Turkey’s religious head calls for unity, warns Muslims against FETÖ

The head of Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (DİB), Mehmet Görmez, has called for unity in the Islamic world, warning all Muslims against structures such as the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).

Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with the grand mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Husein Kavazovic, in Sarajevo, Görmez emphasized the necessity of unity and solidarity across the Islamic world as well as the need for a mentality that is in accordance with true Islamic values. He also called on Muslims worldwide to protect themselves and their children from structures such as FETÖ.

Run by U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gülen, FETÖ sought to topple Turkey's democratically elected government in an attempt to seize power and impose martial law on July 15 with a military coup.

The attempt was thwarted by military troops loyal to the government, along with police units and millions of Turkish citizens marching in favor of democracy.

At least 248 people, mostly civilians, were killed by putchist soldiers and another 2,000 were injured.

For decades, the terrorist group placed its members in critical state posts, managing to infiltrate state institutions such as the military, bureaucracy and judiciary.

According to information obtained from DİB, the situation in the Islamic world and the contributions of the Islamic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina to Bosnia's religious life, possible joint projects and struggle against FETÖ were among discussed topics.

Görmez pointed to the role of educational institutions in overcoming the current problems of the Islamic world. "We should not search outside for the reasons why calamities hit Muslims. The Islamic world couldn't successfully respond to challenges that it faced," he said.

Görmez said that while the Islamic world was striving to make up for lost time in terms of reviving its historical heritage, crises and wars hit Muslims all around the world. "Actually, the wars in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Chechenia foreshadowed what was coming," he said. "Then bigger crises erupted."

While, Görmez and Kavazovic discussed the joint efforts between the religious affairs directorates of the two countries, Görmez also thanked Bosnia-Herzegovina for its support during and after the failed July 15 coup attempt.