CAMBRIDGE / AA

**Turkish President in a written statement:

- The visit gains special importance amid rising Islamophobia and cultural racism worldwide.

- We see that our mosque, which since its foundation stone was laid has been a symbol of solidarity against discrimination and respect against hatred, continues to successfully fulfill this mission.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday described King Charles III's visit to Cambridge Central Mosque and Complex as 'highly significant' and gaining special importance amid rising Islamophobia and cultural racism worldwide.

This came in a written statement published by President Erdogan on the occasion of King Charles III's visit to the mosque, known as Europe's first eco-friendly mosque.

Erdogan noted that the Cambridge Central Mosque and Complex was inaugurated about seven years ago, expressing his happiness that the mosque hosted this 'highly significant' visit.

He said: 'We see that our mosque, which since its foundation stone was laid has been a symbol of solidarity against discrimination and respect against hatred, continues to successfully fulfill this mission.'

He pointed to King Charles's interest in promoting peaceful coexistence among followers of different cultures, origins, and beliefs, stressing that his efforts in this field are well known.

He added that the King's visit to the mosque gains great value at a time when the world is witnessing a rise in manifestations of hostility towards Islam and cultural racism.

Erdogan also conveyed his greetings to the friendly British people through King Charles, expressing his hope to host the British monarch in Turkey.

Erdogan also sent his greetings to members of the Muslim community in the United Kingdom, especially Turkish citizens.

Photo: Rooful Ali/AA

Earlier on Monday, King Charles III visited Cambridge Central Mosque and met with the mosque's imams, board members, and members of the Muslim community.

King Charles was accompanied during his visit by Turkey's Ambassador to London Osman Koray Ertas, Cambridge Mosque Trust board member Zeynep Coskun Kucuk, and Deputy Head of Religious Affairs Selim Argun.

Cambridge Central Mosque and Complex, inaugurated by President Erdogan at the end of 2019, is Europe's first eco-friendly mosque, relying on sustainable technologies including solar panels, air-source heat pumps, natural ventilation systems, and the use of timber sourced from sustainably managed forests.

The mosque also features near-zero carbon emissions, uses rainwater for irrigation and cleaning, and meets about 40% of its electricity needs through solar energy.

The mosque's role is not limited to worship; it carries out social and humanitarian activities, including distributing food parcels to needy families, organizing health awareness events, hosting vaccination campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as environmental and community initiatives in collaboration with religious and civil institutions in Cambridge.