President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the Award Ceremony of the 11th International Holy Quran Memorization and Fine Recitation Contest at Beştepe Nation’s Convention and Culture Center in Ankara.
Beginning his speech at the ceremony by greeting the guests, President Erdoğan said: “I extend my greetings and affection to all my brothers and sisters across our kindred geography and throughout the world, whose hearts beat as one with ours, and who look upon our country and our nation with love, hope, and trust.”
Congratulating all the participants, President Erdoğan said: “As Muslims, we are going through a difficult and painful period. From Palestine to Lebanon, from the Gulf to Sudan, from Somalia to Yemen, wherever we turn our heads, we unfortunately see with tears. In these days of trial, when the so-called civilized world turns a blind eye, infants in cradles and defenseless civilians are being brutally massacred. Today, we are all witnessing the true faces of those who, for years, have lectured about justice, equality, and human rights and freedoms at every opportunity they’ve had.”
“Let me say this clearly: to succeed in this test, we have no other path but to cling tightly to the Qur’an and the Sunnah, to the rope of Allah. To pass this test, we have no other option but to believe in one another, to trust one another, and to support one another. As Muslims, we are obligated to set aside division, faction, and hostility, as well as pointless and untimely arguments, and stand united as one body,” President Erdoğan said.
“We will be patient and never lose hope. Like the bricks of a wall, we will stand firmly united. Inshallah, together we will build a peaceful future where there is no oppression and oppressors,” President Erdoğan said.
