Muslim academicians from US, Canada visit Turkey

By Muhammet Ikbal Arslan, Ahmet Furkan Mercan and Fatih Hafiz Mehmet</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – A group of Muslim academicians teaching at universities in the U.S. and Canada visited Turkey and attended a conference on Tuesday.</p> <p>Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Yavuz Selim Kiran also attended the conference, which was jointly organized by Turkey's Center for Strategic Research (SAM) and Turken Foundation.</p> <p>Speaking at the conference Kiran said Turkey is closely following the U.S.’s investigation into Fetullah Terrorist Organization’s (FETO) activities.</p> <p>FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. </p> <p>Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.</p> <p>&quot;We hope that the investigations will reveal the evil and unlawful attempts of this terror network,&quot; Yavuz Selim Kiran said at the conference.</p> <p>Kiran added that the FETO is continuing to &quot;spread its poison&quot; in the U.S.</p> <p>He said Turkey encourages all Muslim organizations in the U.S. to act in coordination.</p> <p>&quot;We place utmost importance at increasing contacts between American Muslims and Turkey,&quot; the deputy foreign minister said.</p> <p>&quot;We strongly believe that you will disseminate real message of Islam and its universal values, which is a religion of peace,&quot; he added.</p> <p>&quot;Turken Chaplain Bridges&quot; project of Turken Foundation aims to introduce Turkish culture to Muslims in the universities of the U.S. and Canada.</p> <p>As part of the project which will continue till Jan. 2, 2019, the 40-member delegation arrived in Turkey.