President Ersin Tatar received Turkish Deputy Head of Religious Affairs, Burhan İşliyen, who visited the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to attend the Berat Kandil program.

İşliyen was accompanied by the Head of Mosque Services at Türkiye’s Directorate of Religious Affairs, Turgut Erhan and the TRNC Religious Services Counsellor, Abdulkadir Boşal.

During the meeting, President Tatar extended his greetings, saying, “I congratulate our people, our brothers and sisters in Türkiye, and the entire Islamic world on Berat Kandili.”

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people continued to pass down their national, spiritual, and cultural values from generation to generation, the President said, “We have never given up on our rights and justice. We continue to be a fundamental element of this land.

Reiterating that they advocated a two-state solution rather than a federal settlement that would lead to a united Cyprus, Tatar affirmed that the TRNC, as part of the Islamic world, will uphold its national and spiritual values and continue its struggle.

Highlighting the importance of investment, education, and related efforts in shaping future generations with strong values, President Tatar stressed Türkiye’s unwavering support for the Turkish Cypriot people.

For his part, Turkish Deputy Head of Religious Affairs Burhan İşliyen congratulated the Turkish Cypriot people on Berat Kandili.

İşliyen conveyed the greetings of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Religious Affairs President Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, who is currently in Pakistan, and briefed President Tatar on his contacts in the TRNC.