BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 14. Amid global
challenges and a crisis of values, it is important to strengthen
cooperation among Turkic states in the religious, cultural and
spiritual spheres, Türkiye’s Minister of Religious Affairs Safi
Arpaguş said at the seventh meeting of Muslim religious leaders of
the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Trend’s correspondent reports from the
event.


He noted that the OTS has already become an important strategic
alliance and that meetings of the heads of religious affairs and
religious authorities of member states should not be limited to
political and economic issues.


“These meetings should be viewed as a strategic consultation
platform that ensures unity in the social, cultural and spiritual
spheres. Such meetings are important for reviving religious,
historical and cultural ties and developing common views and
approaches to counter the negative effects of globalization,” he
emphasized.


Arpaguş added that attempts to associate Islam with violence and
terrorism, as well as systematic pressure, hate speech and
xenophobia against Muslims in various parts of the world, are a
cause for concern.


“As Turkic states, we must develop common positions and
strategies against all harmful trends that could threaten our
stability and internal security.







It is important to increase the exchange of experience among
religious institutions of the Turkic states,” he said.


The seventh meeting of the heads of Muslim religious authorities
of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is
being held in Baku on September 14. The meeting will discuss
further strengthening cooperation among Muslim religious
institutions, protecting and strengthening the family institution,
Islam’s approach to science and technology, as well as other
pressing issues.


The meeting of the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious
Authorities of OTS member states is attended by the heads of
religious institutions from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus.


Overall, the event has brought together state, academic and
religious figures representing 40 countries and 15 international
organizations.