20.03.2026 15:10
Israel did not reopen the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which it closed after its attacks on Iran, even during the Ramadan holiday. Palestinians who came for the holiday prayer were intervened against, and they had to perform their congregational prayers in the streets and avenues. Thus, for the first time since 1967, holiday prayers could not be held at Al-Aqsa. Reacting to this situation, President Erdoğan strongly criticized Israel, stating, "They continue their banditry."
Speaking at the Eid al-Fitr Program in Rize, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan harshly criticized Israel's closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque for worship, using the pretext of restrictions following its attacks on Iran.
Erdoğan stated, "As the Islamic world, we are trying to overcome another path filled with obstacles and traps. Wherever we turn our faces, we encounter drama, pain, and tragedy. The Russia-Ukraine war to our north has entered its fifth year. The Zionist genocide network in Gaza continues to obstruct humanitarian aid efforts and persists in destruction and banditry. They closed Al-Aqsa Mosque for worship under the pretext of the Iran war. They accelerated illegal settlement activities and expansionist policies in Palestinian territories. Netanyahu continues to threaten global peace with terrorism," he said.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;
"I sincerely congratulate the entire Islamic world on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. I hope that these blessed days will strengthen the unity, brotherhood, and beautiful atmosphere of solidarity among us.
I send my strongest messages of solidarity to all our friends who are spending the holiday with sorrow and grief, especially in Gaza and all the lands where our hearts ache. Together, we will heal our wounds and witness those beautiful days when children's faces will smile. We have tried to revive the holy month of Ramadan, which begins with mercy, is in the middle with forgiveness, and ends with salvation from eternal torment, in the best way possible. We shared the same table with all segments of our nation, from the families of martyrs and veterans to our educational army, health workers, farmers, and laborers. We breathed in the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan at the same time. With the prayers we raised to the heavens through our worship, our supplications, and our zakat, charity, and assistance, we have been striving to observe the month of Ramadan.
In the end, thank God, we have reached Eid al-Fitr together with all our brothers who face the same qibla as us, as members of the Ummah of Muhammad.
This unique holiday is solely our holiday. God willing, we will celebrate our Eid al-Fitr in a manner befitting us. With our visits to friends, relatives, and our solidarity and assistance activities, we will do justice to this holiday.
111TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GALLIPOLI VICTORY
We commemorated the 111th anniversary of our Gallipoli Naval Victory on March 18. With the sacrifices of our women, children, and elderly behind the front lines, we recorded this victory in history. We showed everyone in the world, friend and foe alike, what people united like the bricks of a wall, through faith, belief, and solidarity, can achieve.
"WE ARE MOBILIZING ALL OUR RESOURCES"
Now, as the Islamic world, we are trying to overcome another path filled with obstacles and traps. Wherever we turn our faces, we encounter drama, pain, and tragedy. The Russia-Ukraine war to our north has entered its fifth year. The Zionist genocide network in Gaza continues to obstruct humanitarian aid efforts and persists in destruction and banditry. They closed Al-Aqsa Mosque for worship under the pretext of the Iran war. They accelerated illegal settlement activities and expansionist policies in Palestinian territories. Netanyahu continues to threaten global peace with terrorism. The Iran-centered attacks that began on February 28 have further deepened the instability in our region. Since March 2, 1,000 people have lost their lives in Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The number of those forcibly displaced has exceeded 1 million. As Turkey, we are mobilizing all our resources for the establishment of peace and tranquility, and for dialogue and diplomacy to be reactivated. We are doing whatever it takes to ensure that our country is not affected by the fire circle in the region.
"OUR NATION CAN BE AT EASE"
Our nation can be at ease. If the forces of evil have a plan, the Lord of the worlds, Allah, also has a plan. Sooner or later, Allah's plan will prevail over all other plans. We will never fall into despair."