Turkish staffers in Bangladesh pray for July 15 martyrs

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Turkish officials in Bangladesh held special prayers in the capital Dhaka, marking the 4th anniversary of the 2016 defeated coup attempt in Turkey.

"We do not forget our martyrs," Ismail Gundogdu, coordinator of Turkey's state-run Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), told Anadolu Agency.

TIKA in collaboration with the Turkish Embassy in Dhaka held congregational prayer at a mosque in the diplomatic upscale area of Banani on Friday, according to a statement issued by the aid agency.

"Bangladeshi Huffaz performed complete recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Hatm al-Qur’an prayers for our heroic martyrs of 15 July on the occasion of the upcoming fourth anniversary of heinous coup attempt. TIKA Dhaka office provided local confectionery to the jamaat [devotees at the prayer]," the statement said.

Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in Turkey, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Recalling the sacrifice of the martyrs, Gundogdu said the incident was a great lesson for Turkish nationals to fight together against tyrants and in favor of country's solidarity and democracy.

Taner Sahin, counsellor for Interior Affairs at the Turkish embassy, also attended the prayers.