Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, the President of Religious Affairs, opened the Imam Serahsi Mosque and Social Complex, which had been built by Turkiye Diyanet Foundation in the city of Uzgen of Kyrgyzstan.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the mosque built next to the tomb of Imam Sarakhsi, one of the famous Islamic scholars, Erbaş, the President of Religious Affairs stated that he brought kindest regards from Turkey and said: “Today, I would like to openly express that I am very happy, honoured and excited to be with you on the occasion of the opening of a holy place of worship in this precious land. Because these lands have a very special place in Islamic culture and civilization.”

President Erbaş said that this land is where many scholars and walis who have enlightened the horizon of humanity throughout history have come up.

Stating that in Islamic thought and societies, mosques are in the heart of life, in the centers of cities, and at the foundations, President Erbaş said: “The history of humanity has been formed around a place of worship. The Holy Qur'an introduces the Kaʿbah, the first place of worship on earth, to us as a source of mercy and guidance to the worlds. The first thing our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) did in Madinah al-Munawwarah after the Hijrah was to build a masjid. The Islamic community in Madinah took shape around that Al-Masjid al-Nabawi.”

“Mosques are the centres of cooperation, unity and brotherhood.”

President Erbaş explained the functions of this mosque built by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and said: “Al-Masjid al-Nabawi has always been a center of life where needs are met, problems are resolved and the orphans are protected. It has become a center of life in which literature, good manners, knowledge and wisdom are instilled. As a matter of fact, the generation of the sahabah (companions), the most distinguished group of Islam, came up in that masjid.”

Expressing that mosques are the symbol of the belief of tawhid (oneness), President Erbaş said, “Mosques are the centers of cooperation, unity and brotherhood. They are the identity of Islamic societies. They are centers of knowledge, with their pulpit and minbars, where the superior order of humanity is taught, and lessons of science and ethics, merit and wisdom are taught.

“Muslims established great civilizations”

Pointing out that Islam means the peace, law and nobility, he continued as follows:

“Under the guidance of the last divine message, the Qur'an, and in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), Muslims, from Andalusia to the Fergana Valley, established a deep-rooted tradition of knowledge and great civilizations based on the legacy of the Prophets and enlightened the horizon of humanity. These scholars, who compiled works that would lead post-centuries, brought the peace, wisdom and well-being of Islam to the whole world. Imam Sarakhsi, a great scholar, faqih, and scholar of al-qalam, is one of them. Along with many of his books, his magnificent work, especially Kitab al-Mabsuṭ, is the first and most voluminous work in which the fiqh opinions and evidences in the Hanafi sect are discussed in the widest way and a systematic analysis is made.”

“We are members of the same belief, history and culture,” said President Erbaş, and added: “We are members of a civilization that carries knowledge, wisdom, and love from Fergana Valley to seven continents. I would like to emphasize that transferring the richnesses brought to our worlds of knowledge, wisdom, and culture by these lands, which are the mawara of Islamic thought and morality, to our generations in the best manner is of significant importance, in terms of the future of our geography, ummah, and the humanity.”

“This mosque is a gift for the 30th anniversary of the Kyrgyzstan State’s independence”

President Erbaş concluded his speech as follows:

“I commemorate with gratitude Abu Bakr Muhammad b. Abu Sahl al-Sarakhsi who stamped his seal to one of the most fertile centers of the history of Islamic civilization, the Fergana valley, the one called as the "Sun of Imams" in our sources, and I would like to express my satisfaction for the construction of such a magnificent mosque named after him. I would like to thank everyone who has morally and materially supported the establishment of this magnificent work. Insha Allah, from now on, this mosque will provide very good services with the great support of both our nation and our Presidents. I believe that this mosque is a gift for the 30th independence year of the Kyrgyzstan State. May our Almighty Allah make this mosque the center of unity and solidarity, peace and brotherhood. May it be a center of knowledge, education, reason and wisdom. May it be the school of morals, manners and virtue.”

President Erbaş, who opened the mosque, then delivered a khutbah and led the Friday Prayer.

President Erbaş also visited the tomb of Imam Sarakhsi and prayed.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Ahmet Sadık Doğan, Ambassador of Turkey to Bishkek; Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ünsal, the President of Religious Affairs of Kyrgyz Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; Toygonbay Abdikarov, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic State Commission on Religious Affairs; Assoc. Dr. Selim Argun, the Vice President of Religious Affairs; Erdal Atalay, Foreign Relations Director General; Hafiz Osman Şahin, Chairman of the Mushafs Review and Recitation Board; Mürsel Öztürk, Bishkek Religious Affairs Counsellor and many citizens.