We know Türkiye is not alone

The examples of solidarity witnessed in Muslim countries and the Turkic world in the wake of the earthquake disaster were truly touching. Of course, the countries that sent aid to Türkiye were not limited to the Turkic world and the Islamic region. Numerous countries, spanning Latin America and the Far East took action. We are all obligated to take note of these solidarity examples, which are based on volunteerism. We are already able to cooperate almost under any circumstance with the Islamic countries we have strong friendship and brotherhood ties, such as Qatar and Pakistan. We cannot appreciate the value of this enough. We must also recognize those in every corner of the Islamic region who share the same sentiments as Türkiye. It would be wrong to identify this as a union of faith. Clearly, the memories we inherited from the past in relation to Türkiye are being refreshed. The Turkic world in particular set an important example of solidarity following the earthquakes. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan have now left an unforgettable mark in Türkiye’s history. Even Afghanistan sent aid to Türkiye.

Of course, Türkiye is a big state, but solidarity is necessary at such times regardless of power. Een feeling that we are not alone holds great value. Every country’s help is priceless and cannot be replaced by another.

Azerbaijan requires a special mention regarding solidarity with Türkiye. Our memories of solidarity with the Caucasus Turks during times of such great disasters, since the start of the last century, is always fresh. There was even a magazine published in 1917 in South Caucasus with the title, “Kardaş Kömeği” (brotherly help). In the following period, the Caucasus Islamic Army saved Baku from Russian, Armenian, and British occupation. In fact, when Caucasus Islamic Army troops started to gather in Ganja, there is a scene where a Turkish child who survives the Armenian massacre in East Anatolia comes across his father among the soldiers. One cannot help but get emotional. Such historical events are significant in terms of understanding the present.

We see examples of history repeating itself. As a matter of fact, Azerbaijan and Türkiye’s solidarity today is massive. The solidarity between Azerbaijani and Turkish states are now discussed in accordance with their regional political outcomes. This indicates quite advanced relations between the two states, and the Organization of Turkic States was built upon these relations as well. There is no doubt that Azerbaijan-Türkiye relations have an important role in the fact that we are discussing Türkiye’s geopolitical depth. We need to underline one other matter that is as important as the cooperation and convergence or axis between the two states: The mass solidarity among the children of these two nations. The union between Anatolian and Caucasus Turks could not have possibly been prevented even if anyone tried. This is a movement and has taken precedence over politics. It is not difficult to guess that this movement will be discussed at a more advanced level.

Iranian Azerbaijan’s efforts after the earthquake disaster were to the extent of its power. The story of an Azerbaijani Turk was not mentioned much in our media. A volunteer who set off from the East Azerbaijan city of Ahar tells his own story. He recently married off his daughter and had no money. His wife told him he needed to take action for Türkiye. So, he took his daughter’s gold bracelets with him and came to Türkiye. He says that after crossing into Türkiye, everyone helped him reach the earthquake area. There are many such examples. These are extremely important events, and they provide an idea about our region’s future.

There are certain questions that need to be answered by those who are on a witch hunt due to the earthquake disaster. Are they asking these questions because they truly did not see the state on the ground, or are they taking an organizational or ideological position? These questions must be answered. We need to eliminate any suspicion that they may have a different agenda. We need to see the same solidarity we see abroad among us as well. We must not allow a small group to drag Türkiye behind it. We need to view dependent groups’ Türkiye agenda in a different light. These groups cannot be recognized within the opposition between science and religion, progressivist and reactionist, pro-West and conservative, and secular and anti-secular.

We need to carefully follow examples of changing mindsets both domestically and abroad. We must now allow the extremely limited number of individuals and groups or organizations to sabotage all this.