International Minbar-i Aksa 3rd Congress of Imams, Speakers and Inviters was held in Istanbul.
While scholars and opinion leaders from all over the world participated in the program, Prof. Dr. Ali Qaradaghi, Secretary General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, was among the participants.
Making special statements to the Milli Gazete, Prof. Dr. Ali Qaradaghi, Secretary General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars answered the questions of Muhammed Özdemir.
Talking about the current situation in Palestine, the Russia-Ukraine war and his memories with the leader of the National Vision (Milli Görüş) Movement Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan, Qaradaghi also touched upon the problems of the Muslim world.
“NORMALIZATION EFFORTS WITH ISRAEL ARE VERY SAD”
You follow the Palestinian cause closely. In recent times, Israel has intensified its aggressive stance towards the Palestinians, Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque. What is the latest situation in Palestine?
If the Palestinian cause is still standing and strong today, it is thanks to the faithful Muslim peoples. As long as there are loyal and believing people, the Palestinian cause will neither take a step back nor will it fall apart. Today, Muslims are ready to make all kinds of sacrifices for Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa. This is important for the Palestinian cause, but unfortunately some Arab and Muslim rulers show weakness in this regard. These leaders I have mentioned are trying to go to peace with the Zionist occupying Israel and try to normalize with them. I regret to express; Countries such as Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Turkey normalized their relations with the Zionist invaders. Some leaders and presidents support the Palestinian cause and we appreciate them, but the support of 'some', namely a few, is not enough to stop Israel, which is backed by the USA and Europe. Where there will be a unity against Israel in the Middle East, the conflicts show themselves. Despite all this, I can say that the Palestinian cause is advancing and developing. On the other hand, it is useful to state that the power of the occupying Israel is declining. It should be noted that although they built invading settlers and illegal occupation sites, they fell into a great chaos and conflict among themselves. I consider this situation of the invaders as a good news.
“VICTORY AND LIBERATION ARE IN SIDE OF THE MUSLIMS”
As Muslims, and especially as scholars, we have no doubt that victory and salvation will be on the side of Muslims. Insha'Allah, the conquest is near and this is the promise of Allah. So we have two realities before us. The first is Zionist Israel and the falsehood that accompany it. The second is those who are with Allah, that is, those who are on the truth. As a matter of fact, Allah states the following in our supreme book, the Qur'an, in verses 5-7 of the chapter of Isra:
"When the first of the two warnings would come to pass, We would send against you some of Our servants of great might, who would ravage your homes. This would be a warning fulfilled. Then ˹after your repentance˺ We would give you the upper hand over them and aid you with wealth and offspring, causing you to outnumber them. If you act rightly, it is for your own good, but if you do wrong, it is to your own loss. “And when the second warning would come to pass, your enemies would ˹be left to˺ totally disgrace you and enter the Temple ˹of Jerusalem˺ as they entered it the first time, and utterly destroy whatever would fall into their hands."
In this regard, we need to undertake serious and sincere works. Today, not only Muslims but also non-Muslims support the Palestinian cause. Why is that? Because the Palestinian cause is not only an Islamic cause, but also a humanitarian cause... The Palestinian cause is the cause of both Muslims, Arabs, Islam and humanity.
"DO NOT BE SURPRISE TO THE WEST'S DOUBLE STANDARD POLITICS"
As you know, there is an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. For years, Muslims have been massacred by Zionists and imperialists, but neither Europe nor Asia nor the Middle East has raised a voice. However, when the issue was Europe and the Europeans, as soon as the Ukraine war broke out, the whole world started shouting slogans "no to war", "don't let children die", "women should not die". Why is this hypocritical policy being implemented against Muslims?
Dear brother, do not be surprised by this situation. Because there is an order and scales that the West has adjusted for itself. In the scales of the West, one arm weighs the Muslims, while the other weighs the non-Muslims. If the issue is against Muslims, the attitude of the Westerners is against Muslims and they remain silent. However, if the issue develops against non-Muslims, then their attitudes and attitudes change completely. As long as we are not subject to them, they will not stand by us in any situation that develops against us. This unchanging policy of the West against Muslims is the 'double standard' policy that they cling to. Therefore, it is a must for Muslims to come together and form one ummah. Because today the world respects no one but the powerful. Those who are strong in science, economy, and the military and their troops are respected. We are not a simple nation! Look, our population is almost 2 billion and we have a presence in the east and west, north and south...
“IF WE CAN BE TOGETHER, WE HAVE THE POWER TO DOMINATE THE WORLD”
Subhanallah, it's as if we are at the center of the world and the whole world is gathered around us... We have the power to rule the world from east to west, from north to south. Allah has bestowed all kinds of underground and above-ground wealth to the Islamic Ummah. Our problem is our conflicts, divisions and wasting our wealth. Another fact of the hypocritical policy of the West is that with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the caliphate, they have created a nation-state discord among us. They set up such an order for each nation to establish their own nation-state, but this order is ignored when it comes to them. See, America and Britain occupied and incorporated many geographies. You cannot see such a nation-state nonsense in them. Due to the divide-piece-conquer project, Muslim countries are in pieces today. They killed millions of our people and these massacres continue. It is our duty to be one and strong, otherwise we oscillate between 'to be or not to be'.
ERBAKAN HODJA IS BOTH MUJAHID AND REFORMER
I used to visit and talk to Erbakan Hodja all the time. I see him as the reformer leader of the century. Erbakan Hodja was both a mujahid and a mujaddid. Being a reformer is not an easy task. It is not easy to innovate in science, science, ideas and economics. He made a great innovation by carrying his duty of invitation to politics. He was an intellectual as well as a mechanical engineer. He fought hard for the Islamic world and Muslims. May Allah accept his good deeds...
- Sir, you met the late National Vision leader Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan and you had a close friendship. Do you have any memories you want to tell us about Erbakan Hodja?
I had the honor of meeting Erbakan Hodja (Rahmatullah-i Alayh) a long time ago. I used to visit and talk to Erbakan Hodja all the time. I once visited Erbakan Hodja in his office in Ankara. At the time, they were working on a program related to economics. I think this work was about a book... Erbakan Hodja gave me the book and said; ‘Sheikh Ali, I am curious about your views on this book. Can you do a study on it?' I bought the book and wrote my own evaluations and opinions. When I was on my way to Istanbul again, I met with Erbakan Hodja, while he asked me about my views on the book. I gave my notes to Erbakan Hodja and he said to me, 'I hope we will take all your comments into consideration'. Indeed, I see Erbakan Hodja as the innovative leader of the century.
“ERBAKAN HODJA WAS AN INTELLECTUAL ENGINEER”
Erbakan Hodja was both a mujahid and a mujaddid (innovator). Being innovative is not an easy task. It is not easy to innovate in science, science, ideas and economics. He made a great innovation by carrying his duty of invitation to politics. Finally, I would like to tell my memory. About 6 months before Erbakan's death, I and Sheikh Yousef Qardawi went to visit him. The teacher was very sick at that time and was resting at home. On the other hand, we wanted to chat for 10 minutes and leave in order not to tire him, but Erbakan Hodja's chat and conversation was enough for us to sit there for 3 hours and listen to him. He talked about everything from regional and geographical issues to science and economy, and we listened with great interest. Erbakan Hodja was an intellectual engineer as well as a mechanical engineer... He fought hard for the Islamic world and Muslims. May Allah accept his good deeds...