Created with superior qualifications and finest attributes, human has a distinct and respectable place among all creations What makes human so respectable is that human is the addressee of the divine appeal, has a sense of responsibility, and human's good behavior and moral stance towards people. No human loses respectability due to certain physical disabilities by birth or acquired later in life.

What is essential for human is to be aware that the life in this world is temporal and a test. It is essential for human to lead a life in gratitude, patience, resolution, hopefulness and good morals. Just as being disabled is not a deficiency or a flaw, being healthy is not a reason for superiority either. In this respect, what falls upon the society is to remove the obstacles from the way of people with disabilities, facilitate their lives, and support them.

Prophet Muhammad (saw), who devoted all his life to assuring human dignity, grace, freedom and respectability and every stage of whose life is the ideal example for us, took special care of about fifty disabled companions including visually-impaired, orthopedically handicapped, and hearing-impaired people. He encouraged them to participate in the social life at every stage of life. He always employed them in jobs fit for their abilities, praised those people who supported them, and gave good news that Allah would grant them with many rewards and Paradise those who tried patiently and resolutely to hold on to life.

The care, sensitivity and awareness that we demonstrate towards all our brothers and sisters with disabilities, which is a reality of life, by adopting an understanding which has a sense of responsibility, compassion, and justice will lead to compassion, spiritual abundance and peace in our individual and social life.

I would like to take this opportunity to pray to the Almighty Allah that the 3 December International Day of Persons with Disabilities may turn into a hope in all spheres of life for our people with disabilities, and wish all my brothers and sisters with disabilities and their relatives a happy and peaceful life. I would also like to emphasize that we as the Presidency of Religious Affairs with all our colleagues are always by your side, and greet you with my most heartfelt feelings.

Prof. Ali ERBAŞ

President of Religious Affairs