Erdoğan marks Eid with Gaza solidarity message

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked Eid al-Adha with a message of solidarity for Palestinians in Gaza and said Türkiye would continue supporting diplomatic efforts to ease regional conflicts.

In his Eid message on May 27, Erdoğan described the holiday as a “spiritual blessing” and said he hoped it would bring goodness to Türkiye, the Turkish nation, the Islamic world and all humanity.

“To all our brothers and sisters who are welcoming this holiday with sadness, pain and deep sorrow in different corners of our spiritual geography, particularly those in Gaza, I extend my strongest messages of solidarity on behalf of myself and my nation,” Erdoğan said.

Millions of people across Türkiye performed Eid prayers on the first day of the holiday.

Speaking to reporters after Eid prayers at Çamlıca Mosque in Istanbul, Erdoğan said religious holidays were days of “love, respect, unity, togetherness and solidarity.”

He said the situation in Gaza had cast a shadow over Eid celebrations for Muslims in Türkiye and around the world.

Erdoğan also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a “tyrant” and saying he believed Muslims worldwide would stand against Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Türkiye has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, expanded humanitarian aid access and stronger international pressure on Israel.

Separately, Erdoğan spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 26, discussing bilateral ties as well as regional and global developments, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said.

Erdoğan told Pezeshkian that Türkiye would continue working with “brotherly countries” to support peace and stability in the region and provide backing for negotiations to produce positive results. 

He also said regional conflicts had cast a shadow over Eid al-Adha and expressed confidence that the Iranian people would overcome the difficult period and reach safety and stability.