Post by sublime92 on May 9, 2017 20:29:02 GMT
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Muslims around the world to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to protect the site's Islamic identity. The Turkish leader also took the opportunity to heap scorn on Israel, likening the country's policies to South Africa's Apartheid era.
Speaking in Istanbul at a charity conference discussing Palestinian economic development, Erdogan lashed out at Israel regarding its settlement plans in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
"We, as Muslims, should be visiting Al-Quds more often," Erdogan said, using the Arabic name for Jerusalem. "Each day that Jerusalem is under occupation is an insult to us."
As many as 26,000 Turks visited the Temple Mount, or Noble Sanctuary, in 2016. However, Erdogan emphasised "hundreds of thousands" should be visiting the site, which is considered holy by Muslims. "[It] would be the greatest support to our brothers there," he said.
"Al-Quds is holy for all three divine religions. It is the heart and summary of all human history.
"Both in terms of our religion and historical responsibility, Al-Quds and the fight of our Palestinian brothers for rights and justice is of great importance to us. We will keep making efforts for Quds to turn into a city of peace."
Erdogan also said that permanent peace in the region would only be possible with a "fair solution to the Palestinian issue".
"What's the difference between the present acts of the Israeli administration and the racist and discriminatory politics that were practised against black people in the past in America – and up until a short time ago in South Africa."
"Here is the only solution. The establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of 1967," said Erdogan, according to Anadolu.
Speaking in Istanbul at a charity conference discussing Palestinian economic development, Erdogan lashed out at Israel regarding its settlement plans in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
"We, as Muslims, should be visiting Al-Quds more often," Erdogan said, using the Arabic name for Jerusalem. "Each day that Jerusalem is under occupation is an insult to us."
As many as 26,000 Turks visited the Temple Mount, or Noble Sanctuary, in 2016. However, Erdogan emphasised "hundreds of thousands" should be visiting the site, which is considered holy by Muslims. "[It] would be the greatest support to our brothers there," he said.
"Al-Quds is holy for all three divine religions. It is the heart and summary of all human history.
"Both in terms of our religion and historical responsibility, Al-Quds and the fight of our Palestinian brothers for rights and justice is of great importance to us. We will keep making efforts for Quds to turn into a city of peace."
Erdogan also said that permanent peace in the region would only be possible with a "fair solution to the Palestinian issue".
"What's the difference between the present acts of the Israeli administration and the racist and discriminatory politics that were practised against black people in the past in America – and up until a short time ago in South Africa."
"Here is the only solution. The establishment of a fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital along the lines of 1967," said Erdogan, according to Anadolu.
