Community Members Come Together To Support Turkey Earthquake Victims

Members of the Turkish community in Oklahoma City are coming together to support the victims of a devastating earthquake earlier this month.

Thousands of miles away from their homes, friends and families, Turkish Oklahomans are searching for a way to help despite the distance.

The devastation in Turkey is unimaginable as the death toll continues to rise—many more still missing, likely trapped beneath the rubble.

From halfway across the world, members of the Turkish community here in Oklahoma are calling on their neighbors to do what they can for the earthquake victims.

In the next week, prayer and fundraising are on the agenda and organizers are hopeful that the community will lend a helping hand.

"You want to be involved and do what you can, said Huzeyfe Sel, a member of the Turkish community here in Oklahoma City. "It's not human to just stand by."

Leaders from different cultural and religious groups plan to gather for a prayer vigil Tuesday evening, followed by a Turkish Food Fair Saturday afternoon. Both events will be open to the public.

"People from different faiths, different religions, different cultures coming together to support one cause-- I think that's the best thing we're doing," said Cevher Sancaktutar, another Turkish Oklahoman.

The interfaith prayer vigil will take place at St. Paul’s cathedral on February 21st and the Turkish Food Food Fair will be at the Raindrop Turkish House on February 25th.