The events of the past week should be an eye opener to the international community that Turkey is a treasure that should be well preserved and its views and efforts for world peace should be properly acknowledged.

This statement at first may sound too nationalistic and for some even arrogant. Yet facts are facts and someone has to push this into the eyes of those who cannot see and hear.

On April 23, Turkey celebrated the 92nd anniversary of the inauguration of its Parliament by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The day is now observed as National Sovereignty and Children's Day as Atatürk and his colleagues declared the day as a special occasion for the children of this country. Turkey is the only country that values its children so much that it has earmarked such an honorable day for the children in a world where children are still abused, tortured, left to starve and massacred in their hundreds. Turks have set an example, yet at times they too fail on child issues, which means we have to put more emphasis on children's rights.

Islam cherishes the child yet we unfortunately see the worst atrocities concerning children are committed in the Islamic world. It means we have to put more emphasis on the teachings of the Quran and the prophet regarding the child.

Despite all this the children of Turkey live in peace and safety unlike in other places in the Islamic world in particular and in the world in general. The people of this country can be proud of the value they attach to children but should do more to set better examples to the world.

On the other hand, the people of Turkey also show the Islamic world in particular and to the world in general that you can have a predominantly Muslim population and yet you can see democracy prosper. The fact that this country celebrates the 92nd anniversary of its elected parliament is a great success where all the politicians and statesmen who served since 1920 should be commended and the Turkish people should be applauded for rising up to the occasion for decades to oppose juntas and push for democratic rule.

Another event that has also made us proud last week was the 100th anniversary of the Çanakkale Land Battles that ended in a massive victory for the people of Turkey under Ottoman rule. Once again we did not only remember how soldiers of these lands gave their lives against the massive forces of World War One led by the British but we also remembered the compassion and mercy in the hearts of the Turkish soldiers who carried the wounded enemy soldiers on their backs, who gave water and food to them and who treated them. Turks showed you can fight a war but you can still stick to the teachings of Islam and forgive even your enemy and show compassion to him. Just as we were showing to the world how the enemies of the past became good friends today, in Yerevan, Armenia the Armenians were displaying the enmity and hawkishness that is the source of all the massacres and widespread abuses in the world today. They were still trying to turn the world against Turks by drumming up the old yarn of Armenian genocide.

Turkey remains an island of hope and common sense for the world. It only needs the contemporary civilized world to appreciate it.