Erdogan issues message of hope ahead of Eid al-Adha

By Selma Kasap

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday issued a message of hope ahead of Eid al-Adha, saying nation would never bow to the threat of terrorism.

In his message on the eve of the Muslim festival, Erdogan mentioned the key historic victories; 1071 Malazgirt victory and 1922 Dumlupinar victory, anniversaries of which were observed just before the Eid al-Adha.

The Battle of Malazgirt, also known as Battle of Manzikert, on Aug. 26, saw Seljuk Turks led by Sultan Alparslan defeat a Byzantine army and open up Anatolia for Turkish domination.

The Dumlupinar Battle on Aug. 30, also saw invading Greek forces' eventual defeat at the hands of the Turkish army.

“We also see July 15, 2016 [defeated coup] as a ring of our people’s chain of victories,” he said.

The Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

“We know that our nation will never bow to terrorist organizations and dark elements, who used them [terror organizations] as a pawn," the president said.

“We will proceed on our way steadfastly until we move our country above the level of contemporary civilization with our democracy, economy and foreign policy.”

Expressing his hopes that Eid al-Adha would bring goodness to all the humanity and Islamic world, the president called for prayers for the people suffering across the globe, particularly Rohingya Muslims.

Violence erupted in Myanmar’s Rakhine State on Aug. 25 when the country’s security forces launched an operation against Rohingya Muslim community.

Later, media reports emerged saying Myanmar security forces used disproportionate force and displaced thousands of Rohingya villagers, destroying homes with mortars and machine guns.