"Stories Narrated", The Second Family Life Conference, which was opened at a hotel in Istanbul, is scheduled to last for two days. The conference aims to strengthen the family's pioneering role in society by providing real experiences and stories about family lives from women who have cared for their families and lead a better life. The First Conference themed “Breaking Point” was held in Istanbul in 2016 with the participation of more than 500 expert guests from 36 countries as well as international institutions and humanitarian associations.AK Party’s Deputy of Sinop and President of the Lebanese Friendship Group Nazım Maviş, AK Party Istanbul Deputy and Palestine Friendship Group President Hasan Turan, Mufti of Moscow Sheikh Ildar Alyautdinov, President of the World Family Organization Deisi Kusztra, Secretary General of IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation Durmuş Aydın, Director of Technical Funds of Kuwait General Secretariat Lina Elmuttava, Lebanese Ghirass Society Development Association Chairman Sami Elhatip and other international guests took part in the program.
“The struggle against ignorance, poverty and discord is a must”
Speaking at the opening, Nazım Maviş pointed out the importance of the conference and stated that a common awareness and sensitivity will be built on family and problems will be discussed on the basis of the ummah. Maviş stated:
“This conference is very important for the strengthening of civil mobility. Strengthening civil initiatives that is independent of governments is one of our desires. Here we build a common awareness. Above all, as the ummah, we are talking about our own problems. We have to fight ignorance, poverty and discord. There are huge tragedies taking place in the Islamic geography. It's in our hands to change that. If we act with our Islamic identity, we will be able to say ‘stop’ to terrorism and conflict all together. Unfortunately, family is in the center of the tragedies, which we have been exposed to for 100 years. Women are left to bear the biggest burden of this destruction. We no longer want our women to be widows and our children to be orphans.”
“Protecting the family is equivalent to protecting humanity”
Hasan Turan stated that protecting the family is equivalent to protecting humanity, the future, generations and the world. Pointing out that families face a great threat as a result of war, poverty, famine, unfair distribution and occupations, Turan continued:
"Millions of families in the world face the danger of hunger. Many families have come to the point of separation and fragmentation; they lost their existence and integrity. Many of these families are from the Muslim world. As a result of the insatiable appetite of Westerners, many families live in predicament in the Muslim world. Every time we take a step towards a solution, global actors of the world are immediately in front of us. If they show their desires and willingness to protect the family that is the foundation of the society, maybe we will not suffer these problems on earth."
“We are finding development strategies”
Durmuş Aydın stated that family that constitutes the core of the society has started to remain in the shadow of the troubles and problems surrounding the whole world countries in general and the Islamic world in particular. Aydin said, "Our institution which aims to meet the basic needs of every needy in order to protect the family, which is the guarantee of the present and the future, provides; food, health, housing, water, hygiene, education, as well as construction of permanent work in several regions. In IHH, we are in search of development strategies so that the people of the regions can reach a level where they no longer need humanitarian aid." Aydın completed his speech as follows:
“In IHH we believe that we can overcome, shoulder to shoulder, all the problems that threaten the family establishment and set a barrier for the family to fulfill its most sacred duty in society. This way, the uninterrupted development of the family will become an inclusive and complete structure for individuals and society. ”
“We need a world of peace”
Dr. Deisi Kusztra said that families are the group that are most affected by conflicts in the world. Kusztra, who stated that focusing on the fundamental problems of family could create a peaceful generation, pointed out the importance to inherit a good world for the children. Kusztra said: "We need to ensure the welfare of the families. Different cultures should come together. We need a world of peace. Our priority is to achieve this. We have to fight for it”.
“We cannot distance ourselves from the values of Islam”
Sheikh Ildar Alyautdinov said: I greet you on behalf of the Muslims of Moscow. 70 percent of those married in Russia are getting divorced because they don't know the concept of family. We forgot to take care of the poor, oppressed, widows and orphans. We have to fulfill this responsibility. We must raise our children and young people with Islamic morality. We should not move away from the values of Islam.
Aims of the Conference
- Contribute to activities to improve the quality of life of the family and, in particular, the quality of life in families that are struggling to confront difficulties of war or conflict or in strict asylum conditions and also the families that are managed by women. Also, with this aim, to finance projects aimed at development, housing, education, health and sustainable development.
- To draw attention to the large gap between developed societies in our region and undeveloped societies in terms of quality of life and its impact on the family.
- To initiate social initiative and supervision to improve the quality of life of families living in difficult conditions and conflict areas, and in particular, the families that are managed by women.
- To draw attention to the negative effects of war and conflict; to concentrate on the quality of life of families living in these environments.
- To give information about the successful experiences of countries that provide a quality life to their own people and families.
