By Ahmet Furkan Mercan
ANKARA (AA) – A delegation from South Africa’s umbrella body of Islamic clerics visited Turkish institutions during their five-day visit to the country, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) said on Monday.
Coming to Turkey at the invitation of TIKA — Turkey’s state aid agency — the eight-member delegation of South Africa’s Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) visited Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet), the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV), Center for Islamic Studies (ISAM), Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), and the Maarif Foundation.
Ekrem Keles, the chair of the Diyanet's High Council of Religious Affairs, briefed the delegation about the council and its activities, TIKA said in a statement.
Birol Akgun, the head of the Maarif Foundation, also spoke about Turkey’s recent political history and the group’s educational mission.
During their visit to the Center for Islamic Studies, the delegation learned about the center’s activities and a 44-volume Encyclopedia of Islam.
Irafaan Abrahams, who heads the South African group, said they observed Turkey’s power and the capacity of its institutions and they were impressed by it.
The visit aimed to improve cooperation with South Africa, added TIKA.
