Mr. Adnan Oktar has for many years been telling us in articles and interviews that very important events will take place in the End Times we are living in. One of these is the discovery of many lost sacred relics. The first of these relics that will be unearthed in the End Times is Noah’s Ark. Following long years of investigation, scientists announced that they had found significant remains belonging to Noah’s Ark on Mount Ağrı in Turkey. They shared this historic event and images of the boat with the whole world just a few months ago.
Mr. Adnan Oktar explains the discovery of the sacred relics in the present century, a full 1400 years after the revelation of the Qur’an in terms of the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as), on the basis of the hadiths and interpretations of verses of the Qur’an.
• What establishes that the boat is actually Noah’s Ark?
• Why has this most significant event not received the proper amount of interest in the press?
• How does Mr. Oktar interpret the finding of Noah’s Ark?
Mr. Adnan Oktar Elaborates on the Finding of Noah’s Ark by Interpreting Verses from the Qur’an
Reports of the discovery of Noah’s Ark began appearing a few months ago. One such report reads:
“A group of 15 scientists from Turkey and Hong Kong have announced their discovery of a timber structure, 12 meters long and 5 meters tall, 4,000 meters high on Mount Ağrı, and even that they have entered into and investigated it. The group maintains, with the help of Carbon dating of pieces of timber taken from the boat, that it is 4800 years old, and that this squares with the date of Noah’s Flood described in the sacred texts. According to the South China Morning Post, a group of Hong Kong Evangelical Media, Noah’s Ark Ministry International and Turkish scientists announced a major discovery at a press conference in Hong Kong on Sunday. The group exhibited parts they maintain belong to Noah’s Ark, ropes used for keeping animals tethered together on the boat and several nail-like objects.” (Bugun Daily, Milliyet Daily)
Mr. Oktar explains how the boat discovered by the scientists is actually Noah’s Ark by interpreting verses of the Qur’an:
The Place Where Noah’s Ark was Discovered is Completely in Agreement with the Name and Place Given in the Story of the Prophet Noah (as) in the Qur’an:
This disaster that struck in the time of the Prophet Noah (as) has also been confirmed by modern scientists. Many places in the Middle East that are now mountains contain evidence that they were once covered in water.
Noah’s Flood Was a Local Disaster:
Your Lord would never destroy any cities without first sending to their chief a Messenger to recite Our Signs to them. We would never destroy any cities unless their inhabitants were wrongdoers. (Surat al-Qasas, 59)
As noted in the Qur’an, Almighty Allah says that no people will be destroyed without a Messenger first being sent to it. Since the Prophet Noah (as) was sent, not to the whole world but solely to the society he lived in, Noah’s Flood was a local disaster. Mr. Oktar elucidated on this in a live interview on Kral Karadeniz TV on 30 January, 2009:
ADNAN OKTAR: Of course, it took place in a small location. The Flood was not something that covered the whole world. But its location is not completely clear. I mean, it could have happened in the Black Sea region, as it could have resulted in an inland sea. There are those who claim it happened in the Black Sea region. And there are those who say it could have happened at other inland seas. It happened when a region was suddenly flooded as the result of intense rains and became completely covered in water. The Prophet Noah (as) personally collected all the animals he would need and placed them on that large boat.
