A remarkable decline in coronavirus cases and strict health measures in place in both Qatar and Turkey have led to a major outflow of tourists to Turkey.

The KVC and Consular sections in the Turkish embassy in Qatar are working seven days a week issuing Turkish visas. While Qatari nationals get entry visa on arrival, the accompanying non-Qatari domestic workers can obtain visit visas within 48 hours.

The Ambassador of Republic of Turkey to the State of Qatar Dr. Mustafa Goksu said, “It’s important to make a habit to share your knowledge and experience with youth and friends for their grooming and caring in life.”

In an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune, he said, “Allah Almighty has blessed me with life. It is my objective in life to spend major part of each day contributing to and serving my country, the society, and for the betterment of humanity.”

The envoy said that bilateral relations between Qatar and Turkey are “extremely important” and the visionary leaderships of the two brotherly countries believe this relationship is for the betterment and development of the people of the region and the world at large.

Dr. Mustafa Goksu, a doctorate in Islamic studies from Islamic University Madina Al Munawarra, said, “Our region is facing several challenges and passing through severe complications. Being the envoy of my country I believe it’s an opportunity for me to devote maximum hours of my daily life towards meeting the prime and common objectives of both the countries -- working for peace and prosperity for the people of the region.”

Goksu was born in a town south-east of Turkey where he completed his elementary education. “That was the time there was only one hafiz-e-Quran in my town and memorizing of Quran was mainly taken by visually impaired male members of the society,” he recalled.

So he decided to herald a change and become an example to encourage youths to come forward and go for hifiz-e-Quran (memorization of Quran). He secured admission in Imam Hatip High School, Istanbul, with boarding far away from home town.

To his surprise, he found out that one student in school had earlier taken only 11 months to memorize the Holy Quran. “I made that my target and successfully I completed memorizing the Holy Quran within 11 months of my admission,” he recalled

The school still has both general and Islamic educational systems. After obtaining higher school educational certificate, there were three options for him: the first was graduation in engineering from Lahore (Pakistan) Engineering College; the second was graduation in economics from Istanbul University; the third option was graduation in Islamic Studies from Islamic University, Madina AlMunawarra (Saudi Arabia). He decided to go for the third option.

He spend three years to learn Arabic language which was mandatory for joining Islamic University, which he completed in two years and was accepted for admission. After his graduation, he pursued his Master’s and then a doctorate in Islamic Studies from the same university.

Throughout his studies, he had also been working part time.

Upon his return to Turkey, he got married decided to go for further studies in Comparative Religion from the US. Meanwhile, some medical treatment requirements took him to Canada where he spent four-and-a-half years doing his graduation in economics.

“Right from my childhood, it has always been in my mind to do something exceptional and create a difference in other people’s lives. I have always been blessed and got opportunities to contribute to society,” he said.

“Learning goes throughout life. Knowledge and experience must be shared especially with youths and friends so as to groom them and look onward from other’s experiences as well.”

Talking about the large outflow of tourists from Qatar to Turkey for their summer vacations, he said he is expecting much higher numbers of Qatari tourists this year compared to previous years. “The reason is that people were not able to travel last year due to international flight restrictions amid the pandemic. This summer, both Qatar and Turkey were able to control the situation, whereas a number of other countries are still facing the challenges and adopting strict measures. Turkey being one of the major tourist destinations in the world and practicing very strict health measures, is one of the very few options left open for tourists to visit.”

To facilitate the residents in traveling to Turkey (since Qatari nationals get entry visa on arrival), the Consulate section and the KVC (Visa Center) are working seven days a week.

Dr. Afsin Hurmuzlu, General Director Board Member of KVC, told Qatar Tribune that to meet the heavy rush of applicants, KVC is receiving visit visa applications for Turkey between 0800-1400 hours (Saturday to Thursday) and 1400-1700 (Fridays). The visa-releasing timings are 1400-1800 hours (Saturdays-Thursdays) and 1700-2000 on Fridays.