Muslim personalities denounce failed Turkey coup bid

By Rabie al-Aukkary, Layth al-Junaydi, Khaled Gadoup, Anas Mezwar, Naser Hajaj, Rasheed al-Jaray

ARAB CAPITALS

Prominent Muslim figures from around the world continue to voice condemnation of last Friday’s military coup attempt in Turkey and show their solidarity with the Turkish people.

Prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, head of the International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS), sent a message of solidarity and support to the Turkish president, congratulating him for the coup’s failure.

"God is with you. The people of the Arab and Muslim world are with you. The free peoples of the world are with you," he said.

"You are on the right side against falsehood; with justice against injustice and with the people against the tyrants," he added.

On Thursday, the Qatar-based IUMS declared that last week’s attempt by rogue elements within Turkey’s military to overthrow the elected government constituted a "Haram" -- or "religiously forbidden" -- act.

In Saudi Arabia, Salman al-Awdah, a prominent Muslim preacher, urged his followers via Twitter to pray that God save Turkey from "global Zionist cunning" and "the conspirators inside it".

"A strong, safe and prosperous Turkey disturbs its enemies," he added.

Saudi Muslim scholar Mohamed al-Orayfi, for his part, also condemned the failed coup attempt and voiced his solidarity with Turkey, posting prayers on his Twitter account and asking God to protect the Turkish people.

Former Kuwaiti MP Walid al-Tabtabaie, for his part, said via Twitter that the failed insurrection had "exposed traitors within Turkey", adding: "States and figures kept silent while awaiting the success of the coup."

Saad Hariri, former Lebanese prime minister and leader of Lebanon's Future Movement also expressed his solidarity with the Turkish people.

"We congratulate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish people for the victory of the democratic path over the military putschists," he said in a statement.

Zaki Bani Arshid, for his part, a Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood leader, likewise condemned the coup and voiced his solidarity with the elected Turkish government.

Marwan Faouri, secretary-general of the Jordan-based Global Forum for Moderation, also condemned the failed coup attempt, expressing the forum’s solidarity with the Turkish people and their democratic choice.

Samir Wafi, a well-known Tunisian broadcaster, also blasted the failed coup attempt and its supporters.

Writing on Facebook, Wafi remarked that only "fake democrats and fanatics who don’t believe in democracy" supported and celebrated last week’s coup bid in Turkey.

Sadiq al-Mahdi, for his part, leader of the Sudanese National Party -- the nation's largest opposition party -- also congratulated Turkey’s President Erdogan for successfully "overpowering" the attempted putsch.

Said Jamaan al-Ghamdi, meanwhile, the Saudi secretary-general of the Arab Football Federation, also condemned the failed coup attempt, noting that the coup -- had it been successful -- "would have affected all areas, including sports".

Speaking to Anadolu Agency by phone, al-Ghamdi asserted: "The Turkish people’s reaction to the failed coup attempt showed their commitment to their homeland and nation."

He went on to describe the coup’s spectacular failure as "an unprecedented reflection of the culture of the Turks, who are deeply aware of their homeland’s importance".

Well-known Kuwaiti singer Hamoud al-Khedr likewise congratulated the Turkish people and government for what he described as "their democratic victory", sharing a relevant photo from Turkey on his Instagram page.

Well-known singer Maher Zain, posting an image of Turkey’s flag on his Instagram page, asserted: "May Allah protect Turkey from the conspirator devils".

Mesut Kurtis, a Macedonian singer of Turkish descent, for his part, published a photo of himself with the Turkish masses who hit the streets to oppose the coup accompanied by the caption: "No victor but Allah."

In a similar reaction, British artist Harris J posted an image of the Turkish flag on Instagram, noting his "great respect for the Turkish people" and calling on them to "stay strong".

Last week’s coup plot is believed to have been orchestrated by followers of U.S.-based preacher Fetullah Gulen.

Gulen’s followers have been accused of attempting to infiltrate Turkey’s vital state institutions -- especially the military, police apparatus and judiciary -- with the aim of creating a "parallel state".

At least 246 people, including civilians and security personnel, were martyred -- and more than 2,100 injured -- during last week’s illegal putsch attempt.