President of Religious Affairs Erbaş: ‘We are a nation that has been instrumental in the elimination of oppression in the world’

The President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, stated, ‘Wherever there is oppression and suffering in the world, we are a generous and tolerant nation that extends a helping hand and contributes to the elimination of negativity there.’ President of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, attended the ‘End-of-Year Celebration of Quran Courses for 4-6 Year Olds’ organized by the Keçiören Mufti in Ankara. Erbaş visited the Palestinian children at the event area, chatted with them for a while, and then toured the workshops prepared by the Quran course students. In his speech, Erbaş drew attention to the education provided in the Quran courses, saying, ‘Our children are taught the values that all of our generation must have so beautifully by our teachers in Quran courses; we want such a youth that embodies justice, tolerance, responsibility, compassion, cooperation, friendship, love, patience, respect, generosity. In societies that possess these values, there is peace, harmony, happiness, and hope.’
‘May the curse of Allah be upon the oppressors.’ Erbaş mentioned the massacre in Gaza, saying, ‘Our children’s peers are perhaps even younger than them. In Gaza, under the bombs of cruel occupiers, 15-20 thousand children have lost their lives. May the curse of Allah be upon those oppressors. May the help of our Lord be with our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Palestine. We are Muslims, believers, and we always carry hope. Today, as Muslims, we strive to do whatever we can and speak out what we can.’ Erbaş invited all Muslims around the world and all conscientious people to take a stand against the cruel occupiers committing genocide in Gaza, saying, ‘O oppressors, O occupiers, are you even human? Do you have any humanity left? Do you have mercy, tolerance? You cannot be human. We must shout this out constantly. Our children are shouting. O oppressors, O occupiers. Feel ashamed in front of our children.’
‘We have taught our values to nearly 1.5 million children.’ Erbaş stated that 254 thousand children have learned tolerance, generosity, hope, peace, etiquette, patience, love, respect, cooperation, friendship, and compassion in Quran courses, and added, ‘We need to support these children raised with these values and increase their numbers. Today, we have millions of preschool children in our country. We are a country with 28 million students. This is a very important value, a great asset. We must raise our youth, children, and students with a spirit that embraces these values. We have taught these to nearly 1.5 million children who have graduated from 4-6 year old Quran courses so far. This will benefit our society, it will not harm.’
‘We are very happy with the support of our families.’ Erbaş thanked the parents who send their children to Quran courses, saying, ‘As the Presidency of Religious Affairs, our activities in 4-6 year education, youth centers, Family Guidance Centers established in provinces and districts, your support makes us very happy. May Allah be pleased with you.’
‘We are a nation that contributes to the elimination of oppression in the world.’ Erbaş expressed that Turkey will become a role model for the world by strengthening in all areas, saying, ‘Wherever there is oppression and suffering in the world, we are a generous and tolerant nation that extends a helping hand and contributes to the elimination of negativity there. Our ancestors introduced justice to the world. As worthy grandchildren of our ancestors, we continue to follow in their footsteps. May the Almighty not stray us from this path.’