On the occasion of the Arabic Book Fair

Istanbul is hosting a very important event these days. The fifth edition of the event, which already bears the title of the world's largest International Arabic Book Fair held outside the Arab world, is being organized this year with the contributions of the Press and Publication Association and the International Association of Arabic Book Publishers.

"Outside the Arab world" is the phrase used, but how far Turkey or Istanbul can be considered outside the Arab world is a subject worth debating. Turkey currently hosts an Arab population approaching 5 million, made up of Syrians, of Egyptians, Yemenis, Libyans and Iraqis who have come, or been forced to come, to Turkey because of the problems in their countries after the Arab Spring, and also of those, primarily from the Gulf countries, who have settled in Turkey simply because they see it as a better destination for investment, residence and tourism.

This population alone today exceeds the populations of the great majority of the member states of the Arab League. Together with our citizens of Arab origin, who also number in the millions, Turkey in fact leads the countries hosting the largest Arab populations. We have said so before. This situation actually gives Turkey, when necessary, the right to speak more on behalf of the Arab world. In essence, Turkey's efforts in taking a solution-oriented approach to many of the problems from which the Arab world suffers today surpass those of all the Arab countries.

After all, there is no Arab country that approaches the humanitarian problems unfolding in countries that Arabs are directly affected by, such as Syria, Libya, and even Egypt and Yemen, more humanely than Turkey, or that takes on more responsibility. Yet, as we have written before, there is today an institution called the Arab League, and its first priority should be to solve the problems of the Arab population forced to leave their homes and homelands. But such a subject is not on its agenda at all.

In fact, in embracing this population Turkey is doing what is required of a great and serious country worthy of itself. But the results of this, its spontaneous returns, are also many. Today, in many fields, Turkey has become a place where the heart of the Arab world beats as well. Istanbul is heading toward becoming one of the most important centers of Arab financial circles. The intellectuals of the Arab world find in Istanbul the most suitable environment to debate, meet, and develop and spread their ideas, and its artists to practice and exhibit their art. The Arabic book fair held in Istanbul is a platform on which this scene can be seen clearly.

Close to 200 publishers from 15 different countries have taken part in the fair. The fair, whose opening on the first day I attended, and where I also gave a conference on Thursday, had been visited by 56 thousand people as of its 4th day. By the final day this number is expected to reach 100 thousand. The fair does not merely bring readers and books together; it brings authors together with one another, with publishers, and most importantly with their readers. The number of publishing houses currently publishing Arabic books in Turkey and exporting what they produce here to every part of the Arab world has exceeded 50.

The diversity of ideas that stands out at the fair is in itself a reflection of the freedom of thought and expression that Turkey provides. The stands of conflicting ideas sit side by side. Iran's Arabic publications, Saudi Arabia's most official views, and, against them, the highly intellectual and modernist-historicist publications of the Maghreb and Tunisia can all find a place for themselves at the fair. Frankly, it is hard to find this diversity together in any of the Arab countries.

Throughout the fair there are also events such as seminars, book signings, painting, photography and sculpture exhibitions, as well as poetry and music recitals. The works of the painters and musicians who try to disperse, with their hope-inspiring art, the malign winds that have beset their countries through the counter-revolution process are very impressive both in artistic quality and in the messages they convey.

Some stands hold very special events all day long. At one, a "psychological support group" made up of Syrian or Turkish volunteers applies very special and practical techniques, on those who visit the stand, on how the person of our region can know himself and repair himself against the blows he has been subjected to. To witness an effort of this quality, enthusiasm and voluntarism, by so many volunteers from among the Syrians living in Turkey, in the face of all the suffering and dispersal they have lived through, opens one's heart.

Meanwhile I also want to mention the performance of a Syrian calligrapher that impressed me greatly. Muhammed Mahir, who is the first and only one in his field, practices a calligraphy very different from what is known. Using a sewing machine, he transfers Arabic couplets and verses from the Holy Qur'an onto velvet fabric in a flawless hand, without using any draft. In this way he exhibits in his atelier in Bursa an entire mushaf, which he has embroidered with a sewing machine, weighing 200 kg. At the fair, Mahir immediately embroiders onto fabric with the sewing machine whatever couplet or name visitors want.

For those who want to visit, today and tomorrow are the last two days of the fair.