Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday marked the Muslim holiday of Eid-al Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice.
In a message, Erdogan described Eid al-Adha as a “spiritual blessing” and said he hoped the occasion would bring goodness to Türkiye, the Turkish nation, the Islamic world, and humanity as a whole.
“To all our brothers and sisters who are welcoming this holiday with sadness, pain and deep sorrow in different corners of our spiritual geography, particularly those in Gaza, I extend my strongest messages of solidarity on behalf of myself and my nation, and I congratulate them individually on Eid al-Adha,” he said.
Millions across Türkiye on Wednesday performed prayers on the first day of the holiday.
Separately, speaking to reporters at the Camlica Mosque in Istanbul following the Eid prayer, Erdogan said religious holidays are meant to strengthen social bonds and mutual support.
“Above all, holidays are days of love, respect, unity, togetherness, and solidarity,” he said.
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The Turkish leader said the situation in Gaza cast a shadow over the celebrations for Muslims in Türkiye and across the world.
