(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday slammed the West and the international community at large for keeping silent at the Israelis violations in Jerusalem and the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque.
"What would the world do if synagogues or churches in our (Muslim) countries were liable to violations similar to those at Al-Aqsa Mosque?" he wondered, adding: "Yet, we don't allow such a thing in our countries because there is no room in our Islamic faith for such violations." President Erdogan made the comments at the closing session of the First Latin American Muslim Leaders Religious Summit.
"Al-Aqsa Mosque doesn't belong to the Palestinians only; it's a matter of concern for all Muslims around the globe as well.
"It's our first 'qibla' (the direction a Muslim faces when praying). All of us should a formidable responsibility towards it but notice how the world keeps silent (at the Israeli transgressions), he pointed out.
The Turkish leader voiced hope that the just-ended summit will serve as a means of strengthening friendship and solidarity between his country and the Latin American countries.
The gathering is an attempt to meet the needs of the Latin American Muslims and do justice to all beleaguered people, he said, noting that Turkey's Religious Affairs Foundation (TDV) spares no effort in spreading the true values of Islam.
"Islam is the faith of all people aspiring for justice and equality, and doesn't coerce anyone into being a Muslim by any means weather weapons, money or blackmailing. To the contrary, it is a way to confront injustice and manipulation," he stressed.
The summit, organized by the TDV in Istanbul, opened on Wednesday with 76 religious leaders from more than 40 countries taking part.
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