Muftis of Western Thrace attend the World Islamic Scholars Consultation Meeting
Important messages were given at the opening of the World Islamic Scholars Consultation Meeting held at the Dolmabahçe Working Office with the participation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The meeting was attended by İbrahim Şerif, President of the Consultative Committee of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and Mufti of Komotini and Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of Xanthi, representing the Turkish Muslim Community in Western Thrace.
Mufti İbrahim and Mustafa Trampa had the opportunity to meet with President Erdoğan and presented him a photo of him with children in traditional costumes during his visit to Western Thrace.
Erdogan points on Palestine
In his speech at the opening of the World Islamic Scholars Consultation Meeting organised by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Dolmabahçe Working Office, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his satisfaction for hosting scholars and opinion leaders from different corners of the world.
Addressing the participants as "Welcome to Istanbul", President Erdoğan said, "I congratulate the Presidency of Religious Affairs for organising this meaningful meeting with a distinguished delegation. I express my gratitude to you in advance for your contributions."
President Erdoğan emphasised that the coming together of the esteemed representatives of the Islamic geography at such a time will instil courage in the Palestinian brothers and oppressed people and said: "With your presence here, you are not only fulfilling your duty of humanity and brotherhood. At the same time, with your honourable stance, you are shouting to all humanity that the Palestinian oppressed are not alone."
Pointing out that humanity is currently undergoing a great test, President Erdoğan said: "Yesterday, this test was being given in Syria. Previously, we were tested in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Bosnia and now, as Muslims, we are being tested in Gaza. Either we will pass this test with flying colours or we will have to live with a heavy burden of regret in our hearts for a lifetime. I would like to express very clearly that it is unbecoming for Muslims to seek help from others. We are responsible for ourselves and our own account first. We are obliged to fulfil our duty of brotherhood towards the Palestinian people. We have to stand against oppression by preventing it with our hands and tongues, and when we cannot do this, at least with our hearts."
"We will start preparations for the reconstruction of Gaza"
President Erdoğan stated that everyone will do what suits them in the Gaza test, where human values are tested, and said
"Some will give unconditional support to Israel, cover up its massacres, shelve their conscience and act as Israel's lawyer on every platform. As Muslims, we will do what our Lord commands. We will protect our Palestinian brothers and sisters with all our means, regardless of who says what. We will clearly show our reaction to Israel's massacres at every opportunity by staying on legitimate ground. We will not allow Israel to silence every conscientious voice with the stick of antisemitism. We will continue to expose the genocidal murderers, unmask them and shout their massacres. We will encourage our leaders to put more pressure on Israel and take commercial, legal and diplomatic steps to force Israel to ceasefire. We will increase the aid we send to the oppressed in Gaza and Ramallah and we will start preparations for the reconstruction of Gaza."
President Erbaş: "The world needs the universal values of Islam more than ever"
In his speech, President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş pointed out that today the world is experiencing one of the most difficult periods of its history under the siege of gigantic problems such as wars, poverty, terrorism and hopelessness, and said, "The world is in need of the universal values, beautiful morals and principles of Islam that uphold the right more than ever. On the other hand, we sadly observe that Muslims, who should be the hope of the world with the message of mercy of Islam, are facing serious problems in the world."
Noting that they will discuss important issues in this two-day summit, President Erbaş said, "Presentations will be made around 5 topics. We will discuss the ways of representing and communicating Islam in the most ideal way according to the changing and developing conditions and providing better service to humanity, especially the Islamic world. We will discuss the possibilities of combating Islamophobia and similar problems that are turned into Islamophobia more effectively. Inshallah, we will talk about how we can support Gaza and Palestine more strongly to stop the oppression and massacre of the occupying cruel Israel. Regardless of religion, language and race, we will call on the whole world and all humanity to stop this massacre and genocide."
The World Islamic Scholars Summit, which includes 92 participants from the Islamic World, will end on Wednesday 14 May 2024.
