Recai Kutan, President of the Economic and Social Research Center (ESAM), reminding that there was cooperation between neighbors in the neighborhoods during the past Ramadan months, pointed out that people continue this process through associations rather than cooperating closely, and said, “Sharing the food cooked in a house was a tradition because it was thought that the smell of the food is gone and neighbors desire it. The food was also offered to the neighbors, saying, particular attention was paid to families with lower incomes and more limited means. This cooperation would manifest itself much more intensely in the spiritual climate of Ramadan. While we used to be able to reach people in need in our neighborhood, today we can reach out from one continent to another with organizations like our Cansuyu Association. This means a lot,” he said.
Sir, we have reached the blessed month of Ramadan, the sultan of the 11 months. Can you tell us what this blessed month means for you and the Islamic world?
First of all, the beginning of the month of Ramadan is mercy, the middle is forgiveness, and the end is salvation. I pray that it will bring peace, tranquility and happiness to Islamic world. The month of Ramadan has many significances for Muslims. The most important of these is that the Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan. On the other hand, Ramadan is not just about fasting. It is also about having good manners. Hungry means to understand the situation of the poor, to reach out to the oppressed and the needy. By fasting in the month of Ramadan, we first of all interrogate ourselves, tidy ourselves up, and make an effort to serve Allah Almighty properly and to be a person in accordance with Allah Almighty's consent. Again, we give fitra in Ramadan, and we give zakat to coincide with this blessed month based on its wisdom. This is an important possibility and opportunity in terms of the social balance of the society, as well as worship.
How was Ramadan in your childhood? Are there any interesting memories that you can't forget?
At that time, of course, the culture of cooperation and solidarity was much stronger, especially in the neighborhoods.
The name of the neighborhood where our childhood passed is Sancaktar. It is the neighborhood. This neighborhood brought up distinguished figures who would have an impact on Turkish political life in the future. Turgut Özal, Korkut and Yusuf Özal, Oğuzhan Asiltürk, Hamit Fendoğlu (Hamido) are the children of Sancaktar District. 5 mayors of Malatya came from this neighborhood. Like all neighborhoods, the most important feature of the Sancaktar District was the harmony, accord and solidarity among its neighbors. In every sweet and bitter event, all the residents of the neighborhood would be together. The food cooked in a house was definitely served to the neighbors in case the smell was gone and they were tempted. Particular attention was paid to families with lower incomes and more limited means. This cooperation would manifest itself much more intensely in the spiritual climate of Ramadan.
As far as we know, your deceased father, Mr. İsmail, is one of the well-known names of Malatya?
My father, İsmail Kutan, was a primary school teacher. Even now, he was the head teacher of Gazi Primary School, which is the biggest primary school in Malatya. He was a loved and respected name. Some of my father's students held important positions in Turkish politics. The first names that come to my mind are: Hasan Celal Güzel, Yusuf Özal, Metin Emiroğlu, Temel Karamollaoğlu. My father, may God have mercy on him, was a very helpful person. He organized the businessmen who were his former students, and provided the clothes and shoes of the poor children at the school. Again, with the meals he obtained from wealthy families, he would make these poor children eat delicious meals.
From your statements, we understand that feelings of cooperation and solidarity were experienced intensely in your childhood…
In the past, we always paid attention to helping and solidarity, but these sensitivities were more in Ramadan. However, with the development of technology and the change of the era, the boundaries of cooperation and solidarity have also expanded. In the past, we were able to reach and help our next-door neighbors, the people in need in our neighborhood or town. But now, humanitarian aid is also available to the needy in another continent. We can easily extend our hand through organizations. In this sense, our Cansuyu Aid Organisation undertakes an important mission. Thanks to humanitarian aid organizations, we are delivering our aid to Africa, Gaza, Arakan, Syria and other regions where there are dozens of humanitarian crises. As I have just mentioned, in order to maintain social balance, Muslims on the other side of the world are establishing a bridge of heart to be aware of our brothers and sisters and to deal with their pain.
You stated that you appreciate Cansuyu's activities in general. So, if we ask you which activity is your favourite, and why, what would you tell us?
It would not be right to put one of Cansuyu's activities before another. Because all activities aim to eliminate different problems. However, I would like to underline the following; Our Cansuyu Association does not only help, but also works to improve the place. For example, it does not only provide food aid to African countries, It also tries to offer job opportunities for the people there to work and meet their own needs. There is a famous saying; 'Don't give me fish, teach me how to fish'. For example, establishing a garment workshop in Idlib, paving the way for war victims to contribute to the family economy, to pave the way for livestock activities in Africa with the aid of livestock are there. On the other hand, to open schools to increase the education level of oppressed geographies, establishing hospitals for health services also stands out as permanent and future-oriented activities.
Sir, finally, what kind of call would you like to make to the benefactors who want to lend a hand to the oppressed this Ramadan?
First of all, when we sit at the sahur and iftar tables, we should not forget that there are millions of oppressed people who cannot set these tables. Those who want to bless their tables can donate to humanitarian organizations what they can make and what they can afford.