IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation paid visits to some non-governmental organizations and universities in Japan on the first anniversary of a powerful earthquake and tsunami, which hit the country.
Thousands of people died and thousands of others were injured when Japan was hit by a powerful earthquake and tsunami last March. The disaster led to large-scale destruction in the country. Many people also went missing in the aftermath of the disaster. In order to take relief to the disaster-stricken people, IHH set out for Japan one day after the disaster with its emergency aid teams and took various aid items to the Japanese people.
IHH deputy President Ümit Sönmez, executive board member Atty. Gülden Sönmez and Nalan Dal, who is responsible for developing institutional cooperation abroad, visited Japan Islamic Trust, Peace Winds Japan, Kyoto Islamic Center, Kyoto University and Doshisha University where they had meetings and talks with officials from these institutions.
IHH officials also held talks with Professor Noriko Oyamada who makes researches on the civil society organizations where Muslims work. IHH officials informed the professor about the foundation’s regional and universal relief activities.
Director of Japan Islamic Trust M. Arifin Akira Nagai warmly welcomed the IHH team. A meeting was organized at Otsuka masjid, the masjid of the foundation, where information about the IHH and its activities was offered to Muslims and others.
Officials from the Peace Winds Japan, Mari Poorman and Mayako Ushida, received particular information about the IHH’s relief efforts in Japan and in Somalia.
Professor Masanori Naito from the Doshisha University surprised our team not only with his fluency in Turkish but also with his close interest in our country, region and religious beliefs.
After an introduction of the IHH, Professor Kosugi Yasushi in Kyoto informed the IHH team about his own studies. The IHH team found Yasushi’s studies interesting as his areas of interest were regions with Muslim population in Asia and Africa.
The conclusion made at all meetings and talks is that Turkish and Japanese people should come closer to each other and develop joint projects for the good of the humanity.
