President Ersin Tatar makes a statement to the press on the auspicious festival of Eid al-Fitr following the Eid prayers at the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque in Lefkoşa
"Eid is an important time of reflection and reinforces the values of charity, kindness, and compassion"
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President Ersin Tatar participated in the Eid prayers at the Dr. Suat Günsel Mosque in Lefkoşa, where he spoke to the press and congratulated the entire Islamic world and the TRNC on the auspicious festival – which follows the Holy month of Ramadan.
Speaking to the press, President Tatar stated: “Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı) is an important time for reflection and reinforces the values of charity, kindness and compassion. I undertook the Eid prayer together with our brothers from Islamic countries, who have chosen to study and work in peace, tranquillity and security in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”
Emphasising the importance of tolerance, love, respect, unity and solidarity during Eid, President Tatar stated that all resentments should be left behind and forgotten.
“We are celebrating Eid at a time where there are conflicts and many people dying as a result in other parts of the world, where the international community is witnessing atrocities and inhumane treatments committed against civilian people. These shameful acts should have no place in this day and age,” President Tatar said.
The President added: “I convey my love, respect and good wishes to the People of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, and to the entire Islamic world, and I wish for a world where there is peace and human solidarity that is based on mutual respect, equality and the spirit of brotherhood.”
Stating that he is happy to be “working towards a sustainable future of mutual respect, peace, love, and reverence”, President Tatar emphasised that “efforts are ongoing to make the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is facing inhumane isolation and restrictions, visible to the world, together with the support of motherland Republic of Türkiye, and to have the TRNC recognised”.
President Tatar added that he was “honoured to have represented the Turkish Cypriot People at the informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format in Geneva,” adding: “We put forward our position based on the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot People and our vision that is based on cooperation and good neighbourly relations of the two States in Cyprus. I was fully supported by Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. At the meeting, I also drew attention to the unjust isolation, and how this has deprived us from the enjoyment of our basic human rights, and drew attention on the need to start direct flights, direct trade and direct contacts with our country, which was also a promise given to us by the international community during the period of the Annan Plan in 2004.”
“Despite our calls for a culture of cooperation and positive agenda, the other side did not respond positively despite our constructive position,” President Tatar said.
President Tatar underlined that a “settlement that is based on two States is realistic and sustainable, that is important for peace, prosperity and security in Cyprus. Cooperation across different areas between the two Sides will be of tangible benefit to both the Turkish Cypriot People and Greek Cypriot People,” President Tatar said.
“With these thoughts, I wish all a very happy and peaceful Eid, and for this auspicious festival to be one of blessing and prosperity for all,” the President said.