President of Religious Affairs Erbaş receives who became a Muslim when he was a priest in South Africa

President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş received Ibrahim Richmond, who had been a priest in South Africa for 15 years and became a Muslim after the dream he had, and who led thousands of people to become Muslims.

Expressing his satisfaction for Richmond’s visit, President Erbaş continued his words as follows: 

“I had heard the story of our brother Ibrahim during the hajj, and I was really excited. In other words, the fact that he made thousands of people Muslim and that he was honoured with Islam is a very happy and very pleasing issue for him and for all Muslims. When we look at the Holy Quran, the Almighty Allah (swt) says that the salvation is in His hands. Allah (swt) has blessed him, and this salvation has been bestowed upon him and thousands of others through him. The verse that Almighty Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran, “the one who leads a person to find the right path is as if he conduces all people to find the right path,” is important for him. “

Expressing that one of the most prominent aspects of Islam is the brotherhood among Muslims, President Erbaş said, “The Almighty Allah (swt) says in verse Hujurat, ‘The believers are but one brotherhood.’ Our beloved Prophet (saw) says ‘You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another.’ We, as Muslims, accept those as most important principle of our lifestyle.”

“The principles in the Farewell Sermon will eternally continue until the judgement day”

Reminding the verse, “This is a Book which We have revealed to you O Prophet so that you may lead people out of darkness and into light”, President Erbaş continued his words as follows: 

“With the light and illumination of the Holy Quran, we will give effort together for all people to benefit from this grace until the end of our lives inshallah. Our beloved Prophet (saw) says in his Farewell Sermon in Arafat, ‘All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action.’ The Farewell Sermon of our beloved Prophet (saw) brought a great achievement to all mankind and inshallah, the principles he expressed in his sermon will continue eternally until the judgement day.

Richmond: “I am honoured to be a Muslim”

Expressing that Türkiye is a country where Islam is lived and practiced very strongly, İbrahim Richmond stated that the approach and warm-bloodedness of people in Türkiye is very good.

Remarking that being a member of Islam family is a great honour, Richmond talked as “I am very honoured to be in this country and to be a member of this family. Indeed, it is a great honour for me to be a Muslim. The sunnah and hadiths of the Prophet (saw) are really a light for us. Although Islam is not very common in my country, I will tell more people there what I see here. Since what I see and feel here to spread Islam gives me strength and motivation. Where there is Islam, there is no crime, and that country is liberated. Inshallah, we will try to raise the country we are in with Islam.

Presidency of Religious Affairs General Director of Foreign Affairs Mahmut Özdemir was also present at the reception.