Premiere of TRT's "Conqueror of Quds, Selahaddin Eyyubi" Series

Before the gala, Sobacı addressed the press, expressing pride in presenting the new series that narrates the struggle of Selahaddin Eyyubi, a significant historical figure. Sobacı stated, "Selahaddin Eyyubi, who expelled the Crusader armies from Jerusalem in 1187, has left a lasting mark on his era and subsequent centuries. Saying, 'How can I smile when Jerusalem is under occupation?' Selahaddin Eyyubi, with great conviction, sends a profound message to the occupiers of this sacred place through the victory he achieved."

Sobacı highlighted the ongoing atrocities committed by Israel in Jerusalem and Gaza, condemning the international media's silence and actions legitimizing these injustices. He emphasized TRT's commitment to showcasing the atrocities in Gaza and the suffering of Jerusalem and the region, considering it a humanitarian, moral, historical, and Islamic duty.

"We wanted to bring Eyyubi's struggle to the screen"

Emphasizing the historical governance of Jerusalem under oppression and prosperity, Sobacı stated, "In our Selahaddin Eyyubi series project, we aimed to bring to the screen the historical drama of Selahaddin Eyyubi's struggle, victory, and unifying power with his war tactics and great faith after the Crusades. I hope this valuable project contributes to making the sanctity of Jerusalem and the struggle of Palestine more visible for all Muslims."

Sobacı referred to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statement that Palestine is a red line for Turkey, stating that the "Selahaddin Eyyubi" series reflects this in the world of production.

"A character loved even by enemies"

Uğur Güneş, portraying the role of "Selahaddin Eyyubi," described the series as a project that brings uniqueness to Turkey and the world. He expressed, "The character I portray is, as the name suggests, the Conqueror of Jerusalem. Renowned for his mercy, justice, and knowledge, he is loved even by his enemies. Therefore, portraying this character is crucial to me."

Dilin Döğer, who plays the character "Süreyya" in the series, emphasized the transformative leadership of Selahaddin Eyyubi worldwide. She said, "Being part of a project that tells the story of his life is both a responsibility and an exciting experience for me."

Tuvana Türkay, playing the role of "Countess Victoria," expressed her excitement about portraying a fearless woman from a noble family. She said, "I play a woman with determination, educated, and from a noble family. She has ambitions but is not a villain. A woman who fights for what she believes in is not a bad person. So, she is a woman fighting for her cause."

"We are working on a very grand and magnificent set"

Ekin Türkmen, portraying "Queen Melike," spoke about the impressive scale of the production, saying, "We are working on a very grand and magnificent set. I am always amazed; everything is incredibly beautiful. The art team has done a great job. I eagerly await everyone's viewing. It's a huge production. Hopefully, we will get the reward we deserve."

Kaan Çakır, playing the character "Nusreddin Zengi," expressed his excitement about the project, expecting it to be a long-lasting, enjoyable, quality, and beautiful work for everyone. He emphasized his pride in working with TRT, mentioning his previous collaboration on the film "Muna."

Seda Yıldız, portraying "Governor Necmeddin Eyyubi," underscored the significance of the series in depicting Jerusalem, stating, "We eagerly await this evening. Let's see how much we can show the return for our efforts. I thank all our directors, backstage crew, and fellow actors."

Sezgin Erdemir, playing the character "Şirkuh," highlighted Selahaddin Eyyubi's leadership and expressed hope for successfully narrating his story. He acknowledged the dedication and long preparation of everyone involved in the project.

Following the press conference, the premiere of the first episode of the series took place.

The series, directed by Sedat İnci and written by Serdar Özönalan, brings to the screen the story of the great commander who liberated Jerusalem. The cast includes Uğur Güneş, Dilin Döğer, Mehmet Ali Nuroğlu, Kaan Çakır, Erdinç Gülener, Tuvana Türkay, Ekin Türkmen, Gökçe Akyıldız, Sezgin Erdemir, Ece Özdikici, and Seda Yıldız.