Saadet Party Istanbul Provincial Women's Youth Branch came together and signed a series of programs on the occasion of October 4, World Animal Day.
Members of Saadet Party Istanbul Provincial Women's Youth Branch distributed food to stray animals at various points in Istanbul.
After the event, Mesude Dönmez, Head of the Istanbul Provincial Women's Youth Branch of the Saadet Party, made a press statement.
Emphasizing that animals have the right to live as well as humans, Mesude Dönmez gave the example of cat hospitals established during the Ottoman period and stated that animal rights have been respected in these lands since the past.
“IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO ANIMALS INCREASED FURTHER IN OTTOMAN TIME”
Saadet Party Istanbul Provincial Women's Youth Branch Chairwoman Mesude Dönmez pointed out that people do not live alone on earth.
"Since the world was founded, animals and plants, which are beings living together with humans on earth, have helped human beings in the life of this world and continue to do so. World Animal Day was declared on October 4, 1931, in order to realize that animals have the right to live as well as humans. Many Turkish sanjaks had animal figures. The importance given to animals increased even more during the Ottoman period with the advent of Islam," she said.
“WE ARE A NATION SENSITIVELY ATTACHED TO ITS VALUES”
Mesude Dönmez stated that they are responsible for all living things as per their belief.
"With the awareness that we are responsible for all living things as per our belief, we insist that every living thing has the right to live. We are a nation that is sensitively committed to its values, and it is our primary duty to carry the legacy of love, compassion and justice from our ancestors to future generations. It is a matter of conscience that every individual should remember to protect and take care of innocent living things that add color and benefit to our lives that Allah has entrusted to us. In this context, we support the Animal Protection Law and hope that the rights of animals will be established as soon as possible," she added.
"THERE WERE CAT HOSPITALS IN THE OTTOMAN PERIOD"
In the continuation of Mesude Dönmez's statement, "How much importance was given to animals in the Ottoman Empire, from the kebab days organized for stray animals, the establishment of cat hospitals, the foundations established for animals and trees, bird houses, hospitals established for storks injured while migrating, those assigned to feed tame and wild animals, and the overburden for mounts. We can understand from the penalties given to the uploaders. Due to the sensitivity of Islam on this issue; It is obvious that many orders and prohibitions have been brought to protect the rights of animals such as not to torture animals, not to carry loads that they cannot bear, not to separate the babies from their mothers, not to make them fight by making them a recreational vehicle, not to be left without food and water," she stated.