The International Islamic Solidarity Symposium organized by Selçuk University Faculty of Islamic Sciences under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey within the scope of Konya 2021 5th Islamic Solidarity Games has started. Approximately 40 papers will be presented on the topics of "Culture and Sports", "Islam and Sports", "Islam and Solidarity" for 2 days.

The opening ceremony of the symposium, organized in cooperation with Selçuk University, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Presidency of Religious Affairs, Konya Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Medeniyet University and Pakistan Hamdard University, took place at Ramada Plaza Konya.

The ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Mustafa Güney, Imam Hatibi of SU Campus Mosque. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ramazan Altıntaş, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences at Selçuk University and Chairman of the Symposium Organizing Committee, stated that they wanted to contribute to the importance of increasing cooperation between Islamic countries in religious, social, political, economic, scientific, intellectual and cultural fields and said, "Approximately 40 papers will be presented and discussed in our symposium, which will last for two days, which will be held with our professors participating from Turkey and abroad, especially from countries such as Pakistan, Malaysia and Uzbekistan."

“OUR UNIVERSITY’S ROLE IS IMPORTANT IN ORGANIZING THE SYMPOSIUM”

Prof. Dr. Halis Yunus Ersöz, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, stated that they started the preparation process for the Islamic Solidarity Games not only to lay the groundwork for sports, but also to develop cooperation, brotherhood and solidarity among Islamic countries and to contribute to the world peace. He said “When we needed to ask our stakeholders, our municipality, our governorship and our university and the preparatory organizing committee for their contributions in this respect, it was soon understood that the university is the most suitable ground for discussing issues such as the importance of sports, the place of sports in our history and the development of the spirit of solidarity through sports activities. In this context, it was decided to organize an effective symposium. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed.”

“ LET OUR BROTHERHOOD AND SOLIDARITY ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN OUR MEMORY”

Konya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mustafa Uzbaş said, “We are experiencing a very different excitement these days in Konya, the city of hearts. We host thousands of our brothers from 56 countries with a hospitality unique to the ancient values of our city. Hopefully, after the games are completed in the best way, this adventure, in which the best examples of brotherhood, tolerance and solidarity are exhibited, will always be remembered with great memories in our minds.”

Prof. Dr. Hacı Ahmet Özdemir, AK Party deputy of Konya, also noted the following statementes: “The Islamic world is very powerful right now, but it is in the position of a person without willpower. What we need to do is to demonstrate this will. The day when the Islamic world, which is unaware of its power even though it lives on the world’s energy resources, mineral resources, agricultural resources and water beds, reveals this will, it will spread goodness, beauty, civilization and all kinds of activities that will please Allah, as in the past. Our duty is to try to save the Islamic world from this mess and to establish the brotherhood that Prophet did.”

“QURAN AND SUNNET IS OUR GREATEST REFERENCE AND OPPORTUNITY”

At the opening, Konya Provincial Mufti Assoc. Prof. Ali Öge, Director General of the Islamic History, Art and Culture Research Center (IRCICA) and Ambassador Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç also gave a speech.

After the opening speeches, President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş gave a conference titled “Future of the Islamic World, Opportunities and Responsibilities”. Expressing that the negative situation of Islamic societies should not lead us to despair, Prof. Dr. Erbaş said, “We have the belief, wisdom and knowledge to solve all our problems. The Qur'an and Sunnah is our greatest reference and opportunity to solve the problems of both ourselves and all humanity. As in the past, our primary responsibility today is to understand the Qur’an and Sunnah correctly, and to carry its messages and principles to our age.”

The opening ceremony was attended by AK Party Konya Deputy Ahmet Sorgun, Konya Deputy Governor Mehmet Aydın, Selçuk University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Tuğrul Polat, lecturers and NGO representatives attended.