In a speech delivered Thursday during a meeting at his Justice and Development Party headquarters in the capital Ankara, Erdogan congratulated all citizens on the month of Ramadan, which begins next week, wishing that it would bring goodness to all of humanity.
Erdogan stated that the first part of the blessed month of Ramadan is mercy, the middle part is forgiveness, and the last part is deliverance from hellfire, adding: "We are determined, as in every year, to live this blessed month with great enthusiasm, the month of cooperation, mutual support and solidarity."
He pointed out that the party had prepared a comprehensive plan in this regard with the contribution of its women’s and youth wings and based on his directives, adding that the party’s youth would continue their activities in the “5 Minutes Before Iftar” and “5 Minutes Before Suhoor” campaigns.
Erdogan stressed that the party’s women’s wing will take advantage of the month of mercy and blessing in the best way possible through various activities, knocking on the doors of the poor, holding the hands of strangers, and wiping away the tears of orphans and the deprived.
He added: "While we are doing all this within our country, we will of course not neglect our citizens and brothers living abroad. We will organize breakfast programs during which we will meet with Turks in Europe."
He continued: "We will not forget the oppressed in Gaza and Syria during Ramadan this year as well. That is, we will strive, both at home and abroad, with a spirit of full mobilization, to realize the blessed month of Ramadan and revive it in the best possible way."
Erdogan noted that he expects a great effort from the mayors in particular, and continued: "The weather is cold, we are in the middle of winter, and you are like the city trustees in the provinces where you perform your duties."
The Turkish President said: “If, during the holy month of Ramadan, there is even one house where no pot boils and no stove is lit, then the burden of that falls first and foremost on us, and we must be well aware of that, for none of us can justify it in this world or tomorrow before the Divine Court.”
He added: “Remember our master Omar, how he used to knock on doors, and how he used to listen to see if there was a sound of crying inside or not. We too, as members of that nation, are obligated to be very sensitive in these matters.”
He continued: "Therefore, I ask you to definitely find those houses, to visit the residents of the poor neighborhoods, to convey my greetings to them, to take care of each of my brothers closely, and to share their circumstances and concerns."
