Prime Minister Erdogan: Istanbul Is the Heart of the Islamic World

Bağdat TV: March 2^nd, 2008

Adnan Oktar: The Sun rises where it sets and sets where it rises. This is generally so. So if the Sun set here then it will rise here as well; this is my primary faith. My second faith is that according to the hadiths, the Mahdi will emerge from Istanbul. There are lots of hadiths. It is said to be Constantinopole. There are many hadiths saying that the Turks will play a part in this.

Ahi TV: July 15^th, 2008

Adnan Oktar: It is stated that Turkey will be the leader of the Islamic world and it is also  told that the important incidents of the End Times will take place in Istanbul. Truly, Istanbul is the culture capital of the world and it is important for the whole world. It is the center of all religions.

MPL: February 19^th, 2009

Adnan Oktar: This people will be the leader of the Turkish Islamic Union. Turkey is the leader and everyone will see this. Istanbul will be the spiritual capital. It is the spiritual capital of the whole Turkish Islamic Union. Ankara is the political capital; Istanbul will become the spiritual capital, insha’Allah.

Prime Minister Erdogan said the following about Istanbul during a ceremony he attended:

"Istanbul is Turkey. Istanbul is Europe. Istanbul is Asia. It is the heart of the whole Islamic world. Istanbul is the heart of both the Eastern and  Western civilizations. If you are not in love with this city, you cannot serve it.”