“We would all wish that we could be next to our beloved ones as we were in previous Eids. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected our country as well together with the entire world, we have to spend this Eid in our homes. We, as the family of humanity, are going through a tough test during this pandemic process. Thanks be to Allah, our country, as the state and the nation, is doing quite well in this test,” the message read.

“If we act cautiously, we will overcome this process”

Underscoring that many areas, from economy to social life, have seriously been affected by the measures implemented as part of the fight against the pandemic, Erdoğan stated: “Although we experienced difficulties in March and April, we together with other countries have started to gradually take steps for normalization in May. If we all together act cautiously, comply with the rules and display sensitivity on wearing mask, keeping social distance and staying clean, we will, inshallah, definitely overcome this process with success.”

Noting that most of the countries have turned in on themselves and firmly grasped the limited means at their hands during the pandemic process, Erdoğan said: “As Turkey, we, beyond meeting our own needs, have helped many friendly and brotherly peoples. We, as the nation, have displayed our humanitarian stance in a world where global solidarity is repeatedly mentioned but not put into action. I, on my nation’s behalf, extend my gratitude to all public and private sector workers, first and foremost healthcare personnel, who have selflessly performed their duties during the pandemic process.”

“We have put all our state means at our people’s disposal”

Further stressing that all state resources are mobilized in order to prevent the citizens from suffering any unjust treatment, difficulty, privation or poverty because of the measures taken, Erdoğan went on to say: “We have provided support through Social Protection Shield programmes to our citizens in need as well as our workers, who have fallen into difficulty due to the loss of employment. In this regard, with the understanding of, ‘keep people alive so that the state will live,’ we have conducted unrequited transfer of nearly 12 billion liras’ worth of fund to approximately 10 million citizens of ours. During the pandemic process, we have put all our state means, such as tax, premium and installment postponements as well as financial facilities, at our people’s disposal.”

Erdoğan noted: “We, as has always been the case, have endeavored to serve our nation and bring services to them in the best way possible during these troubled days as well. We will, inshallah, carry Turkey’s strength, richness and prosperity to much higher levels in a world that will be politically and economically restructured following the pandemic. I believe that you will contact your beloved ones even through communication channels and share this joy with them on this beautiful Eid day, during which we look to the future with hope and confidence. I pray to my Lord that we will all reach next Ramadan with health and peace. I once again congratulate you on Eid al-Fitr.” (ILKHA)