Future Global Network (FGN), a Malaysian based Regional Network of Muslim NGOs, dedicated to the peaceful co-existence of humanity, hails the election of Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to the presidency of Turkey as a victory of the whole Turkish people. Having prominently figured as one of the country’s leading politician and statesman, and was always leading in the previous two rounds of the election process, Mr. Gul highly deserves the post.

Turkey, a nation at the crossroads of European and Islamic civilizations, has been aspiring to become a member of the European Union. Apparently some of the EU member-nations are wary of having a member with a Muslim majority population. But with the new President of Turkey at the helm, whatever existing gap between the EU and the Muslim world could now be easily bridged. The anticipated clash of civilizations may even turn into mutual cooperation and peaceful co-existence between Islam and the West as the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is a Turkish national.

Apparently, most of the misunderstandings between Islam and the West have worsened due to a missing link. Turkey is in a most viable position to serve as the missing link.
The Future Global Network therefore congratulates President-elect Abdullah Gul for the well-deserved victory, and looks up to Turkey under his leadership to play an effective role in bridging the gap and providing the missing link between the Islamic world and the West.


AHMAD AZAM ABDUL RAHMAN
Chairman, Future Global Network (FGN)
Cum Chairman, Commission for Social, Humanitarian and Solidarity
Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (UNIW)