Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the spirit of Manzikert, site of a decisive battle in 1071 between Seljuk Turks and Byzantine forces, is still alive for the Turkish and Islamic world. Erdogan said this today during a demonstration, part of two days of commemoration of the anniversary of the battle, which ended in victory for the Seljuk forces, Turkish media reported, citing BTA.
Victory in the Battle of Manzikert (Malazgirt in Turkish) is a victory of unity against oppression and the fruit of unity and solidarity, Erdogan said, quoted by Turkish private television NTV.
"As a nation, we can overcome difficulties only if we are united. We can repel the attacks against our homeland only if we are together," the Turkish leader added.
The Battle of Manzikert is a landmark event in the history of the Seljuk Turks, whose victory in 1071 opened the way for their mass settlement in Asia Minor, where the Ottoman Empire arose centuries later.
In an address to the crowd gathered for the holiday, Erdogan praised "the spirit of Manzikert, who after 953 years is still alive for the Turkish and Islamic world," writes "Daily Sabah".
"We are blessed to mark the anniversary of the victory at Manzikert, which opened the gates of Anatolia (to the Turks). As a nation, we are feeling the same excitement as 953 years ago," Erdogan said.
The president defined Manzikert not just as a "golden chapter of our glorious history, but also a guiding light for our aspiration for Turkey in 2071."