Turkish religious leader condemns historical atrocities in Karabakh PHOTO

Turkish religious figure Ahmed Erdem has accused Armenians of destroying not only buildings and nature, but also humanity in the Karabakh region.

Speaking to reporters in Shusha, Erdem, who is visiting Azerbaijan from Türkiye’s Kars, reflected on his connection to the area and the historical trauma experienced by his family, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

“This is my homeland,” he said. “My paternal grandfather is from Shusha and my maternal grandfather from Ganja. During the genocide committed by Armenians against Azerbaijanis in Karabakh in 1918, they emigrated to Türkiye. Our fathers longed for Azerbaijan until the day they died.”

Erdem is part of a delegation of religious leaders from Türkiye and Georgia currently visiting Shusha. The trip, which began on May 31, was organised by Azerbaijan’s State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations and the Foundation for the Promotion of Spiritual Values.

The visit aims to strengthen spiritual and religious unity, and to foster deeper solidarity between Azerbaijan and its diaspora communities. More than 30 Azerbaijani clerics based abroad are participating in the three-day programme.

While in Shusha, the delegation will visit several significant religious and cultural landmarks, including the Yukhari Govhar Agha, Ashaghi Govhar Agha, and Saatli mosques. The group will also tour the iconic Jidir Duzu plain, a site of cultural and historical importance to Azerbaijan.

The visit is scheduled to continue through June 2.

By Sabina Mammadli