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Turkish Airlines Pays 7.7 Euros to Sponsor FC Barcelona

yusuf — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:26:51 +0000

Turkish Airlines, Turkey’s national flag carrier, has signed a three-season sponsorship contract with FC Barcelona. The CEO of Turkish Airlines, Temel Kotil, while addressing a press conference termed the contract as “another success on the way towards becoming a global brand.”

The 7.7 million Euros sponsorship contract will give the Turkish Airlines right to place its logos on the billboards in FC Barcelona’s home stadium, Camp Nou, and all other locations where the team is playing. Turkish Airlines will also carry out relevant promotions and fly the FC Barcelona players to their tournaments.

According to Temel Kotil, the Turkish Airlines was able to grow during the financial crisis that affected the aviation sector around the globe. The passenger numbers of Turkish Airlines were up 11% to 25.1 million in 2009, according to official figures released by the company on January 13, 2010. However, this growth missed the company’s target of 26.8 million. Altogether, the airline currently has a fleet of 134 aircraft and serves 156 destinations world wide. Turkish Airlines targets to handle 40 million passengers annually by 2012.

United States is not at war with Islam – Obama

yusuf — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:38:08 +0000

United States president Obama is reaching out to Muslims and trying to rebuild ties with Muslims after anger at the most unpopular invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. While addressing the Turkey’s Parliament, he said:

“Let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam.”

He further said, ‘The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.’

The United States has been enriched by Muslim Americans. Many other Americans have Muslims in their family, or have lived in a Muslim-majority country. I know, because I am one of them,’ Obama said in his speech to parliament. Obama also called Iran a ‘great civilization’ and said he sought engagement with the Islamic Republic. But he added: ‘Iran’s leaders must choose whether they will try to build a weapon or build a better future for their people.’ Obama also backed Turkey’s bid to join European Union.

Although Obama is making some efforst to reach out to Muslims with his words, however, his actions are not supporting his words. His administration is sending more troops to Afghanistan as well has increased funding for drones which have been carrying out missile attacks into Pakistan’s area. These missile attacks have only killed mostly civilians and not any important figure of Taliban. As a direct result of these missile attacks, now many of the Pakistan’s major cities are under suicide bombers killing a large number of civilians there as well.

If Obama is sincere in bridging the ever increasing distance between West and Muslims, he has to change his policy in Afghanistan also. Following Bush’s policy will acheive nothing but more deaths and more anger against US.

Istanbul, Turkey

yusuf — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:41:03 +0000

This unique city, at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, located on both sides of the Bosphorus (Istanbul Straits) is described as a jewel by the famous French author Lamartine. Istanbul is a city of synthesis which realizes in an atmosphere of tolerance the uniting of the East and the West on the subjects of culture, art and religion, at the borders of two separate continents. The Bosphorus, which stretches out between the emerald-like slopes, the woods and the bays adorned with one thousand and one beauties, is unique. Halic Bay (Golden Horn), a horn-shaped bay located on the European side of Istanbul, is one of the most beautiful natural harbors in the world.

Istanbul Bosphorus: You can see two continents: Europe and Asia

Istanbul – Kız kulesi (the Maiden’s Tower)

Istanbul – Ortakoy Mosque at night

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