Turkish scholar: Islamic Ummah a single Ummah with many faiths, sects and congregations

The speech comes as follows:
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Greetings to dear audience
First of all, I am going to thank organizers of this conference and wish them divine consent. They have organized a very important conference both in connection with Islamic unity and future of our geography. That’s a very valuable program for our geography’s destiny.
God willing, these programs will not be limited to two or three countries and its scope will be widened to cover other Muslim countries as well and the meetings will be held in those places as well. So, I thank my brothers again for taking the trouble of holding the program. What’s the subject of the program? Unity of Muslims and their respecting each other. There are many verses in holy Quran and tranditions of Prophet Mohamamd (PBUH) in that connection. The prophet had been one of the factors for gathering of Muslims and people of his age. Companions of the prophet were from various groups, ethnic groups, colors and forms. The prophet had done his best to get the Muslims together. Great things were done those times and age of prosperity was shaped. As Quran says the basis of all these was unity. On the other hand, the baseline for all the measures was people’s avoiding dispersion and discord. For instance, God Almighty says, “ Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”
Islamic Ummah is a single Ummah. True, there are many faiths, sects and congregations but God Almighty says he has considered all Muslims as one Ummah. He ordered Muslims to be a single Ummah. Ummah means the people who are gathered around Quran and prophet and that’s a human community. When our creator orders us this way to get united, it means that we should be united irrespective of our faith, i.e., being Shiite, Sunni, Alavi, Hanafi, Jaafari, Maleki, or Shafei. We should move with unity and treat each other withrespect. We should not be disrespectful towards each other. These are what can be get from the Quranic verse. Our creator has ordered us to do this. On the other hand, we Muslims are strongly cautioned against discord and difference. For example, a verse says, “Lest you be like those who are in discord and difference; we sent them proof and eivdence, i.e., verses of Quran and prophet but they went into discord despite such clear signs and evidences. God descended his chastisement on them.” Of course, any divine chastisement begins in this world and we witness condition of many countries and Muslims as Muslims are not able to establish good relations with each other; they trade and exchange visits. There is always a problem and an obstance and under such conditions, what is under such conditions is difference. Therefore, all Muslims suffer and sustain damage. Unfortunately chastisement begins in this world and is in another form in the world hereafter. God Almighty says in Holy Quran, “Surely you have nothing to do with those who have made divisions in their religion and become factions.” The verse has a very clear-cut and strong meaning. It means that anybody in Islamic Ummah can take precedence to other person but in case of discord and difference, God warns in Quran, “Their matter is with Allah and He will indeed tell them (in time) what they have been doing.” It can be interpreted from this verse that they do not abide by their Islamic duties to be a Muslim. They are far from you. Of course, there are many verses in this connection. God says, “And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not quarrel with one another lest you should lose courage and your power depart.” God instructs human beings not to persist on what causes dispersion and difference. 97% of Muslims’ ideas are today common. God is one and prophet is one; Qibal is one and many other commonalties. Quran is one and all are one. But there are one or two different things, which have unfortunately been included in instructions and Muslims are now suffering them, losing their power. This is while, they should be powerful and stand as a single Ummah and a model society but they become weak and lose their power. In fact, Islamic community should supercede others in the world and stand on the top because Muslims assume everything, including faith, science, wisdom, and underground resources, but becauseof dispersion they are not able to believe themselves. Therefore, it is the most important result of dispersion and difference. If we avoid dispersion and difference, God Almighty will give back our power and make us powerful again. We will become very successful again. God willing. There are many verses in this concern. One more important issue today is that Muslims respect each other. No matter what is their faith, Muslims, being Alavi, Shiite, Sunni, etc., will be Muslim if say “There is no God but Allah,“ and “Muhammad is God’s prophet.” One should respect the Muslim and consider his/her a brother or sister. This conference reflected such issues; therefore, this isimportant. Some major verses descended by God are considered in this conference and they are put on agenda and discussed. God willing, conferences like this will be held in other countries. Therefore, I thank again the body organizing this conference. Wish you success. Have a nice day.