Special Advisor to the President on International Relations and Diplomacy, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal, represents TRNC at the International Conference on Islamophobia in Azerbaijan
Special Advisor to the President on International Relations and Diplomacy, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal, has represented the TRNC at the “International Conference on Islamophobia” held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 8-9 March 2024.
The conference, which was titled: “Embracing Diversity: Tackling Islamophobia in 2024”, was co-organised by the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, Azerbaijan’s Centre of Analysis of International Relations (AIR), the G20 Interfaith Dialogue Forum, and the Baku Initiative Group. The event was attended by more than 130 representatives including scientists, experts of international organisations, religious leaders and non-governmental organisations from 32 countries.
Prof. Dr. Işıksal addressed the conference about the plight of the Turkish Cypriot People and the inhumane and unlawful isolation and restrictions imposed on them in the context of Islamophobia.
At the start of his speech, Prof. Dr. Işıksal thanked the organisers for this “important and timely conference” and conveyed the warm greetings of President Ersin Tatar to all the participants.
Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots have equal inherent rights and are a sovereign people with an independent State,” Prof. Dr. Işıksal said: “The Turkish Cypriot People were expelled from the 1960 Republic of Cyprus partnership state by force of arms, after refusing to become a minority and live under the sovereignty of the Greek Cypriot Side and as a result have been subjected to inhumane and unlawful isolation. The isolation has prevented Turkish Cypriot People from being able to benefit from basic human rights such as freedom to travel, direct trade and being able to participate in international sports and cultural activities – which are issues that should not be mixed with politics.”
Emphasising that President Ersin Tatar has been putting forward a position on sovereign equality and equal international status since coming to office, Prof. Işıksal stated that “these are not demands, but existing inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot People,” adding that “President Tatar is putting forward constructive proposals aimed at ending the unjust isolation and oppression of the Turkish Cypriot People”.
Giving information about the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Prof. Dr. Işıksal added: “The TRNC has all the features necessary for the running of a state. We have our own Presidency, Legislature, Judiciary, Police force, security forces, democratic institutions and organisations. Our country has representative offices in 20 countries across the world. We are ready to integrate with the world in every aspect and have a newly opened state of the art terminal building at Ercan Airport. Our country prides itself with numerous higher education institutions and universities as well as tourism facilities.”
“I wish to use this opportunity to state that the TRNC expects tangible support from Muslim countries with regards to the ending of our isolation,” Prof. Dr. Işıksal said, stressing: “It is difficult to achieve a result unless Islamic countries put aside individual interests and put forth a struggle for common interests.”
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Işıksal emphasised that the sacred and honourable struggle of the Turkish Cypriot People on the island “is not only for our own cause, but also against those who try to make the Turkish and Muslim identity forgotten on this island”, and he called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to make the TRNC a full member.