Tourists from Islamic Countries Rush into Turkey

Saudi Arabian businessman Abdullah Abdul Muhsin and his wife and four children are some of the thousands of Muslim tourists who have come to Turkey for a holiday this year. Muhsin said that he chose Turkey for a holiday especially because it did not allow the US to use Turkish territory during the Iraq War. Muhsin’s family wondered about the Islamic civilization in Turkey that stood up to the US. Visiting Ottoman monuments with his family, Muhsin said, "I wanted my children to see the country which rejected the bill." Stating that Turkey should go back to its former mission, Muhsin added, "I admire Turkey. It should be a power in the region."

An Israeli citizen of Palestinian origin, Kemal Dakwar is making his first visit to Turkey with a group of 19 people, including his friends, his wife, and his children. Regarding Turkey’s rejection of the US, Dakwar said, "It was the most important moment in the Middle East. Turkey showed that it was a regional power." Dakwar also stated that Turkey confirmed its image as "a confident country."

Syrian Omer Ebu Abid is in Turkey for one week. The 34 year-old, who frequently travels abroad and has visited Italy, Egypt and the US, said, "I would never have come if the war had been waged from Turkish soil."

Amer Dumer, a US citizen of Jordanian origin, stresses that Turkey made the right decision by not allowing the US to use its territory. Dumer stated that he came to Turkey to show his family the Islamic works of the country that said ‘No’ to the USA.

Ibarihm Dogan, Elif Tunca / Istanbul / TURKEY