The 15th of July is the anniversary of the day when our heroic nation protected its country, state, and democracy against betrayers with unprecedented bravery and determination.

“Today, it has become evident that FETO is a terror network that claims to base itself on religion. It has used them for its dark and wicked targets by manipulating and destroying all values of Islam. It has traitorously abused the sincerest feelings and moral and religious sensitivities of our people for years through a secret and strict hierarchical structuring.

As an extrinsic crime and terror organization, FETO tried to cover its dark face with the disguise of religion, and consequently, intended to damage our country, unity, solidarity, brotherhood, freedom, and future on July 15, 2016.

However, spoiling the game of the coup plotter betrayers and leaving hundreds of martyrs and thousands of veterans behind, our dear nation declared to the entire world on July 15 that it is never going to bow down before the ones who intend to damage its democratic will.

The traitorous coup attempt once again showed that ignorance about religious matters and incorrect religious information cause individual and social problems and all needs that are not satisfied correctly constitute potential fields of abuse.

So, today we have to be more careful and wiser about and more aware of those who call people to be servants of their whims on behalf of Islam.

It is a non-ignorable responsibility to tell humanity about the truths of Islam in line with the Holy Qur’an and sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the most beautiful way and to raise awareness of our citizens in order that they don’t get trapped by the abusers.

On this matter, the Presidency of Religious Affairs is going to continue to fulfill its responsibilities against and keep informing our nation about those who abuse the good intention and innocent feelings of our people, mischief by using concepts of Islam, sow seeds of duality between the members of our society with incorrect information, and make misleading statements and activities.

On this occasion, I would like to wish Allah’s (swt) mercy upon all our martyrs who sacrificed themselves with a passion of epic resistance on the 15th of July for our country to have a bright future.

With the same spirit, I would also like to extend my gratitude to our veterans who wrote a saga back then for the sake of our values and country and to our dear nation that struggled against the traitorous coup attempt bravely.”

Prof. Dr. Ali ERBAŞ

President Presidency of Religious Affairs