Ankara: Ankara is working to strengthen alliances and reduce disputes both among itself and across the Islamic world, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. "We believe there is virtue in unity; we are working to strengthen alliances and reduce disagreements both among ourselves and across the Islamic world," Erdogan said in his speech at the Mawlid al-Nabi Week program, which marked the birth of Prophet Muhammad, in Istanbul.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Erdogan expressed hope that Muslims, "who shaped history and brought order to the world for centuries," will reunite 'like bricks in a wall.' He emphasized the significance of unity among Muslims, urging them to defend their rights and collaborate to establish peace and security in the region. "We are going through a historic struggle between good and evil, and God willing, good will prevail," Erdogan added.

Erdogan criticized the "radical, occupying, genocidal ideology known as Zionism," stating that it threatens not only the peace of its neighbors but also targets everyone who defends human values. He highlighted the heavy price civilians paid due to the world's silence in the face of atrocities committed by historical figures like Hitler and Pol Pot, warning that similar inaction is being repeated in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.

The Turkish president accused the world of failing to respond adequately to what he termed as the Israeli 'genocide network's lawless policies,' which disregard rules, principles, values, and boundaries. He described Gaza as 'the world's largest children's cemetery,' pointing out that even trivial activities like flying kites are perceived as threats by Israel.

Erdogan shed light on the dire living conditions in Gaza, where Palestinians are struggling to survive without basic necessities. He accused Israel's "war-obsessed government" of using provocations to destabilize the region, starting with its neighbors.

Touching upon the situation in Lebanon, Erdogan mentioned that Israeli attacks had displaced 1.3 million people, killed more than 4,000-mostly women and children, and wounded over 12,000 others. He stated that Trkiye's efforts to highlight Zionism's expansionist ambitions are for the benefit of all peoples in the region, regardless of their faith, and on behalf of the 'front of humanity.'

"Our efforts are aimed at establishing an atmosphere of peace and security in our region," the president said, expressing Trkiye's readiness to contribute to establishing unity and solidarity across the Islamic world.