01.01.2017 Ankara
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu issued a statement regarding the bloody attack in İstanbul on New Year’s Eve, “Whatever the source, terror is the enemy of mankind. It is the enemy of brotherhood, life and bright dreams. These bullets, fired at the unity of our country, the hearts of innocent people, will be remembered as a crime against humanity in the blackest pages of history. "
Hisarcıklıoğlu's
message included the following views:
“After a bitter year,
we wished for peace in 2017. We wanted fresh beginnings and brotherhood. But
terror once again showed that it was an enemy of humanity.
These murders, which
cannot be condoned by any belief, politics or goal are a crime against
humanity; they are savagery. We condemn this act on behalf of the Turkish
business community.
The aim of terrorism,
whatever the source, is not only our country’s but also the world's greatest
problem. All conscientious people must stand hand in hand with all kinds of
terrors in a common struggle.
Terrorism’s antidote
is unity and solidarity. We stand with our government in its fight against
terror to the end.
These terror nests
will ultimately understand that we are an indivisible whole, that we are
connected to each other with an unshakable belief and that we will not be dissolved
by any death threat.
I pray for the grace
of Allah upon those who have lost their lives in the attack, and hope for the
speedy recovery of the wounded. We extend our condolences.”