In an interview with Rasa News Agency, Turkish Shi’ite leader Selahattin Özgündüz stated that “Iran’s Islamic Revolution created a movement in the Islamic world which, under the leadership of Imam Khomeini (RA), woke the Islamic world from its slumber” and that “we witnessed this movement in our lifetimes” He explained that some of the revolutions influenced by Iran’s were not as successful, but said that revolutionary people still exist and that the revolution will continue. He added that America is the “Great Satan” and its allies were “Lesser Satan’s” and emphasized that we must be extremely cautious of these Satan’s and not allow them to realize their goals.
Özgündüz criticized the foreign policy of Turkey, and said Turkey’s stance towards Iraq and Syria is completely wrong, and stated the United States deceived its allies in the region and one day they will regret falling for their lies. Even if the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Asad is overthrown in Syria, Turkey will not gain anything since the US seeks to achieve its objectives in Syria and will not allow the realization of Turkey’s interests in the region. If Syria’s government was to be overthrown, the regional situation would become worse for Turkey.
In regards to Turkey’s relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Özgündüz said that Iran and Turkey should see past their religious differences as religious disputes do not benefit anyone. He believes that if Sunni Turkey and Shi’ite Iran were to unite and cooperate, than it would open the way for the Islamic world to unite as Europe has united. This union could have the ability to resolve the many crises in the Muslim world, especially in Syria and Bahrain.
Özgündüz also stated that the strength of the Syrian people and its resistance against the Takfiri terrorists occupying many parts of their country is admirable. This is despite the fact that tens of thousands of foreign terrorists have attacked Syria. He commended the efforts of President Asad to handle this crisis and praised the role of the Syrian Grand Mufti, Shaykh Ahmad Badruddin Hassoun for preserving the unity of the country.
He stated that the Syrian Arab Army’s role in countering the terrorists was incomparable. “If the United States was attacked by terrorists as Syria has been, it would not be able to resist like the Syria has. “the people of Syria and the unity of its army and its leadership has demonstrated great courage and wisdom in the face of terrorism.”
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