Support for the ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ made by Abdullah Öcalan through the DEM Party İmralı Delegation on 27 February continues to grow. The Kurdish leader highlighted the urgent need for democratization and called on the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve itself.

Amed

The Religious Scholars Association (ÂLİM-DER) in Amed (tr: Diyarbakır) made a statement at the association building in the central Bağlar district, saying: “We, as Amed ÂLİM-DER, declare that we support the democratic and peaceful perspective put forward by the leaders with all our strength and we sincerely ask Almighty Allah to ensure the success of this process. An approach that makes peace a belief is the common responsibility of all of us.”

Melle Abdulbari Tiryaki said, “May this blessed month be instrumental for peace. We have suffered a lot.  Now we want an honorable peace.”

İzmir

The Religious Scholars Platform in İzmir made a statement at Kulplu Social Assistance and Solidarity Association in Buca district. Platform spokesperson, Imam Ferzende Deniz, said, “Lasting peace is only possible by ensuring justice, building a society where different identities feel safe and mutual respect prevails. Allah Almighty has created human beings in different languages, colors and tribes, and made this diversity an occasion of wisdom and mercy, not separation. We attach importance to the ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society' in order to build a democratic future for the peoples of Turkey and a belief in living together, to ensure that every belief and culture can live freely and to achieve social peace.”

Ankara

The Religious Scholars Platform in Ankara held a press conference at the DEM Party Ankara Provincial Building and expressed their support for the historic call made by the Kurdish leader. Democratic Islamic Congress (DİK) and Free Women’s Movement (TJA) member Müşerref Geçer, DİK member Mele Zeki Korkmaz, DEM Party Ankara Provincial Co-Chair Fatin Kanat and provincial executives attended the press conference.

Diyadin Fırat, a member of the Religious Scholars Platform, read the statement and said that Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call was instrumental in entering the month of Ramadan with the hope of peace.