Bilal Erdogan from Akkar: We Hope to Open New Horizons for Investment Twinning

Akkar Mufti Sheikh Zaid Bakkar Zakaria received the son of Turkish President Bilal Erdogan at the Akkar Dar al-Ifta, in the presence of the head of the Islamic Endowments Department in Akkar, Sheikh Malik Jadida, MPs Walid Al-Ba'arini, Mohammed Yahya, and Mohammed Suleiman, the head of the Akkar Zakat Fund Osama Al-Zoubi, members of the Supreme Islamic Sharia Council, heads of municipal unions and municipalities, along with a large gathering of scholars, sheikhs, and political, social, and religious figures.

Zakaria

Mufti Zakaria welcomed Erdogan in Akkar, recalling the depth of fraternal and historical ties between Lebanon and Turkey, stating that "the history extending between us and Turkey is ancient, with roots dating back hundreds of years."

He noted that "this legacy remains alive in the region, where Akkari villages and families take pride in their lineage connections to the Ottoman state, preserving Ottoman decrees and edicts to this day as documented historical evidence," pointing out that "Sultan Abdülmecid I, during his reign between 1839 and 1861, enacted reforms in the empire's departments, including the formation of an administrative council for the Akkar district, in which the district mufti was a full member."

Mufti Zakaria highlighted Turkey's supportive role in the region, affirming that "we cannot forget their steadfast and honorable positions regarding the Palestinian cause and our broader Arab and Islamic issues."

He added: "In Lebanon, we extend our hands and cooperate with every country that wishes good for us, our people, and our homeland."

Erdogan

For his part, Bilal Erdogan conveyed greetings from his father, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying: "I bring you the greetings of His Excellency the President, and a greeting of love and appreciation from the Turkish people to our people in Lebanon, this dear country in all its spectrums and components."

He affirmed that "we always wish Lebanon stability, goodness, and prosperity, and that it regains its role and status, because what unites the Lebanese and Turkish peoples is a history of love, communication, and strong human relations," hoping that "this visit will be an opportunity to enhance communication between Turks and our people in Lebanon, and to open new horizons for twinning and cooperation in economic, commercial, and investment fields, and joint work, benefiting both countries and peoples."

Erdogan also expressed his hope that "developments in the region, especially in Syria, will bring goodness, peace, and stability, and positively reflect on Lebanon and the entire region," wishing that the visit would constitute "a blessed step strengthening friendship between the Turkish and Lebanese peoples, and laying the foundation for further cooperation and success in the coming phase."

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mufti Zakaria presented Erdogan with a symbolic commemorative gift, while Erdogan gifted him a copy of the Holy Quran, followed by commemorative photos.