BAGHDAD
Iraqi Shiite cleric Ayatollah Jawad Al-Khalidi has said that they demanded Turkey to re-adopt independent Islamic state politics and succeed Ottoman Empire.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency correspondent on Tuesday, Al-Khalidi, is grand son of Ayatollah Mohammed Mehdi Al-Khalidi who had given a fatwa saying that Ottoman Empire should be defended during the World War I, said that resurrection of Ottoman Empire was a desire of himself.
"We do desire Turkey to re-adopt independent Islamic state politics and succeed Ottoman Empire. I want to see resurrection of Ottoman Empire," said Al-Khalidi.
Noting that waiting for English and Americans to sort their problems out would not be an option, Al-Khalidi stated that they would welcome Turkey's return to the region with independent Islamic state politics.
Al-Khalid stated that Turkey could bring Islamic countries together.
"Turkey can open out more on Syria, Iraq and Iran. Turkey should maintain its relations with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Gulf countries. Within the scope of these relations, Turkey can bring Islamic states together. In the light of these, the crisis in Syria can be sorted out and also we can solve the problems between Turkey and Iraq. Because we do not want Turkey to move away from us, and also we do not want to become distanced with Turkey. Turkish people are our brothers and sisters. Islam unites us," said Al-Khalid.
Reporting by Nazmi Akyol
