Ambassadors Impressed by Konya

Konya Metropolitan Municipality hosted ambassadors and their spouses from various countries in Konya. During the two-day program, the ambassadors and their spouses had the opportunity to closely explore the city's historical and cultural sites and met with Konya Metropolitan Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay.

Emphasizing that Konya is a city of tolerance and brotherhood, Mayor Altay expressed his pleasure in hosting the ambassadors and their spouses at the Seljuk Darülmülk. Mayor Altay also stated that they will continue working to further strengthen Konya's tourism potential.

During the two-day Konya program, the guests visited important historical and cultural sites of the city, including Sille, the Mevlana Museum, the Stone Building Konya Digital Promotion Center, Konya Science Center, the Çatalhöyük Promotion and Reception Center, and the Bedesten. They gained insights into Konya's rich history. The delegation also attended the Mevlana Ceremony held at the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mevlana Cultural Center.

Sharing his thoughts on his experiences in Konya, Australia's Ambassador to Ankara, Miles Robert Armitage, stated that it was his first visit to the city and expressed how pleased they were with their time there. He emphasized that visiting the Mevlana Museum was important for them, saying, "Receiving Mevlana's messages was very refreshing for us. It's as if the world reflects here. There are many tourists here. It’s wonderful to experience this as a family."

Switzerland's Ambassador to Ankara, Guillaume Bertrand Scheurer, stated that Konya is a very impressive place, and that the city's historical richness and the messages conveyed by Mevlana deeply affected him. He also expressed his admiration for the Konya Digital Promotion Center, noting, "Not all visitors speak Turkish. There are translations available in different languages here. Additionally, younger generations are more interested in digital media. It has become a center that caters to them and is more beneficial. For us, it's a great opportunity to see both history and modernity together in Konya."

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative for Turkey, Mariam Asghar Khan, stated, "I have always heard of Konya throughout my life. When we got married, one of Rumi's philosophies was part of our marriage. Additionally, I really liked the Digital Promotion Center. It gives a very clean impression. Congratulations, we are truly impressed. Konya is a very important city."

Bangladesh's Ambassador to Ankara, M. Amanul Haq, emphasized that Konya is a city of great importance between Turkey and Bangladesh, stating, "Our relations with Konya have been ongoing for a long time. We have been collaborating extensively, especially in the field of agriculture. We are working on this. What I saw at the Science Center was not just how important Konya is today, but how important it has been for the past 10,000 years. Konya's significance is growing every day."

The wife of the Bangladesh Ambassador, Runa Mahzabeen Ahmed, mentioned that she had visited Konya several times before but was visiting Çatalhöyük for the first time. She said, "The Çatalhöyük Promotion and Reception Center is beautifully set up. We learned a lot archaeologically, and the presentation of the information was done very well. If I were to describe Konya in one word, I would define it as a heart-to-heart connection with Bangladesh."

Thailand's Ambassador to Ankara, Apirat Sugondhabhirom, expressed his gratitude to Konya Metropolitan Municipality for their hospitality, stating, "I have visited Konya many times, but this is my first visit to Çatalhöyük. I am very impressed by the center established here. Additionally, I had the chance to witness the Sema ceremony for the first time. I was deeply moved. It was a very calming ceremony that gave off positive energies. Konya has a vast and deep history. When I think of Konya, history and civilization come to mind."