A number of Muslim scholars and international Islamic leaders issued a statement on Thursday in which they applauded the position of Turkey towards ending the siege on Gaza and asking for justice for the Palestinian people. They called for the necessity to support Turkey in the media and economically.

The statement was issued by: Dr.Yousef Al Karadawy the President of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, Dr.Abdallah Bin Beih the Head of the Reformation and Guidance Center in Jeddah, the Head of Islam Today Dr.Salman Alouda, Mr.Chakib Bin Makhlouf the President of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe, the Islamic scholar Dr.Mohamed Omara, Dr.Mohamed Alhassan the Head of the Scholar Development Center and Dr.Essam Beshir the Head of the Development Forum in Sudan.

The statement said that the right time had come for Turkey to be a pivot in preserving the international and regional balance and to regain its applauded role in the region.

The Peace flotilla was a giant step and opened the doors to rekindling the interest of the world in the siege on Gaza, and condemning it and attempting to end it. The Turkish people offered their own sons who died believing in the justice of the cause, and a deep commitment to the Islamic faith and Arab neighborhood, and hence they joined all the honorable and noble from all over the world in the blessed flotilla.

Al Jazeera channel mentioned that the statement issued addressed the Islamic and Arab world and urged them to give Turkey media support. Words play a significant role in their reach and effect. Jihad with words and the pen, with expressive pictures, electronic devises, and new media technology are all new legitimate forms, and have an obvious effect on public opinion.

The statement also encouraged establishing a joint economical strategy between Turkey and Arab countries, exchanging industrial goods, commodities and products to be supportive of future ties between the countries of the region.

It also urged companies, institutions and businessmen to benefit from the economic potential of Turkey in industry, construction amongst other fields, and to give it preferential treatment and priority in co ordinance with Shari’ah which decrees cooperation in piety and righteousness and justice and patience. As well as moving towards achieving a very important factor in the enhancement project and cultural formation that would take wisdom from the past, and regain the spirit of brotherhood that used to govern relations amongst Muslims.

The statement urged groups and families that have begun to plan for trips and holidays to various world countries heading towards European countries or the United States which have high touristic attraction, to consider Turkey as a destination where they have mosques and antiquities, ancient history and superb natural scenery.

The statement concluded saying that if a person planned to travel, then Muslim countries should take priority, being more appropriate and closer to cultural and ethical values of the Arab tourist. This also encourages direct communication between the Islamic people; it also introduces them to each other and gives the message of support and appreciation in a spontaneous way rather than the official channels alone. It is also an investment in the public gift in Turkey and other Arab countries.