Page 180 - A Call for a Turkish-Islamic Union

A CALL FOR A TURKISH-ISLAMIC UNION

aid packages to the affected regions. And, this aid often does not

reach its intended recipients due to the failures of the underde-
veloped nation's system and their mafia or gang-type organiza-
tions. All of these must be eradicated, and a new mentality based
on conscience and common sense must be nurtured through
mass education campaigns.
When wastefulness is prevented, when solidarity develops
and sharing is encouraged, and especially when people have

learned to be guided by their conscience, such economic imbal-
ances can be eradicated. The most suitable structure to imple-
ment these solutions will be the Turkish Islamic Union.

Private and Individual Rights Must Be e
Private and Individual Rights Must B
Just and Respected
Just and Respected
In a society shaped by true Islamic morality, individual rights
and freedoms are very important. Personal rights and freedoms are

guaranteed so that people can live a free and dignified life. Allah
has revealed in the Qur'an that all people are equal in His Presence,
for superiority is based upon one's awareness of Allah, and He
commands Muslims to be just, compassionate, forgiving, and un-
derstanding toward people. Therefore, they must respect differ-
ences and be fair when evaluating them.
Our Prophet's (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)

practices in the first Islamic society (Madinah) have shown the way
for all Muslims with regard to social structure and governance. The
"Constitution of Madinah," considered the Muslims' first constitu-
tion, reflects an advanced level of understanding of law and exem-
plifies Islamic society's sense of justice and individual rights. Under
it, all people of whatever religion were given their fundamental
rights and freedoms, and people's property, life, family, and places

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