Excellencies, Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives and Consul Generals,

Esteemed Officials of the OIC Institutions,

Distinguished Guests,

Assalamu Aleykum ve Rahmatullahi ve Barakatuhu

I would like to welcome you all to our Mission, to commemoratethe Democracy and National Unity Dayof Turkey. Today, we are convening to remember the determination displayed by the Turkish nation to protect democracy five years ago.To remember the exemplary stance and unity of the Turkish nation and also to remember themartyrs, who shielded their lives to defend the Turkish democracy.

We are delighted to host our brothers, sisters and friends who join us today in commemorating this historic moment.

Dear Guests,

The Turkish democracy was targeted five years ago, on 15^thof July 2016. In a bloody coup attempt, 251 people were martyred and more than 2.200 people wounded.

The failed coup was basically a last effort of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization, shortly FETÖ, to seize the power from the democratically elected government of Turkey.

The terrorist organization was known to act as a parallel state through a large network of Turkish bureaucrats and senior officials. Long before the coup attempt, the investigations had brought hundreds of civil servants, including police and public prosecutors to the court.

In order to reverse this judicial course, the FETÖ attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government.

The Parliament, which was established nearly a hundred years ago during the National War of Independence which symbolizes my country’s independence and the free will of its people, was deliberately targeted by the fighter jets and helicopters.

The plotters took control of the airports, main roads and bridges. They bombed government buildings, including the Presidential Complex, the headquarters of the National Intelligence, as well as the headquarters of the Chiefs of Staff. They even tried to assassinate the first directly elected President.

The terror organization moved on the civilians who took the streets to protect their legitimate government, with heavy weaponry, including fighter jets, helicopters and tanks.

However, it was destined to be a decisive moment in the history of the Turkish people who stood firm and resilient.

The Turkish Nation demonstrated on 15 July 2016 that it has embraced its democratic regime to the extent to sacrifice its life to protect it.

Two callsmade that night, mobilized hundreds of thousands across the country: The salawat was recited from all mosques every fifteen minutes followed by invitation to go out and not to leave the streets empty for the FETÖ.

Second, the democratically elected leader President Erdoğan called people through his mobile phone to go out and defend their democracy.

People from all walks of life, of diverse political colors, followed these calls and displayed a historic example of unity and devotion. They did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives. And the deadly coup attempt was reversed and defeated on the same night.

Distinguished Guests,

In the past five years following the failed coup attempt, the eradication of the FETO has been one of our main priorities, both inside and outside Turkey.

We have been able to successfully conduct the struggle in Turkey, while paying due respect to fundamental rights and freedoms, and the principle of the rule of law.

The interrogations after the coup attempt indicated that the crimes committed on the night of 15 of July was only the tip of the iceberg. They revealed that the strategy of the plotters was more ominous and inhumane.

My country is not unfamiliar to military interventions. However, the investigations revealed that the FETÖ was planning not only to un-seat the government. If it had been successful, the whole state apparatus would collapse, a civil war would start and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of my country would be very much at stake.

In the past five years, the perpetrators of the coup attempt have been brought to justice. To this date nearly 5 thousand FETÖ members have been convicted for plotting and taking part in the coup. The total number of arrested FETO affiliates are over 25 thousand. FETO‘s organizational structure in government institutions has also been unveiled. And tens of thousands of affiliates have been removed from the public service. FETO’s network across all walks of life via its shell entities, particularly in the education, media and the banking sectors, have been foiled.

Hiding behind the mask of a so-called moderate and modern version of Islam, FETÖ was operating 2.284 schools and education centers, 15 universities and 796 companies in Turkey. It also had a network of schools, companies, NGOs and media institutions operating in 160 countries. Total number of schools and education centers operated by the organization outside Turkey had reached 800.

As of today, upon Turkey’s initiatives, FETÖ affiliated schools and education centers in 42 countries were closed down or taken over by the relevant authorities of the host countries. In 20 countries, schools have been transferred to the Turkish Maarif Foundation. The Turkish Maarif Foundation has opened 129 new schools in 26 countries.

Excellencies, Dear Guests,

The July 15^th coup attempt, contrary to its motivations, has reinforced the democracy in Turkey.

The attempt should be considered as a wake-up call for all friendly and brotherly countries. What happened in Turkey five years ago is a reminder of what this terrorist organization might be capable of doing elsewhere.

I would like to advise our friends and partners around the world, once again, to be vigilant against this double-faced terrorist organization.

Dear Guests,

This day will be remembered as the glorious day of democracy in Turkey’s history.

Turkish nation will remain loyal to the memories of those who sacrificed their lives that night. We will remember them with blessings and gratitude.

Alhamdulillah, in that dark night and in the aftermath we were relieved to see that we were not left alone. The support of our friends around the world, and prayers of our brothers and sisters in the Islamic world, in particular, some of which are with us today, have been very helpful. The solidarity extended to us will never be forgotten.

I would like to express also our sincere thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to Hadimul Haremeyn Eşşerifeyn King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud for the explicit support and solidarity granted to my people and my government in its fight against the terrorist organization.

In this context, I would like to particularly mention the Resolution on FETO adopted at the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. We are thankful for the full support and solidarity of the Member and the observer States in the fight against FETO.

I would like to express my gratitude to you all for showing solidarity and being with us tonight in this event.

I pray the Almighty Allah to protect our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the friends of the Muslim countries against all evil in His divine care. I wish you all together with your people to live in peace, justice and prosperity.

Thank you.

Assalamu Aleykum ve Rahmatullahi ve Barakatuhu