Noah’s Ark is on Mount Ağrı
It was said, “Earth, swallow up your water!” and, “Heaven, hold back your rain!” And the water subsided and the affair was concluded and the Ark came to land on al-Judi. And it was said, “Away with the people of the wrongdoers!” (Surah Hud, 44)
As revealed in this verse, after the Flood the Ark came to rest on al-Judi. The world “Judi” is sometimes regarded as the name of a particular mountain, although in Arabic the word means “a high place, peak.” Therefore, the word “Judi” may be used in the Qur’an, not as the name of a particular mountain, but to describe how the boat came to rest in a high place. (Allah knows the truth.) Mr. Oktar’s interpretation of this verse in an interview on Samsun Aks TV on 28 April, 2010 goes:
ADNAN OKTAR: “Now, our brother Onur. Mount Judi appears in the Qur’an. Christians also say it is Ağrı. If we take it as Ağrı, then Christians and Jews appear to be speaking the truth. Judi, as I have just said, is the name of a chain of mountains. Judi is the name given to the mountain chain including Mount Ağrı and Mount Judi. Allah does not say it came to rest on Mount al-Judi, He says “on al-Judi”. It is therefore quite reasonable for the Ark to have landed on Mount Ağrı. It may also have come to rest somewhere on much lower parts of Mount Ağrı. The boat was in all probability carried upward. So it should be preserved. They covered it over with earth. It would seem they brought special soil up there. Because that region has no soil of its own, so it was covered over with soil brought specially up there. This is very significant. The statements in the Torah are identical to the Qur’an. There are identical accounts to that in the Qur’an in the Torah and the Bible. The Bible and the Torah and the Qur’an all resemble each other in many respects. And in others they differ. There is nothing surprising in that.
The Age and Construction Technique of Noah’s Ark is in Complete Agreement with the Verses of the Qur’an:
The Hong Kong group that discovered Noah’s Ark on Mount Ağrı say that the boat bears a strong resemblance to the Ark described in the Qur’an and other holy books. The details of the boat reveal this very clearly:
The Age of the Ark
The age of the boat identified as Noah’s Ark emerged with Carbon dating in Iran of a 38-mm piece of timber. The age was calculated at 4800 years. Mr. Oktar, says this on the subject from an interview on Guneydogu Olay TV on 27 April, 2010:
ADNAN OKTAR: I looked at it, and it really does resemble Noah’s Ark. It really resembles it. It does not seem to be a lie. Because the structure is a classic boat structure. Huge, thick timber. What is a boat doing on the top of Mount Ağrı? How can that be explained? And the age is right. Some 5000 years, or 4800 years. The age is right, the time of the Flood. The style employed in the boat is also right. The ironwork for tethering animals, the thickness of the timbers, everything is right. By the law of Allah, it is Noah’s Ark.
The Boat Being Built from Wood and Nails:
“We bore him on a planked and well-caulked ship.” (Surat al-Qamar, 13)
As noted in this verse, Noah’s Ark was made from wood and nails. The boat found on Mount Ağrı was also built from wood. Indeed, the investigators say the boat was made from cypress wood. Mr. Oktar says this on the subject from an interview on Kanal Avrupa on 16 May, 2010:
ADNAN OKTAR: What does Almighty Allah say? “We bore him on a planked and well-caulked ship;” it was built from wood and nails. I have only looked at the nature of the boat, and it certainly is not a steamboat. It is a large boat. “We bore him on a planked and well-caulked ship.” A very large boat. That is it, insha’Allah.
The Boat is Not a Steamboat
“So when Our command came, and water bubbled up from the earth, We said, “Load into it a pair of every species, and your family – except for those against whom the Word was preordained – and all who believed.” But those who believed with him were only few. (Surah Hud, 40)
The words “water bubbled up from the earth” might give the impression that Noah’s Ark was a simple steamboat. However, it is clear from this statement by Mr. Oktar on Kanal Avrupa on 16 May, 2010, that it is in fact a large, wooden boat:
ADNAN OKTAR: I just looked at the quality of the boat and it is really not a steamboat. I had been saying, “I wonder if it could be?” A steamboat. “The water bubbled up...” It is referring to water coming up from underground. There is rain from the sky, but the word “bubbling up” suggests that water started to spout up from the ground. Or maybe there was a cauldron on the boat, a cauldron for cooking, and that boiled. Then the Flood might have started after that. But I saw it was not a steamboat. It was a giant ship, really huge, made of timber. It had compartments within it. Parts were people lived and separate sections were animals were kept, and they did not enter many of the chambers. They may contain divine books that came to the Prophet Noah (as) or objects used by him. There may be personal effects there. We will see those, too. But very careful work needs to be done. There must be no damage.
