Turkey's Friday sermon criticizes US Jerusalem move

Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate voiced concern in its Friday sermon over the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In its nationwide sermon, the directorate described Jerusalem as "the apple of our eyes", saying it is a city where many prophets strived for the cause of Tawhid (Oneness).

"It is a sacred and blessed city with its name and environs."

"Many prophets such as Ibrahim, Yaqub, Musa, Sulayman and Isa lived in Al-Quds and its surrounding region, which has been the cradle to many civilizations for thousands of years," it said, adding that the last sacred guest of Jerusalem was Prophet Muhammad with the event of Isra and Miraj.

"Moreover, the first kiblah of Islam, Al-Aqsa Mosque, is in Al-Quds," said the directorate in the sermon.

Although the city had been the center of peace and tranquility when Muslims governed it with a fair and just rule for many years, the directorate said "the city has been crestfallen for a long time and bleeding for years."

"Al-Quds is our bleeding wound and unceasing pain today. Al-Quds has suffered from all kinds of attacks and ceased to be the city of peace. Guns keep firing in the city of prophets. Innocent people are being murdered."

The directorate also said that those living in and around Jerusalem were exposed to inhuman practices such as oppression, violence and isolation. People’s freedom of life, belief and thought were also attempted against without mercy and their identity and character, dignity and honor are targeted, it said.

It was not long ago that believers were kept away from Mosque of Aqsa, the sermon said, while today they are trying to invade Al-Quds.

The directorate called the U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital as “a reckless understanding that totally disregards humanity, ancient traditions and international law”.

"Let it be known that such reckless efforts would turn Al-Quds and its region into a land of conflict and disturbance.

"Such unacceptable attempts are a great blow dealt to the common sense and conscience of humanity. It is a dangerous step towards destroying peace, order and security," the directorate said.

The directorate said in sermon that Turkish nation had never severed and would not severe the ties of affection with Al-Quds, Al-Aqsa Mosque and oppressed Palestinian brothers and sisters throughout history.

"With this in our minds, we open our hands to our Lord in this time of Friday and ask: O Allah! Let us be among those Muslims who feel the pain of all their oppressed brothers and sisters in the world and use everything they have to help them, materially and spiritually! Let us not side with those who lack foresight, discernment, conscience and those who oppress!

"O Allah! Do not allow those who try to invade Al-Quds and Islamic cities, those who bring disorder and sabotage peace under the guise of improvement! Accept our prayers for the sake of this holy Friday, o Allah!" it added.

Despite widespread international opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

According to Trump, the U.S. State Department has been told to begin preparations for relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The dramatic shift in Washington’s Jerusalem policy triggered demonstrations in the occupied Palestinian territories, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq and other Muslim countries.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.