The 11th International Arab Book Fair, which opened in Istanbul on Saturday, has also become a platform for activity by the Islamist axis and for Qatari-Turkish cooperation surrounding the Palestinian issue.
During the event, the secretary general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), a Muslim Brotherhood organization operating from Qatar, called for aid to be transferred to the Gaza Strip by all possible means.
The fair, which will run through August 23, is being held this year under the theme “The Story Continues,” with more than 300 publishing houses from over 30 countries taking part. Qatar is among the countries active at the event, with its Culture Ministry setting up a booth featuring numerous titles.
Dr. Yasin Aktay, a former adviser to the Turkish president, described the event’s aim of strengthening the Islamist axis, saying that “the theme of this event extends across the story of a united nation, in the hope that the fair will help strengthen ties between people in the Islamic world across a variety of platforms.”
The Islamist axis is known for using events of this kind to spread messages rejecting Israel’s existence and encouraging Palestinian terrorism. At the international book fair held in Doha last May, books by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar were sold, and giant posters were displayed at the venue. Books praising the conduct of terrorists in Israeli prisons were also sold at the fair, along with books denying the Holocaust. None of this prevented the US Embassy in Doha from sponsoring the event.
Istanbul book fair demonstrates ties to Hamas
At the event in Istanbul, Qatari-Turkish cooperation was also demonstrated on Saturday in connection with Hamas. Sheikh Dr. Ali al Qaradaghi, secretary general of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, called during the fair for the issue of the Palestinian people to remain at the forefront and for aid to be transferred to the Gaza Strip by all possible means.
The union operates from Qatar and, according to the source material, is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas itself belongs to the Muslim Brotherhood, and according to the claim presented in the material, the organization’s call for financial support is intended to assist Hamas.
Dr. Ariel Admoni of Ariel University and the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security said that this cooperation demonstrates the Qatari-Turkish use of soft cultural tools to continue providing financial and moral support for Palestinian terrorism in ways that do not damage the international legitimacy enjoyed by Qatar and Turkey.