The Preservation of the Ark until the Coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and Almighty Allah Having It Found As Proof in the End Times is All in Agreement with the Qur’an
Scientists who took part in the research and who had previously been on several study excursions on Mount Ağrı said that the ice and volcanic materials where the Ark was found had helped to preserve it intact. By keeping it at an altitude of 3500 meters, in a remote and secluded place, Almighty Allah preserved it until Hazrat Mahdi (as) appeared and began his work. Mr. Oktar sets this out in a most wise manner by interpreting verses of the Qur’an as follows:
ADNAN OKTAR: Surat al-Ankabut, 15: “We rescued him and the occupants of the Ark and made that into a sign for all the worlds." Allah says. “Build a boat under Our supervision and with Our revelation.” Allah tells him how to build it, where to put the wood, how many compartments it should consist of, what the stern should be like and everything. He says He had him build it through revelation. Revelation, not on the basis of any engineering knowledge. The Prophet Noah (as) acted out of revelation.
The fact that Noah’s Flood actually happened was established through research into the different strata of the Earth. A flood definitely took place. And at the date given. Everyone agrees on that, without exception. People imagine that a boat could never get that high. But if you break it down into tiny parts, there is nothing you can’t get up there. They make portable homes now, bring the parts in and build huge houses out of them. They build mountain chalets, in Switzerland and places like that. They don’t transport the whole building up there in one by helicopter. They take it up there in 50 or 60 parts. Then they assemble it, and the result is a great big house. They finish it very quickly. It is in that way, (from a 16 May, 2010, interview on Kanal Avrupa)
The Discovery of Noah’s Ark is an Explicit Sign of Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) Coming
Events have been developing very quickly in the End Times in which we are living, especially in recent years. New signs are appearing every day and historic events are taking place one after the other. The finding of Noah’s Ark tells all Muslims that Hazrat Mahdi (as) has appeared and has begun work. Mr. Oktar has noted these signs in interviews at different times.
The Ark Appearing in the End Times is an Important Sign
Mr. Oktar describes this important sign:
ADNAN OKTAR: There was an earthquake. The ground split open. Someone was walking along when he slipped and fell in. They then realized, “something is going on here.” They climbed in, conducted a detailed search and reached there. But they would not have realized it was there had there not been an earthquake. It would normally have remained hidden. But that crack opened up because of the earthquake and in they went. They entered the boat, by the stern. The boards have to be lifted up in order to get to the interior, to the other chambers. There are the areas where the Muslims lived, where they slept, cabins – because they spent a long time on the boat – where the animals were fed. I mean, there must be all kinds of bowls and other objects there. Because Muslims dragged it up there and then went back down. They left the boat in that state. They then settled down below. They then split up in all directions, to greener pastures. (9 October 2010, Kahramanmaraş Aksu and Gaziantep Olay TV)
The Finding of Noah’s Ark in Turkey is an Important Sign That Hazrat Mahdi (as) will Emerge from Turkey
Our Prophet (saas) provides much information in the hadiths about Hazrat Mahdi (as) emerging from Istanbul. Mr. Oktar says that the verse “And say: "My Lord, land me in a blessed landing-place. You are the best Bringer to Land.” (Surat al-Muminun, 29) refers to Hazrat Mahdi (as) appearing from Turkey:
ADNAN OKTAR: That means that Turkey is a holy spot, of course. That is highly significant. I mean, they have all come near Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) location, all the prophets. Haven’t they? For example the Prophet Abraham (as) came to Harran. The Prophet Moses (as) came to Ağrı. They were all near Turkey. The Companions all prayed for Istanbul to be taken, and some of the Companions’ tombs are here, as you know. Several Companions came to Istanbul, especially Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. Anatolia, Turkey and Istanbul is therefore the center of the Islamic world. This is also referred to in the Qur’an and it is clear that Noah’s Ark is here. It can be seen from that discovery. It is crystal clear, if there is no error, if those photographs are true.
