Newsletters
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a religious ceremony in Ankara, declaring that Türkiye "cannot remain a bystander to what is happening in Palestine, to the atrocities of this tyrant called Netanyahu, this infidel."
The remarks came during the opening program for Mawlid al-Nabi Week at the Beştepe National Congress and Culture Center, where Erdogan addressed a gathering that included religious leaders from Muslim countries.
During his address, Erdogan announced that Türkiye has designated 2025 as the "Year of the Family," emphasizing the institution's importance in Turkish society. "The family is very, very important for us. All solutions and prescriptions that will make the family a nest of mercy and sacrifice, a hearth of intimacy and affection, exist in the family life of Allah's Messenger," he said.
The president referenced the Prophet Muhammad's teachings on family values, citing a hadith: "The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family."
Erdogan connected the religious observance to contemporary social issues, particularly addressing violence against women and children. "Especially in our day when violence against women and children has reached worrying dimensions, I believe we need to learn more about the Prophet's family life and take him as an example more," he stated.
The president described the Prophet Muhammad as someone who "approached children with compassion and mercy" and made corrections "by saying 'my little one' without hurting, without breaking the delicate heart of his interlocutor."
The ceremony marked what Erdogan described as the 1,500th anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's birth. He expressed hopes that the night of Mawlid would "bring good things for our country, our nation, Muslims and all humanity."
Erdogan concluded his remarks with prayers that the evening's supplications and worship would be accepted, asking that "hands raised to the sky be filled with mercy and compassion."
The event brought together religious scholars and leaders from various Muslim nations, reflecting Türkiye's role in Islamic diplomatic and cultural initiatives.
1 min read
