The President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş established the funeral prayer for Fatih Saraçoğlu who was killed during the racist terror attack performed in the Hanau city of Germany in his hometown İskilip county of Çorum Province.  

Giving a speech before the funeral prayer to be established following the Dhuhr prayer in the İskilip Ulu Mosque, the President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Erbaş wished from Allah (swt) his blessings for Saraçoğlu.

Expressing that Allah (swt) hauled the holy Qur’an to all humanity to command us to live in peace all together and respect the rights of each other, the President said that Islam is a religion for peace, tranquility and salvation.

Reminding that it is cited in Qur’an as, "Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely." the President Erbaş continued his words as follows:

"Here we challenge to explain these principles to all humanity. During this sorrowful attack performed in Germany, 9 souls were slaughtered by a murderer, a foe to Islam, a terrorist or due to the plans of some evil parties behind him. Allah (swt) bless them all. All countries in the world must prevent these plans of such murderers from being performed. Here I voice to them all from the funeral ceremony of our brother Fatih; if this kind of actions continue to exist, not only the deceased people due to these attacks and their close relations, but all humanity will be damaged. All people living in that neighborhood no matter what is their religion, race or nationality will be damaged. We must be aware of this matter.”

"We must absolutely take precautions against xenophobia and Islamophobia”

Underlining the fact that a necessary precaution must be taken against hostility to religions in the world, the President Erbaş talked as, "We must absolutely take precautions against xenophobia, Islamophobia, hostility to mosques and attacks to mosques in the whole world especially in Germany where this attack have occurred. There was an attack in New Zealand last year, and in Germany this year. Just following the attack in New Zealand, the attacks to the churches were started to be performed. I suppose the same hands who desire to sow sedition seeds between the people of different backgrounds are behind these attacks. Mosques, churches, synagogues and the innocent people are always innocent and protected according to the principles of our religion no matter what is their religion and race. We will always continue to voice this.”

Following the speech, the President Erbaş request from the attendees their blessings for Fatih Saraçoğlu and then established the funeral prayer. The body of Saraçoğlu was buried in Hacıkarani Graveyard in the county center, beside the grave of his mother Narin Saraçoğlu who deceased 10 years ago.

Before the funeral prayer, the father of Saraçoğlu, Ahmet Saraçoğlu and his brother Hayrettin Saraçoğlu received the consolations.

Beside the family and close relations of Saraçoğlu, the funeral was attended by the Governor of Çorum Province Mustafa Çiftçi, The Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Yavuz Selim Kıran, the President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities Abdullah Eren, the Rector of Hitit University Prof. Dr. Ali Osman Öztürk, İskilip District Governor Muharrem Eligül, the representatives from politic parties and non-governmental organizations and the citizens.