The Finding of Noah’s Ark is a Most Significant Event, but the Press Have Not Shown the Proper Interest. Mr. Oktar Explains the Reason Why:
ADNAN OKTAR: Now one cannot expect a materialist and Darwinist person to want people to learn the details of that boat. They will therefore put many obstacles in the way. We must take official steps. The region is under the control of the Gendarmerie, and the gendarmes do not let anyone go there. They got special permission and searched there. It has been like that for a long time. It is also a military region; nobody is allowed in. It is also used for intelligence purposes, since it is very high.
Look, the newspapers, radio stations and TV channels of the world are all totally silent. The Turkish press is also keeping quiet. They just want to cover it all up. That’s all. But there is a huge boat up there, at 4000 meters high, among volcanic ash. There is a wooden structure in the shape of a boat, with cabins and places to tether animals. People do not usually venture there. The air is very thin. It is not somewhere that people can live in. So it cannot have been built for any purpose. Nothing can live there, because of the cold and the lack of oxygen. Not even the tiniest insect can survive. Nothing can live there. It is that kind of place. It is therefore impossible for anyone to arrange it and set it out up there. And the wood involved is at least 5000 years old, the timbers used in it. How could anyone find timber dating back 5000 years, drag it up there and make the shape of a ship? In an environment with no oxygen. When could they have done that? You cannot live there. There is no way of getting in. Just a tiny space big enough for one person. How could anyone get huge planks in through that tiny hole? Tons of timber were used. It is a very large boat. People have trouble getting in. But it is technically impossible to get huge planks in, shape them and give them the form of a boat, and then cover it all up with volcanic ash. Impossible. It is clearly Noah’s Ark, and the matter will be put to rest if they enter the other sections. They will realize... (9 October, 2010, Kahramanmaraş Aksu and Gaziantep Olay TV)
The Finding of Noah’s Ark is a Most Significant Event, but the Press Have Not Shown the Proper Interest. Mr. Oktar Explains the Reason Why:
”Now one cannot expect a materialist and Darwinist person to want people to learn the details of that boat. They will therefore put many obstacles in the way. We must take official steps. The region is under the control of the Gendarmerie, and the gendarmes do not let anyone go there. They got special permission and searched there. It has been like that for a long time. It is also a military region; nobody is allowed in. It is also used for intelligence purposes, since it is very high.
Look, the newspapers, radio stations and TV channels of the world are all totally silent. The Turkish press is also keeping quiet. They just want to cover it all up. That’s all. But there is a huge boat up there, at 4000 meters high, among volcanic ash. There is a wooden structure in the shape of a boat, with cabins and places to tether animals. People do not usually venture there. The air is very thin. It is not somewhere that people can live in. So it cannot have been built for any purpose. Nothing can live there, because of the cold and the lack of oxygen. Not even the tiniest insect can survive. Nothing can live there. It is that kind of place. It is therefore impossible for anyone to arrange it and set it out up there. And the wood involved is at least 5000 years old, the timbers used in it. How could anyone find timber dating back 5000 years, drag it up there and make the shape of a ship? In an environment with no oxygen. When could they have done that? You cannot live there. There is no way of getting in. Just a tiny space big enough for one person. How could anyone get huge planks in through that tiny hole? Tons of timber were used. It is a very large boat. People have trouble getting in. But it is technically impossible to get huge planks in, shape them and give them the form of a boat, and then cover it all up with volcanic ash. Impossible. It is clearly Noah’s Ark, and the matter will be put to rest if they enter the other sections. They will realize... (9 October, 2010, Kahramanmaraş Aksu and Gaziantep Olay TV)
