“Goodness Train” carrying 750 tons of supplies to Afghanistan, departed from Ankara

The humanitarian aid train carrying 750 tons of supplies collected by 11 charities, including Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, in coordination with the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) departed from Ankara.

The ceremony was held at the 1st Peron of Historical Ankara Station through the “Goodness Train” with the participation of Suleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior; Adil Karaismailoglu, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; and Prof. Ali Erbas, the President of the Religious Affairs and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation.

Karaismailoglu stated at the ceremony that Turkiye stands with all the oppressed and all those who need goodness.

Karaismailoğlu asserted that they are with the people of Afghanistan, our friendly and brotherly country. “Our two trains consist of 47 carriages and carry around 750 tons of goodness supplies. It will cover 4,168 kilometers. will reach Afghanistan through Iran and Turkmenistan.” He said.

Karaismailoglu reminded that after the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars line, the Istanbul-Tehran-Islamabad trains, which are referred to as the southern line, also started to operate, and said that the train would go through this corridor in 16 days.

“We must reach out to our brothers and sisters there together”.

Minister of Internal Affairs Soylu emphasized that 12.9 million children in Afghanistan require aid in cold weather circumstances. Adding that they are honored to be the sons of the civilization of goodness.

Soylu stated that Turkiye, which has come to the aid of people in difficulty around the world and chooses to be with humanity, will always be with the people of Afghanistan. We’re not just a nation. We have history, we have culture, we have faith, we have what our beliefs and values teach and command. It is perhaps one of the biggest gaffes that we will make if we are afraid of them and think that our peace in this geography belongs only to this geography.” He said.

Noting that the Turkish nation was not a nation that suspended its conscience like Western civilization, Soylu said:

“The world is not only made up of 2022. After us, maybe there will be centuries. Just as our ancestors entrusted us with great nobility, entrusted aid to all parts of the world, entrusted us with what the brotherhood would be like, we are responsible and obliged to continue the same. I’m emphasizing this. For the last 4 years, we have been the world’s biggest donor country. Whereas the U.S. and Europe are richer than us. We are the children of a nation that is sensitive to this subject, which is enriched by its soul. We have to keep it going together and we have to reach out to our brothers and sisters together.” 

TCDD Transport General Manager Hasan Pezuk explained that trains to China and Russia via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line and the central corridor are now reaching Pakistan and Afghanistan via Iran and Turkmenistan. 

Stating that the aid train will travel 4 thousand 168 kilometers on the tracks of Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan after Turkiye, Pezuk said, “As TCDD transportation family, we are glad and honored to be a part of this organization and to support our Afghan brothers. We will continue to strive for the railway to replicate prosperity, friendship, and brotherhood among the countries of the region. Our “Goodness Train” is the most concrete example of this.” 

Prof. Dr. Ali Erbas, head of religious affairs, who prayed at the ceremony, said:

“Almighty Allah says in The Holy Quran: “Race you for goodness and piety.” Our nation acts following the wisdom of this Verse and tries to reach wherever there are oppressed, victims, and needy people in the world. May Almighty Allah bless our state and nation forever.” 

Goodness Train

The “Goodness Train” carries 750 tons of food, clothing, blankets, health and hygiene supplies prepared for the people of Afghanistan by the Turkish Red Crescent and the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, IHH, Deniz Feneri, Beşir Association, Hayrat Donations Association, Sadayakaşı, Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Foundation, Seven Başak Association, ANDA Association and Umuda Koşers Association under the coordination of AFAD. The train has 46 wagons.

The General Manager of Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, Izani Turan, and the Deputy General Manager, Abdurrahman Çetin, also attended the ceremony.