Saturday, January 10, 2009

Give ''Voice to Peace''

-
They are the first beautiful women, but they knew. They knew it is not a ''Lay lay lom...'' world. They knew it is not a world of ''Stuff''.

A Gaza teenager described her tragic life to UNICEF Radio, Yasmin, 16: ''There is no school to go to for education or to learn. There is no safety in the streets. No milk, no cheese. Bread is like gold. I can't even walk out of the door, very dangerous. We want to live. We are human beings and we want to live.''


Wife of our Prime Minister sent a proposal of ''Hand-to-Hand for Palestine'' to the first women of different countries. Because she knew that they are more than enough ability, courage and determination for the vital issues in the world. As she expected, they accepted her appeal. If names are important to you, here is who are they:

First Lady of Syria, Asma Al Assad; First Lady of Spain, Sonsoles Espinosa Diaz; First Lady of France, Carla Bruni Sarkozy; Queen of Jordan, Rania; wife of Lebanon President, Wafa Sleiman; Pakistani Premier's wife, Begum Fauzia Yusuf Raza Gilani; Albanian Premier's wife, Liri Berisha; Bahrainian Premier's wife, Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa; First Lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva; Queen of Qatar, Sheikha Mozah; Queen of Morocco, Lalla Selma; wife of former UK prime minister, Cherie Blair; daughter of Head of State of Libya, Aisha Muammar al-Gaddafi and top model Naomi Campbell.

Today there is the summit of First Ladies of the said
Near Eastern and European countries at Four Seasons Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul! News originally posted at ntv-msnbc

Mrs Erdogan, wife of our Prime Minister, is hosting the First Ladies to launch a joint action for an end to the Israeli offensive on Gaza with an appeal ''Peace in Palestine''.

The dinner is aimed to draw attention to the tragedy in Gaza, while raising
the awareness of the rising number of civilian deaths in the ongoing Israeli attacks. The first ladies will ask for the material, child-protection needs and financial help for the Gazan people in the region, particularly women and children. And, they will also set up their joint Middle East trip that is planned very soon.

This event will be attended by the leading business represe
ntatives and representatives of several public organizations.

I believe that Turkey is the best choice given its involvement in several peacekeeping missions in the Middle East so far, and will continue its best efforts to end the conflict, making sure to construct an international force in the region.


What is in your thoughts that I have no idea, perhaps it's surprising or who knows disturbing but it's also thought-provoking and moving, creative in my opinion: the region would be a peaceful heaven if it were in the hands of only women!



9 comments:

  1. I will second that notion right now, Nihal!! The skills of negotiating that I learned as a mother and helping my children to grow up would make me worthy of keeping peace for sure. I know I could be a good "Ambassodor of Peace" for my area! What an uplifting post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, I know Sandi. I'm so lucky to have readers like you that you ALL are the real 'Ambassadors' of peace, I easily get this feeling from each single of your words. I know.

    Because..

    I don't write here ''to write''. If we were given a chance, if mothers were given a chance I strongly believe it could be a better livable world.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think you are right - Women are much better peacemakers. What is happening in Gaza is heartwrenching. Would that men on both sides would stand down - perhaps the women would mend things.

    ReplyDelete
  4. YES YES! I agree!

    Women for PEACE!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Turkey's loud public responsibility and leadership is really great. I wonder if Turkey's peacemaker efforts and reputation annoy others.
    A very meaningful post Nihal as always. I want to hope for obvious change in the region, we'll see.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oooooh but there are peaceful men too, don't forget that!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another wonderful post! Perhaps the women will bring a fresh perspective to the confict. I salute them for making the effort...and wish them the best.

    I'm wondering how Naomi Campbell has become involved in the event...interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. @ Dick: Damn! Technology does not allow me to make copy-paste of you and disperse everywhere in this world,lol:)
    I know, I know Dick. What hell it would be if there were no peaceful guys on the earth.
    This is the topic that the we being Turkish public reacted more 'sensitively' than others to the developments in Gaza, taking initiative in the international arena. Our sensitivity and sensibility on the issue should be well understood, because what has happened --still going to happen-- is really upsetting! My heart is crying... our hearts crying, crying, crying!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Peace just can't come soon enough, can it? If women were in charge, I expect wars would vanish. xo

    ReplyDelete