Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" announced on February 27 through the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party İmralı Delegation continues to be supported. The government, on the other hand, has not taken any goodwill steps to facilitate the solution of the Kurdish issue after the call. The Amed Religious Scholars Association (ALIM-DER), which announced their support for the call, asked the government and the state to take steps in response to the call. 

 

Dr. Sukru Erdogan emphasized that peace is a need for Kurds and Turks, and said that peace is important for stopping bloodshed in religion. Noting that the will put forward by Abdullah Öcalan, Turkish National Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli and Presiden Tayyip Erdogan is important for this reason, Sukru Erdoğan stressed that the duty of the society is to embrace this will and said, "Because the Middle East is going through a very difficult process. It is clear where the 46 years of war has brought both Kurds and Turks. We hope that this call will be the basis for peace."

 

Stating that the process will not be easy and that the parties should approach it seriously, Erdogan said, “We should learn lessons from the last 46 years. This process cannot work with death, violence and conflict, so everyone in the Middle East, in the world, in Turkey and Kurdistan must protect this process.” 

 

Reminding that Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan made many peace initiatives and a ceasefire was declared in the 90s when the conflicts intensified, association member Molla Abdulgaffur Ates asked the state to be sincere and said, “The press should use the language of peace. Those who talk about this process should speak respectfully. If they are sincere in this process, the process will reach a very good place.” 

 

Pointing to the developments in the Middle East and the world, Ates pointed to the risks of sabotaging the process and said, “According to the spirit of the process that has begun, the guns should be silenced. Warplanes fly over our heads every day, this is against the process. If the state is sincere, the PKK has stated that it will support the process and wants to convene a congress. This should be acted upon. Whoever can do whatever they can to end this war should give their support."

 

'DO NOT LEAVE THE HAND OF PEACE IN THE AIR'

 

Celal Efe, a member of the association, said that the effects of war are not limited to those who fight, “Everyone should reach out for peace. Even the worst peace is better than war. Turks and Kurds have been worn out in this process. The verse says, 'Whoever extends his hand for peace, do not leave his hand in the air'. The tears of women and young people must stop. The deaths must stop. For this reason, all people should shoulder responsibility for this peace process.” 

 

“If there is to be peace, this peace must be filled with fullness” Molla Muhammed Emin Gözönünde said, "Peace is the acceptance of rights, justice and freedom. Peace is to deliver whatever is the right of the person you sit at the table with. But if you do not do this and do your own thing, it cannot be called peace. If there is an honorable peace, everyone will accept it.  If there is peace on one side and attacks on the other side, this is not peace."  

 

Pointing to the devastation of the war, Molla Mahmut Sık said, "We must say enough of this war and the burning of hearts. In this respect, Mr. Öcalan has made a call. We are unconditional supporters of this call."  Stating that the state should also declare a ceasefire in response to the PKK's ceasefire, Sık added, "Peoples should do their best to live together. People must first believe in this peace and be hopeful. For this, everyone should speak for peace in their homes, streets, villages and neighborhoods. We hope that this call will bring historical peace."

 

Molla Mehmet Tekin emphasized that talking about peace with Kurds on the one hand and attacks on Kurds on the other hand will not serve peace and said, “If there is to be peace, there should not be wars and attacks. The government should take more steps for peace. A general amnesty should be announced for political prisoners. There should be no war, no bombing with warplanes. Everyone should support peace to end this war." 

 

Pointing out the importance of the call, Molla Şehmus Kaya stressed: "We don't want to be deceived and persecuted once again under the name of peace. We believe that this time this peace will be permanent. I hope there will be the smell of roses instead of the smell of gunpowder." 

 

MA / Müjdat Can