― 21 марта 2025 г.
Iftar Dinner hosted by TURKSOY in Ankara on the occasion of Nowruz
The iftar Dinner held in the Gölbaşı district of Ankara started with a reading of the Holy Quran.
The Iftar Dinner hosted by TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev gathered the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador A. Berris Ekinci, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam, the Deputy Chairman and MP of Samsun of the MHP party Mr. Ilyas Topsakal, the Ambassador of Moldova to Ankara H. E. Mr. Dmitri Croitor, SESRIC Director General Zehra Zümrüt Selçuk, the President of the National Commission of Türkiye for UNESCO Prof. Dr. Öcal Oğuz, the President of the Ahmet Cevad Institute Prof. Dr. Ruhi Ersoy and TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf along with rectors of universities as well as diplomats and guests which TURKSOY cooperates with.
Sultan Raev: Ramadan is a period of time when hearts are purified and people confront their souls
In the speech he delivered after the Iftar Dinner, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev said that Ramadan is not just an ordinary month, but a period of time in which people turn inwards, confront their souls and purify their hearts. ‘This month is a sacred period that brings together the hunger of the body with the saturation of the soul and teaches patience, gratitude and compassion. Iftar tables are one of the most meaningful part of this wise journey.’
Nowruz is the essence of Turkic culture
Stating that we have another happiness on this meaningful night, Raev said: ‘Today, March 21st, is the International Nowruz Day. Nowruz is the awakening of nature, the renewal of life, the herald of fertility. At the same time, Nowruz, just like Ramadan, represents a resurrection in the inner world of man. Nowruz is the essence of Turkic culture. It is the ancient symbol of unity, brotherhood and sharing. This tradition, which connects hearts, reminds us that we come from the same root and look up to the same sky.’
In his speech, Deputy Minister A. Berris Ekinci underlined that Nowruz symbolises the rebirth of nature, renewal, friendship and peace for Turks and emphasised that this special day is celebrated on a wide territory reaching from Central Asia to Anatolia and from the Balkans to the Middle East.
Mr. Ekinci further said: ‘Nowruz has always been a symbol of social unity, cooperation and solidarity. This special day advises us to stand together to face challenges and to overcome all kinds of obstacles. together. The common values shared by Turkic peoples are reinforced with Nowruz celebrations.
‘On the occasion of Nowruz, which coincides with the blessed month of Ramadan this year, and this iftar gathering, we once again remember our commitment to our nature, cultural values and unity,’ Ekinci said, adding that they will strengthen the unity and solidarity among the Turkic World through cooperation organisations such as the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) and TURKSOY.
In his speech, Deputy Minister Serdar Çam expressed his happiness to attend the Iftar Dinner hosted by TURKSOY and wished a healthy and peaceful Ramadan and Nowruz to everyıne.
Speaking at the Iftar Dinner, the Deputy Chairman of the MHP party Mr. Ilyas Topsakal said that Ramadan is a source that keeps the society alive and that fasting is a worshipping tradition calling upon people to reflect upon themselves. Stating that Nevruz is a tradition of thousands of years, Mr. Topsakal also stressed that traditional holidays strengthen the unity and solidarity of the Turkic World.
The official speeches were followed by an egg-tossing ceremony which is one of the traditional rituals of the Nowruz Feast.
