Turkish PM calls on non-Muslims to confront Islamophobia

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has called on Turkey's non-Muslim community leaders to raise their voice against Islamophobia and all forms of discrimination during a meeting in Istanbul on Jan. 2.

"When we raise our voice against Islamophobia altogether, then we do not only stand against discrimination against Muslims, but we raise our voice against discrimination against all religious identities," said Davutoğlu before a lunch he had with religious leaders in Istanbul. Davutoğlu also condemned recent attacks on mosques in some European states.

Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew; Deputy Armenian Patriarch Archbishop Aram Ateşyan; Chief Rabbi İshak Haleva; Istanbul Syriac Orthodox Church Metropolitan Yusuf Çetin; Turkey's ambassador to the Vatican, Professor Mehmet Paçacı; Monsignor Yusuf Sağ, patriarchal vicar of Turkey for Syrians and Levon Zekiyan of the Apostolic Administrator of the Armenian Archieparchy of Istanbul participated in the lunch at the prime ministerial office in Dolmabahçe Palace.

Religious Affairs Directorate head Mehmet Görmez, Istanbul Mufti Rahmi Yaran and Foundations General Manager Adnan Ertem were also present at the lunch.

Davutoğlu said he hesitated to use the term "minority" as he did not regard any "tradition which lived in these lands" as a foreigner.

"We are all part of a big family and members of established traditions. These two weeks are meaningful as it contained significant days for these traditions," said Davutoğlu referring to Mevlid Kandil, which was to be celebrated Jan. 2, as well as Christmas and Hannukah.

The prime minister also emphasized the importance of equal citizenship in Turkey, saying the state had never regarded any difference between its citizens.