Islamic University of Gaza awards Turkish Prime Minister Honorary Doctorate

Turkey’s Prime Minister has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Islamic University of Gaza (IUG). Speaking at a ceremony at his official residence in Ankara, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “The Islamic University of Gaza has been working under very difficult conditions such as bombs, bullets and occupation for 32 years. I congratulate you on behalf of my people for your academic struggle under those conditions.”

Referring to Turkey’s historical and friendly ties with Palestine, Prime Minister Erdogan said, “We have always shared the grief and joy of the Palestinians throughout our history, but our current interest in Gaza stems totally from humanitarian reasons beyond those ties.” He added, “We use every possible opportunity to tell the world that innocent civilians and children should not be killed, schools and hospitals should not be bombed. We raise our voice for children in Gaza, Haiti, Chile and China.”

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IUG, Jamal Naji Al-Khodari MP, told those present at the ceremony that the university has three campuses and 30,000 students, making it the biggest university in Palestine. The MP added that Mr. Erdogan represents the hope of the people of Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem; in fact, all of Palestine.

Dr. Kamalain Kamel Sha’ath, the IUG’s President, confirmed that the university decided to award Prime Minister Erdogan the honorary doctorate for his efforts to put an end to the atrocities being carried out by Israel against Palestinians in Gaza.