Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a stirring and impassioned speech on Thursday at the award ceremony of the Holy Quran Fine Recitation Competition, held at the Beştepe Nation’s Exhibition Hall in Ankara.

The event, which celebrates excellence in Quranic recitation, provided a platform for Erdoğan to address pressing global issues, blending spiritual reflection with a sharp critique of international affairs.

In his remarks, Erdoğan expressed his heartfelt wishes for Laylat al-Qadr—a revered night in Islam marking the revelation of the Quran—to usher in auspicious outcomes not only for the Islamic world but for all of humanity. He specifically prayed for the salvation of those enduring oppression and resisting what he described as “genocides” in regions such as Gaza and Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Somalia, and numerous other conflict zones. “May this holy night bring relief to the heroic souls standing against tyranny,” he said, setting a tone of solidarity and hope.

The Turkish leader reserved his strongest words for Israel, accusing its “Zionist administration” of violating a ceasefire agreement established on January 19 and escalating its military operations in Gaza in recent days. He pointed to what he called deliberate and unlawful attacks on hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical workers—targets he emphasized are protected under international norms, even in times of war. “The Israeli administration, growing more rogue and emboldened by the silence of Western powers, persists in its policy of genocide, even during the sacred month of Ramadan,” Erdoğan declared. He cited devastating statistics, noting that nearly 80% of Gaza’s infrastructure lies in ruins, with the few remaining structures now crumbling under relentless bombardment.

Erdoğan reported that Israel’s latest wave of attacks has claimed the lives of over 700 Palestinians—most of them women and children—while leaving hundreds more injured. “These are inhumane acts,” he said, offering prayers for Allah’s mercy upon the martyrs and a swift recovery for the wounded. He urged the audience to keep the Palestinian people in their thoughts and prayers during Laylat al-Qadr, reinforcing Türkiye’s unwavering commitment to their cause. “All should know that we will always stand by our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” he asserted. “We will support them with humanitarian relief, diplomatic outreach, and our peaceful, principled stance advocating justice. Türkiye will provide every form of assistance necessary to end the oppression and genocide in Gaza at once.”

Broadening his address, Erdoğan turned to the global stage, warning of a troubling rise in violence and competition as the international system established after World War II undergoes a profound restructuring. “The dose of violence is intensifying each passing day,” he observed, lamenting the erosion of humanity’s shared values and legacy. He criticized international organizations—founded to ensure peace, stability, and security—for failing in their missions, arguing that their inaction has deepened humanitarian crises worldwide. “The occupation and genocide in Palestine, ongoing for one and a half years, have yet to be halted,” he said. “Famine, drought, and poverty persist in Africa, unresolved for decades.”

Erdoğan highlighted the scale of global suffering, noting that over 280 million people across more than 60 countries face acute food insecurity, while millions more endure systematic pressures, discrimination, and assimilation policies. “This is a grim picture,” he said, before offering a candid self-reflection on the Islamic world’s role in these challenges. “Let me speak openly: the negligence and disorganization within the Islamic world are as culpable as the architects of the global order,” he admitted. He argued that internal divisions—driven by sectarian fanaticism, ethnic rivalries, and petty disputes—sap the energy of Muslim communities, leaving them unable to effectively address external threats or seize opportunities. “We are so consumed by our own problems that we cannot focus on the wider world,” he said.

In a rallying call, Erdoğan urged the Islamic world to set aside differences of ethnicity, sect, or nationality and unite in brotherhood. “We must hold firm to our shared values and stand together against this tide of injustice,” he said, emphasizing that such unity is essential to confront the mounting challenges facing Muslims globally.

The speech, delivered against the backdrop of a spiritually significant event, underscored Erdoğan’s dual role as a religious and political leader, blending faith-based appeals with a forceful critique of international failures. As Türkiye continues to position itself as a vocal advocate for Palestine and a key player in regional affairs, Erdoğan’s words resonate as both a condemnation of oppression and a plea for collective action. (ILKHA)