ISTANBUL
It is impossible for Turkey to stand by what happens in the region including the deaths of innocent people and the deportation of millions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday as he delivered a message to mark the beginning of the holy Feast of Sacrifice or Kurban Bayram.
"We do not have our eye on the lands of any country," Erdogan said, "we want peace, tranquillity, prosperity, and safety in our region."
The Turkish President wished that the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice, also called Eid al Adha, would bring mercy towards Turkey's "oppressed brothers".
"Turkey very deeply shares the pain of those in our region, and very much wants to see that all children, as well as ours, can enjoy the feast atmosphere," he said asking the Turkish people to pray for the poor and suffering.
Congratulating the feast of all Turkish citizens, Erdogan stressed that the Feast of Sacrifice is a time of sharing, solidarity, generosity, and making the poor happier.
The Islamic celebration of Eid al Adha will start on Saturday and will last for four days, during which millions of Muslims will practise sacrificing sheep and calves, based on their belief in the religious story of Abraham and his son Ishmael, according to the Holy Quran.
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