The Turkish Cultural Center is deeply disappointed to learn that the so-called documentary called "The Third Jihad" has been shown to the members of the New York Police Department. It is obvious that this video intentionally presents Islam, Muslim Americans, and the Muslims in general in quite a malicious and distorted way. As such, showing this video partially or fully to the fine members of the NYPD, let alone using it for allegedly educational purposes, serves only to promote hatred, discrimination and racism in our city.
It is quite detrimental to all the constructive efforts put forth to foster mutual understanding among different ethnic and religious communities.
Having waited for sometime in an anticipation that the righteous leaders and members of the NYPD would rectify this misdeed, Turkish Cultural Center welcomes the sincere apology offered by New York Police Chief Raymond Kelly, and considers it as a step forward in resolving the issue. Furthermore, the Center considers it neither constructive nor useful approach calling for the resignation of Police Chief Raymond Kelly. Rather, it is of the view that reducing the whole issue into whether he should resign or not only diverts the public and official attention away from the real and pressing problems on the ground such as incitement to hatred and discrimination against American Muslim community, as well as other communities.
Turkish Cultural Center believes that it would be prudent to take this unfortunate incident as a wake up call in the face of a looming social problem, and focus on such preventive and rehabilitating measures as utilizing the educational materials in NYPD's training programs, that present objective and unbiased views on Islam and American Muslims. In this regard, the Center recommends the video production titled "Inside Islam: What a Billion Muslims Really Think", and hope for the early eradication of the malicious views caused by the so-called "Third Jihad".
