By Annisa Essack
09:04:2022

The Republic of Turkey, together with the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation with the cooperation of Jamiatul Ulama of South Africa, began the 2022 Ramadan Program organised by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of Türkiye.

The event was held in Azaadville on the West Rand with Social Affairs Counselor and Representative of Diyanet (Religious Affairs) of Turkey in SA, Mr Ahmet Yilmaz, and the Turkish Ambassador to South Africa Ayşegül Kandaş in attendance.

Mr Ahmet Yilmaz addressed the hundreds of sisters who were invited to the event and were recipients of the food packages made possible by donations from the Turkish government and citizens.

He said the Turkish saw it as their debt to deliver the trusts they received from their nations to their brothers across the world.

Mr Yilmaz said, “although there were borders and distances between our countries, as your brothers who live in Türkiye, we believe that our hearts are always with you.”

Mrs Ayşegül Kandaş, spending her first Ramadan in South Africa, explained that the Turkish government, in partnership with the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, has undertaken to assist more than 83 countries worldwide, including South Africa. Four hundred and fifty packages were distributed to needy families at the event.

The Ambassador also had the opportunity to interact with the sisters attending the event, which she described as “sharing the space of giving and receiving; it is about love and helping each other.” She also eluded that the project would be continued to other parts of South Africa during Ramadan and to continue the initiative into the future.

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