HÜDA PAR General President Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu called on business leaders to uphold honesty, justice, and Islamic values in trade, saying that ethical merchants have historically played a vital role in spreading Islam through their conduct.

Speaking at the 6th Businessmen Meeting organized by the Association of Just Industrialists and Businessmen (HAKSİAD) in Ankara under the theme "Ethical Trade, Strong Türkiye," Yapıcıoğlu addressed industrialists, entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and investors from across Türkiye and abroad.

In his speech, Yapıcıoğlu stressed that merchants who conduct business with integrity make a lasting contribution to society and the Islamic faith, arguing that their example often has a greater impact than words alone.

"History has shown us that the service honest merchants have provided to Islam and their contribution to its spread could not be matched even by scholars' sermons or the swords of warriors," he said. "Those who reflected Islamic morality in their business dealings enabled Islam to reach distant lands."

Congratulates students on report card day

Referring to the coinciding report card day in Türkiye, Yapıcıoğlu extended his best wishes to students across the country.

"I pray that this academic year brings goodness for all our students, that they graduate from their schools as well-equipped individuals who will provide beneficial services, and that they become a source of pride for their families and our nation," he said.

Remembers victims of Susa Mosque massacre

Yapıcıoğlu also commemorated the victims of the June 26, 1992 Susa Mosque massacre in Diyarbakır's Silvan district, where 10 worshippers were killed by the PKK.

He prayed for mercy upon those who lost their lives and expressed hope that similar tragedies would never be repeated.

"May Allah not let us experience such pain again and never give opportunity to those who cause such brutality and oppression," he said.

'Unity is power'

Praising HAKSİAD's contribution to production and employment since its establishment in 2013, Yapıcıoğlu encouraged the association to continue expanding its influence while remaining faithful to its founding principles.

"Unity is power, and unity generates power," he said. "May Allah grant you the ability to use this strength for legitimate purposes, increase your strength, but never let you forget the principles you set out with as your power grows."

He urged participants not to lose sight of their broader responsibilities while pursuing commercial success.

"Our trade, production, earnings and business relations should never prevent us from remembering Allah," he said. "Remembering Allah means never forgetting the purpose for which we were created and the responsibility entrusted to us."

'Every Muslim is a representative of Islam'

Highlighting the importance of personal example, Yapıcıoğlu said every Muslim carries the responsibility of representing Islam regardless of profession.

"Whether we are industrialists, businessmen, politicians, teachers, students or journalists, we should never forget that we represent our faith wherever we are," he said.

He encouraged businesspeople to demonstrate Islamic ethics through honesty, fairness, and professionalism.

"Let people say through our actions, 'This is what a Muslim businessman looks like. This is what a Muslim manager looks like.' We must earn such respect not merely with our words but through our conduct."

Calls for competition in goodness

Concluding his remarks, Yapıcıoğlu called for greater unity, solidarity, and ethical competition within the business community.

"May Allah enable us to perform beneficial services without departing from honesty and truth," he said. "Let us help one another in goodness and piety. Let us compete with each other in goodness, strengthen our unity, and use our growing power for righteous and legitimate purposes."

The four-day HAKSİAD Businessmen Meeting has brought together industrialists, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors from various provinces of Türkiye and different countries to promote business cooperation, investment opportunities, and sustainable economic partnerships under the slogan "Ethical Trade, Strong Türkiye." (ILKHA)