In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful.
Dear distinguished guests, beloved sisters and brothers, ladies and gentlemen from all over the Islamic geography of Europe and Asia; I greet you with all my greatest emotions, warmest regards and love.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you.
I ask Allah that the 9th Eurasian Islamic Council, organized by our Presidency of Religious Affairs, be successful and lead to good deeds for Muslims and all humanity.

I welcome the scholars, religious functionaries and brothers, who have made the scene from Europe, Balkans, Caucasus, Black Sea basin, Volga region and from Central Asia to our country for this meeting.

It is also important that this meeting is held in Dolmabahçe Social Complex, one of the places that reflect strikingly the beauty of Istanbul city which combines Europe and Asia continents.

The main thing that makes this meeting important is being held after the coup attempt that took place on 15 July in Turkey.

If the coup in our country was an ordinary coup attempt, it probably would not be on the agenda of this Council.

The reason that makes the 15 July different and important fort his council is that; those who attempted the coup see themselves as a religious congregation and their leaders as so-called Mahdi.

We should analyze very well the reasons motivating the coup plotters, making them live a life of multiple personality to hide themselves for years, pointing their weapons to their own nation and country and being hell bent to shed blood.

Because this threat is not only common to Turkey.

We should not forget that there are also people who think that such organizations as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, who shed blood and set the Islamic geography on fire, serve a lofty aim.
 
The structure called FETO (Fetullah Terrorist Organization) is as grave a threat to Muslims and the whole world as ISIS with its educational and commercial activities in addition to its deviant beliefs.

As a matter of fact, this remarkable religion council that gathered at the beginning of August immediately after the July 15 coup attempt, bringing together the leading scholars, religious functionaries and the educators of our country, has made important determinations in this respect.

First of all, it has been come to an agreement that FETO is not a congregation or a religious group.

This organization, the true face of which cannot be seen due to its secret structure, is a sinister movement that exploits the religion, deems legitimate any means to achieve its aims, possesses shady revenues and endeavors to divide the Ummah.