With the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, the iftar events of the NGOs serving in Belgium have begun. Representatives of NGOs and political parties showed intense interest in the iftar program that was organized.
The iftar program, which began with a recitation of the Holy Quran, was attended by Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib, Belgian Federal Minister responsible for Integration Karine Lalieux, Belgian State Secretary responsible for Migration Nicole de Moor, Brussels Minister of Employment Bernard Clerfayt, Brussels State Secretary Nawal Ben Hamou, Member of Parliament and Mayor of Saint Josse Emir Kır, MÜSİAD Europe Representative Nurdan Ertuğrul , MÜSİAD NRW president Yunus Aslan, Kaya Kocak on behalf of MÜSİAD Netherlands, Türkiye's Ambassador to Brussels Bekir Uysal, Brussels Consul General Umut Deniz .
More than 300 invited guests attended the iftar event. MÜSİAD Belgium President Hayri Apaydın began his opening speech by saying, "I wish that this beautiful month, in which there is friendship, brotherhood, a sense of solidarity and abundance, becomes a means of peace for all humanity”.
Apaydın went on to say, “As is known, a human tragedy is being experienced today in Israel and Palestine, especially in Gaza. Such wars harm the brotherhood of humanity. All countries must ensure a lasting peace and deliver aid as soon as possible to the people who have been condemned to hunger. On this matter, together with the whole world, the Belgian Governments must also show their sensitivity. We believe that Belgian administrators will be sensitive about ensuring peace and about the continuation of aid.” and concluded his words as follows;
As MÜSİAD, we are continuing our work to increase commercial relations between Belgium and Türkiye and to encourage investments. The increase of commercial relations is also important for the solidarity of our societies with one another. Our work continues in every respect for the advancement of the investments that Belgian businessmen will make in Türkiye and that Turkish businessmen will make in Belgium. In the near future, our expectation continues regarding the organization of a business trip / economic mission at royal level together with businesspeople and politicians from Belgium”.
Speaking at the program, Ambassador Uysal stated that he was pleased to attend the iftar organized by MÜSİAD.Drawing attention to the fact that a large number of Belgian politicians also attended the iftar, Uysal explained that he had exchanged views on some important issues, particularly with Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lahbib.In their messages, the speakers emphasized “that the month of Ramadan is an important month for friendship, peace and solidarity, that, as required by the spirituality of Ramadan, feelings of friendship and brotherhood should come to the fore and that all people should carry out work for solidarity and mutual assistance”, and underlined “that humanity should attach importance to living together in environments free of war and full of peace and that common cultural values should be protected”.In addition, it was stated that “the attacks of Israel in Palestine, directed at Gaza, which are particularly on the agenda, are unacceptable and that urgent aid must be provided for the people who have been victimized by this war, especially those massacred and left to hunger”, and it was emphasized that politicians must do their part for a permanent ceasefire in the region to be implemented urgently and for the environment of peace to be preserved.
