Top Turkish cleric blasts 'heresies' painted as pride

KONYA, Turkey

Presenting “heresies” that destroy families and disregard moral values with concepts such as freedom and pride is part of a disinformation campaign, Turkey’s top cleric said Tuesday.

"A concept of woman which disables her being a mother and a concept of man which disables him being a father is a heresy which is contrary to human nature and creation," Ali Erbas, the head of the Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet), told a conference organized to address the issues facing Islam and Muslims.

"This heresy, which has been rejected and damned by all beliefs throughout history, is not only a matter for Muslims but for all humanity," Erbas said.

"It is the duty of all of us to educate, raise awareness, and protect our children and young people against deviant understandings," he added.

Islam sent to maintain balance of world

Erbas stressed that in eras when the principles of Islam guided life, humanitarian values and peace and trust prevailed.

He also underlined that Islam is a faith that was sent to maintain the balance of the world.

“Many good examples of justice, peace, and coexistence have been recorded in the civilizations established by Muslims from the 7th century until the 18th century,” Erbas said.

Underlining that the world has witnessed radical changes in social, political, economic and cultural fields since the 18th century, Erbas said: “Muslims were the most affected by this chaotic process.”

“Islamic regions were left to face difficult and troubled processes under wars, occupation, violence. and poverty,” he stressed.

Islamophobia a human rights issue

Erbas also pointed to the problem of rising Islamophobia, calling it an issue of global concerns for all Muslims.

He added that Islamophobia is a serious human rights problem based on vicious relationships centering on racism.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz