Turkish businesswomen raise 2 mln liras for families of terror victims

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

A fundraising event headed by the Turkish Business Women’s Association (TİKAD) has raised more than 2 million Turkish Liras for families who have lost their loved ones in terror acts. 

Speaking at the event in Istanbul on April 29, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, said some 40,000 people had died in the past 35 years due to terrorist attacks conducted by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). 

“Whatever we do, we cannot bring back their beloved ones. But we may soothe their pains a little and prepare their children a better future,” said Erdoğan, adding that it was the time to mobilize for the families of the terror victims and make donations for the TİKAD Love Road campaign. 

“Our state is doing everything to fight against terror. God willing, we have come to the end of the road. Terror is deemed to disappear in its own darkness,” she added. 

Armed clashes between Turkey and the PKK restarted in July 2015 after an over two-year-long cease-fire and resolution process, following continuous violent outbursts between the two since the mid-1980s.

Also speaking at the event, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s wife, Sare Davutoğlu, said, “We do not believe that any reason can prove terror right or that any case can show a terrorist as innocent. We defend that terror is a crime against humanity wherever it comes from and whatever its aims are.”  

“If we preserve our unity and brotherhood as a nation, no one can harm us,” she said. 

Hürriyet Chairwoman Vuslat Doğan Sabancı was among the people who got placards for donating to the fund, where a photo was also taken of all the participants. 

Though it has raised more than 2 million liras, the TIKAD Love Road campaign is still open for donations. 

Turkish Environment and Urbanization Minister Fatma Güldemet Sarı also said that ministries work 24/7 to relieve the pains of terror victims. She said the spirit of unity to heal the wounds of citizens who have been victims of terror is prevalent in Turkey. 

TİKAD head Nilüfer Bulut said as a Turkish citizen, she could not remain insensitive to terror acts, adding that the reason for wars erupting recently around the world was due to people losing their love and affections.