By Christine de Kock
A TURKISH community leader in the City of Maribyrnong is lobbying for the inclusion of Turkish Muslims at future national Islamic summits.
Prime Minister John Howard and government officials met last week with Islamic leaders from various community, cultural and academic backgrounds to discuss ways in which they could share Australian values and prevent extremist behaviour.
Spokesperson for the Australia Light Foundation Fatih Yargi, of West Footscray, said the summit was attended by representatives from a number of Islamic countries but they did not include Turkey.
“We were disappointed,” Mr Yargi said.
“There are hundreds of thousands of people of Turkish background in Australia, but they were not represented.
“We’re the only Islamic country that is run by a democracy and we want to contribute to the summit.
“We are Muslim, we also believe in democracy, we also believe in human rights and we condemn any sort of terror.”
He said the Turkish community, like so many other Islamic communities in Australia, had much to gain by working towards harmony.
Federal Member for Gellibrand Nicola Roxon last week wrote to Prime Minister John Howard.
In her letter she asked that the Turkish Islamic community be included at future summits.
“Turkey is a democracy and ally, and although a predominately Muslim nation, has a secular constitution and government,” Ms Roxon wrote.
“It has considerable experience in dealing with religious extremism and in fostering religious tolerance.
“Representation from the Turkish community would therefore provide a valuable perspective at this forum.”
Ms Roxon told the Star that she wrote the letter after Mr Yargi approached her with his concerns.
“Gellibrand has a substantial TurkishAustralian community, and also Muslims from other countries like Lebanon and the Horn of Africa,” she said.
“My office has regular contact over issues that concern the Turkish and Muslim communities, generally.
“Over the past years, I have held discussions with several groups –and many individuals – about terrorism, changes to ASIO powers and public safety, particularly for Muslim women wearing traditional head gear,” Ms Roxon said.
