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Al-Ahram Weekly

Turkish embassy in Cairo hosts solidarity event for Gaza refugees, vulnerable Egyptians - City Lights - Life & Style

The Turkish embassy in Cairo held a solidarity event on 1 August for Palestinian families displaced from Gaza and vulnerable Egyptian families, in a show of humanitarian support and rejection of forced displacement. The gathering, held at the ambassador's official residence, brought together 300 Gaza refugee families currently living in Egypt and 100 Egyptian families in need. Around 100 journalists also attended to cover the event. The initiative was organized in coordination with Turkish and Egyptian NGOs and with support from the Palestinian embassy in Cairo. It was co-hosted by the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) and Egypt's Al-Wafaa Development Association. The programme featured cultural performances, including traditional dabka dancing by Palestinian youth and patriotic songs by children from Gaza. Turkish ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen with Gaza refugee families and needy Egyptian families at his residence Speaking at the event, Turkey's ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, reaffirmed his country's support for Palestinians. He said Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, remains committed to aiding 'the oppressed and afflicted people of Gaza,' and that recent actions reflect the broader sentiment of the Turkish public. Şen noted that Turkey had resumed humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza via Egypt, with 180 Turkish aid trucks included in a recent convoy through the Rafah crossing. He added that maritime shipments to Arish may resume depending on the progress of ceasefire negotiations and coordination efforts, particularly with the Turkish Red Crescent and AFAD, Turkey's disaster relief agency. He acknowledged Egypt's role in hosting nearly 100,000 Gazans since the start of the genocidal Israeli war on the Strip and said many still face economic hardship. Turkey, he said, intends to help ease that burden by continuing its support for displaced Palestinians. Şen highlighted past Turkish initiatives, including a programme with the Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Foundation and the Palestinian authorities that funded tuition for 10,000 Palestinian university students in Egypt. He also referenced Eid El-Adha aid efforts that included ritual sacrifices distributed to families in need. The ambassador thanked the Palestinian embassy and Al-Wafaa Association for organizing the event and said the Turkish embassy would continue its assistance in coordination with Egyptian authorities. Crucially, Şen reiterated Turkey's categorical rejection—shared with Egypt—to any form of forced or so-called voluntary relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, warning such moves could lead to broader efforts to depopulate Palestinian territories. He stressed that evacuating 'even a quarter' of Gaza's population would 'dangerously normalize the idea of mass displacement.' He also stressed Turkey's role in ceasefire negotiations, alongside Egypt, Qatar, and the US, and welcomed France and the UK's intentions to recognize the State of Palestine as 'historic and positive'. In closing, Şen urged displaced Palestinians to 'preserve their identity, remember Gaza, and hold onto the hope of return,' pledging that Turkey and the broader Islamic world would continue to support them. He said all of the embassy's actions align with the directives of President Erdoğan and the collective will of the Turkish people—a stance, he added, that 'will remain steadfast'. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link: