Brisbaners witnessed a very unique ANZAC day celebration at Harem Restaurant. Queensland Intercultural Society and Queensland Education and Cultural Foundation invited Australian diggers and war veterans to meet, dine and pray with the Australian grand children of the Johnny Turks.

Members of Australian Armed forces, RSL clubs, alongside with Aussie-Turks prayed in English and Turkish for the souls of the fallen from both sides. Ron Aumann from RSL Sherwood and Yasar Savran from QECF prayed together in Turkish and in English for the fallen.

“It’s not often that two countries who opposed each other during wartime heal the emotional battle wounds to the extent that Australia and Turkey have,” Mr.Michael Icer of Harem Restaurant said.

“Both countries now share a very special bond and this event also celebrates this relationship and the sacrifice made by the fallen to ensure future generations, including ourselves, share the true value of mateship and peace.” Mr.Icer also added.

The event was also the first event put together by Queensland Intercultural Society who have shhown serious intensions in taking steps in bringing different sects of Australian society; Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists together.

"The war helped post-colonial Aussies and post-imperial Turks build strong national senses" Queensland Intercultural Society director Fatih Asar pointed out, "Ataturk calling fallen Aussie soldiers-Johnnies laying next to Turkish Mehmets as our sons is a very important message to 21st century; Johnny comes from the name of John the Baptist or John the Apostle, Mehmet is the Turkish version of Muhammed.. Some people talk about clash of civilizations whereas in my country Muhammed and Jesus are brothers, people should take lesson from this." Mr.Asar said.

RSL-Turk NSW director Aytuner Akbas showed the guests a multimedia presentation of Turkish and Australian veterans, famous characters and videos from the battle field. One picture showed 2 Gallipoli veterans from Turkish and Australian sides hugging each other and sharing a laugh which made the guests very emotional.

Chaplain Ken Schmidt from Australian Armed forces whose son is also serving in Afghanistan praised the spirit of those who had the heart to fight and to forgive each other and read the Turkish commander and president Ataturk's famous words about the ANZAC soldiers :

Those heroes that shed their blood And lost their lives...
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side,
Here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries...
Wipe away your tears.
Your sons are now lying in our bosom
And are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land, they have
Become our sons as well.