Sometimes you see a bad thing but
it is actually good for you. Sometimes you see something good but actually it
is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not.
Sadness and hopelessness are feelings that are not acceptable
among the faithful. If you are a true believer you are always supreme. Those who
have sabr – patience and perseverance
can achieve success.
Malaysia and Turkey have mutual
elements in their goals, Malaysia has visions for 2020, as Turkey does for
2023. We aim to be a country that produces its own warplanes, manufacture its
own satellites and then to be able to send these satellites out to space on our
own. Now Turkey produces 60% of its own military equipments. Turkey can achieve
its vision 2023. I strongly believe that we will achieve this goal by 2023.
Young Turkish people were very
patient during the 80’s. These young Turkish people had to go to other
countries and learn the knowledge and culture of those host countries for
example Malaysia and USA.
Malaysia has supported Turkey
during hard times. Malaysia and Malaysian universities have sided by Turkey
during its hard times. A large number of Turkish students have studied in
Malaysian universities while retaining their values and beliefs (post February
28 1997 military coup). Turkish students
suffered pressures, prohibitions and restrictions at that time, and the
headscarf ban on female Turkish students during and after the February 28
process. Malaysian universities were the
universities where Turkish students freely studied at that time.
The government has lifted the
"meaningless" prohibitions and restrictions in Turkish universities. The
headscarf issue has been on the agenda of Turkish politics for more than three
decades since it was banned in Turkish universities in 1984. Since then many
attempts to abolish the ban on wearing headscarves in state institutions and
universities have failed. The declaration on September 30 of the Democratization
Package, which opened the gates of state institutions to women wearing
headscarves. It also introduced a number of reforms regarding political rights.
There can be no science where
there is no freedom. No results can be achieved for the sake of humanity, if
there is no freedom. The soul of science comes from freedom. We have proven
that the headscarf is not a barrier to science. Without freedom, one cannot
speak about science.
Islamic learning centres gave the
direction to science. These centres become the centres of knowledge of the
world. Freedom exists in the Muslim
countries during those days. The Sultan
of Kedah Sultan Muzaffar Shah opened up the door to Islam.
It must be emphasized - the
importance of world peace and also the importance of mutual respect and
cooperation among world countries. Winning people’s hearts is our priority both
in our domestic and international politics. Justice is the starting point for
Turkish politics.
Since Turkey and Malaysia are on opposite ends of
Asia, mutual efforts against terrorism, racism and Islamophobia, will be a
great assistance to regional and global peace.
We can build the future based on
our history. We have to build confidence
in ourselves. Walls exists between our hearts. We have to demolish these walls.
We can strengthen our brotherhood. Malaysia has an exceptional place in Muslim
countries. We believe Malaysia is close to Turkey.
Turkey is also your country.
Turkey has 99 universities. We welcome Malaysians to come to study in Turkey.
Science doesn't recognize race or borders. We come from the same civilization.
We can achieve this together. With the will of Allah we can all be successful
together.
(Edited acceptance speech by Mr.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey at International Islamic University
Malaysia Special Convocation for Conferment of the Honorary Doctorate Degree in
Management and "Transforming Eastern Asia - Pacific Region and
Turkey" conference )
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