Bilal Erdoğan and Delegation Visit Damascus, Pray at Umayyad Mosque
In a recent visit to Syria’s capital, Damascus, the President of the Foundation for the Dissemination of Knowledge, Bilal Erdoğan, accompanied by a delegation, embarked on a diplomatic journey. The delegation, which included prominent figures such as AK Party AK Party Deputy Chairman of the Grand National Assembly Abdulhamit Gül, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin, AK Party Member of Parliament for Eskişehir Fatih Dönmez, AK Party Member of Parliament for Bursa Mustafa Varank, AK Party Member of Parliament for İzmir Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu, and the Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Damascus Ambassador Burhan Köroğlu, set out to strengthen ties between Turkey and Syria.
Upon arrival in Damascus, the delegation paid a visit to the Governorate of Damascus, where they met with Governor Mahir Mervan. During this meeting, Bilal Erdoğan highlighted the historical ties between the two countries and peoples, conveying the greetings of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He emphasized that this visit, a desire of President Erdoğan, serves as a testament to the importance Turkey places on developments in Syria.
Expressing their eagerness to enhance relations with Syria, Erdoğan stated, “We are ready to offer our expertise in every field to serve our Syrian brothers.” He underscored the significance of supporting Damascus in various areas, particularly education, during this critical period in Syria. Erdoğan also emphasized the importance of preserving Ottoman artifacts in Syria through authentic and secure restoration processes.
Strengthening Brotherhood
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Fatma Şahin echoed Erdoğan’s sentiments, emphasizing the bond of brotherhood between the two nations, stating, “We are delighted to come to our neighbor and brother. We aim to strengthen our brotherhood.” Mustafa Varank highlighted Turkey’s support for the Syrian people, expressing optimism for the future, stating, “We hope that the upcoming period will be a period of construction. We will stand by Syria during this process.” Varank expressed the desire to host Governor Mervan in Turkey at the earliest opportunity.
Governor Mervan expressed gratitude to the Turkish delegation for their visit, detailing the challenges they have faced. He highlighted the devastation left behind by the toppled Baath regime, emphasizing deficiencies and hardships in various sectors such as infrastructure, human resources, municipal services, and logistics. Mervan lamented the lack of preservation of Ottoman artifacts during the regime’s rule, underscoring a decline in the protection of cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of joint working groups between the parties to address these deficiencies, acknowledging Turkey’s expertise in municipal services on a global scale. Mayor Şahin expressed readiness to establish working groups, initiating sister city protocol efforts between Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality and Damascus. Collaboration will encompass technical support sharing in infrastructure and superstructure. The visit concluded with a reciprocal gift presentation.
Gaziantep Carpets Adorn Umayyad Mosque
Following their meeting at the Governorate of Damascus, the delegation proceeded to the Umayyad Mosque. Here, Bilal Erdoğan and his companions laid Gaziantep-made carpets in a section of the mosque. The Turkish delegation also participated in the Friday prayer at the mosque. Outside the mosque, hundreds of people gathered, showing their affection for the Turkish delegation.
As the Turkish delegation’s visit to Damascus comes to an end, the exchange of cultural gestures and diplomatic dialogue between the two nations marks a step towards reinforcing relations and solidarity between Turkey and Syria. Through collaborative efforts and mutual support, the hope for a prosperous future for both nations shines brightly on the horizon.
