A self-criticism of Islamic world by top Turkish official in Mecca

Today is the first day of the two biggest festivities of Islam, Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, also marking the completion of the annual pilgrimage around Kaaba in Mecca.

Leading Turkish pilgrims in Mecca this year, Mehmet Görmez, Turkey?s Religious Affairs (Diyanet) Director, delivered a khutbah (sermon) and a prayer there Sept. 23, on the eve of the festivities? start. 

Pleading for the mercy of God, Görmez said it was no one but Muslims who are responsible if there are those who think that this religion of God?s grace was a ?religion of fear.? 

Underlining that Muslims start every action in the name of God, Görmez said, ?But [Muslims] failed to do our works with justice, mercy and love. We called violence as jihad, oppression as victory.?

Though there is no direct reference in his prayer, which could be counted as a self-criticism in the name of Muslims around the world, the words of Görmez came after a speech he delivered in Ankara on Aug. 17, when he condemned movements like al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) as being of ?terrorism? and all good Muslims should ?unite against their deception.? 

?This fact cannot be ignored as provocations of ?exterior conspirators,?? Görmez continued. ?We have to ask ourselves: ?What have we done wrong that those provocations have found ground??? That was a follow-up of a report by the Diyanet on Aug. 10, under the title ?Aims, Activities and Islamic Understanding of the Terrorist Organization Daesh,? referring to ISIL by its Arabic initials.

The message of Görmez coincided with the reopening of the Central Mosque in Moscow by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was joined by Turkish President Tayyip Erdo?an among political leaders from countries...