After the Syria summit of Turkey, Russia and Iran held a joint press conference in Ankara. During the press conference, President Putin’s recitation of a verse from the Quran hit the headlines. Concerning the political tension between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, Putin stated the next by addressing the Quran “In order to solve the problems, a mutual solution has to be found by every country. Being in a Muslim country like Turkey now, I want to address the Quran with these verses: ‘And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.’ Issues that divide you, need to be kept in the background. Spiritual closeness has to be in the forefront. Unacceptability of violence is also mentioned in the Quran. (Source: News Agencies)
Comment:
The verse that Putin has read is Surah Al-I Imraan verse 103. وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللّٰهِ جَم۪يعاً وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْكُمْ اِذْ كُنْتُمْ اَعْدَٓاءً فَاَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَاَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِه۪ٓ اِخْوَاناًۚ وَكُنْتُمْ عَلٰى شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَاَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَاۜ كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّٰهُ لَكُمْ اٰيَاتِه۪ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.”
While there are tens of other verses in the Quran, it is quite meaningful that Putin read this verse, and it is clear that it goes about a verse which is carefully selected. Even though Putin addressed the verse regarding the Yemen issue, approaching it within the context of Syria will be much better. To narrow it down more, despite the fact that President of Iran Hasan Ruhani also sits at the table, Erdogan was the addressee of the message.
Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, Erdogan has ostensibly maintained a policy against Assad and has always said that Assad must go. Of course, Erdogan’s attitude is unrealistic. It is nothing more than manipulating both the people of Syria and his own people. Since the beginning of the revolution, Erdogan has carried out a dirty and rather insidious policy in order to keep Assad alive and give him life. Therefore, with this call from Putin, the conflict between Assad and Erdogan has been demanded to be put aside. In other words, Putin has made it clear that: “O Erdogan, you have to put aside a number of the so-called conflicts between you and Assad and get on well with him from now on. Look! Allah, of whom you believe, has made you brothers. He has united your hearts. The day is the day of brotherhood, unity and togetherness. So forget your anger and let it go. Otherwise you will lose your power. If you continue to act like this, we will not be able to resolve the Syrian issue.” He wanted to say, “if a number of groups emerge again in Syria and this time they establish a real caliphate, all our struggle so far will be in vain” and he also demanded him to accept Assad as the only legitimate ruler of Syria. In addition, Russia is now tired and worn out. There have been serious human and material losses in Syria and they want to get out of Syria as soon as possible.
On the other hand, Erdogan answered the question asked after the statements of Putin as follows: Yemen is ruined. Who is responsible for this? What kind of works can we carry out in order to reconstruct Yemen? We have to focus on these issues and think of solutions.
Erdogan degraded himself without fearing Allah by saying: “Who is responsible for Yemen.” He said that even though he knows which countries murdered the Muslims. If you are not aware of the ones responsible –sure you are- let us say it then.
Today, it is Putin, the Russian president whom you call my friend, who massacres Muslims in Syria and other Islamic regions and whom you offered figs from Aydin. The responsible is the same disbeliever Putin, who recites arrogantly verses from the Book he does not believe in and you, Erdogan, again remained silent in order to please him.
The responsible is Ruhani, who is the murderer of Muslims in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
The responsible is America and other imperialist states, which you declare as your ally and do not take even a step without permission and consider as your strategic partner at every turn. It is out of question that you do not know all these realities. As usual, you say this in order to manipulate the public with your smartness.
Therefore, Erdogan who claims to be standing by Muslims sits at the same table with the murderers of the Ummah. With the treaty of friendship you have declared, you associate their crime.
Yılmaz Çelik