Turkish businessmen have first iftar with Syrian refugees in Hatay

A group of Turkish businessmen join an iftar dinner with Syrian refugees in Kilis province. They also visited the homes of Syrian refugees and handed out food packages and listen to Syrian problems. (Photo: Cihan)
A group of Turkish businessmen join an iftar dinner with Syrian refugees in Kilis province. They also visited the homes of Syrian refugees and handed out food packages and listen to Syrian problems. (Photo: Cihan)


Date posted: July 11, 2013

A group of Turkish businessman traveled to Kilis province on Wednesday to join an iftar dinner with Syrian refugees, according to media reports.

Members of the Florya Businessmen’s Association (FİADER) of Istanbul, representatives from the Kimse Yok Mu charity, Kilis Governor Süleyman Tapsız and more than 220 businessmen from various organizations attended the iftar with Syrian refugees. The iftar was hosted by the Kilis Governor’s Office.

The members of the Turkish businessmen’s group visited the homes of refugees and handed out food packages. The businessmen also listened to the problems facing the Syrian refugees before breaking their fast. The group then sat down for the iftar at a soup kitchen established for Syrian refugees by Kimse Yok Mu.

After iftar, one of the Syrian refugees gave a speech in Turkish, saying: “We are refugees here and you have left your homes and your children and you have come here to have iftar with us. We are very happy and grateful for what you have done for us.”

Taha Holding CEO İsmail Kısacık also spoke. “What we have seen here shows us the tragedy of our Syrian brothers, who have been suffering from a civil war which broke out in their country. It is time to help them as much as possible and I want to express my thanks to everyone who has been there for our Syrian brothers and sisters and helped them.”

Süvari Clothing Board of Directors Chairman Ahmet Coşkun also said: “We clearly understood how much the Syrians, who have been staying here for quite some time, are in need and everyone should immediately begin to help our brothers here. I will do my best to help the Syrian people, who are very much in need.”

Governor Tapsız also gave a speech, saying: “I want to thank all of you for coming here to share the joy of Ramadan with us. On behalf of our Syrian refugees, we are truly grateful and appreciate your help and your kind visit here.”

Nur Textile Board of Directors Chairman Muzaffer Durmuşoğlu also said: “When we saw what conditions our Syrian brothers and sisters have to live in, we clearly understood their situation here. For the last two years, our state and many charities, like Kimse Yok Mu, have done many things for the Syrian people and continue their humanitarian work. This is why we wanted to come here to help the Syrian people. We cannot solve all their problems but we can still share their pain. May God bless them and everyone who helps them.”

Source: Today's Zaman , July 11, 2013


Related News

66 U.S. senators sign letter asking Turkey to release Pastor Andrew Brunson

The letter, signed by 43 Republicans and 23 Democrats, warned that the U.S. may decide to take unspecified measures” to ensure that Turkish government “respects the rights” of U.S. citizens to remain in Turkey without fear of being persecuted.

Silencing Taraf daily

The liberal Taraf daily, where I write a column, is one of the few independent newspapers in this country. Those who don’t know the Turkish media well need to know that media outlets are largely owned by private holdings which have close ties to the government. Thus, Turkish newspapers need to consider whether their reporting would harm their bosses’ business connections with the government.

Erdoğan’s abstract enemies: parallel organization and superior mind

Totalitarian regimes rely on their ability to manufacture enemies. In his New Year message, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan referred to a host of “external enemies” and “traitors.” The ruling party characterizes these traitors as the “parallel organization” and “superior mind.” The phrases “parallel state” and “Pennsylvania organization” are used synonymously with the “parallel organization” as well.

Bank Asya shares skyrocket after trading resumes

The Islamic bank has been in the spotlight since Turkish media reported that state-owned companies and institutional depositors loyal to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had withdrawn TL 4 billion ($1.8 billion), or some 20 percent of the bank’s total deposits, because the bank’s founders include sympathizers of cleric Fethullah Gülen, a former-ally-turned-critic of Erdoğan.

Hizmet school ready to pioneer education in Kurdish

Following the decision to allow education in languages other than Turkish in private schools, as part of the democratization package recently unveiled by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a private school run by Gülen movement volunteers said it is ready to start education in Kurdish once such a law is introduced.

KADİP’s 1st international photography contest held for peace

The Intercultural Dialogue Platform (KADİP) of the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) announced the winners of its very first international photography contest, “Peace in the frame,” at a gala on Tuesday night at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in İstanbul.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Bediüzzaman on the Armenian issue

Russian scholar: Gülen promotes peaceful education for a world mired in conflict

Deputy PM threatens Taraf daily, Baransu for covering controversial MGK docs

Yet another woman detained due to Gülen links shortly after delivery

Orange County’s Anatolian Festival: A Meeting of Worlds

Another woman faces detention just after giving birth as police await at hospital

Fountain Magazine goes digital with 92nd edition

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News