LALIT K. JHA: Could you elaborate a little bit and summarize for our audience, how did you start it (your efforts)? What's the thing that went into it to start it? A challenge in a scientific manner from your perspective about the theory of Darwinism and what it is all about?

ADNAN OKTAR: Of course when I was in high school, during my high school years my studies were on the surface. When I became a university student at Fındıklı Fine Arts Faculty, I had the opportunity to use the library of Fine Arts Faculty. But to speak more clearly, I, later on, in 1986, concentrated on my studies more. In the following years, I had a group of about 30 friends who were experts. Together with them, I got into sophisticated scientific research and studies. Consequently, these works are the fruits of these efforts.

LALIT K. JHA: Right now there are very few people in the scientific world who believe in your theory. How confident are you that the theory will be acceptable by the scientific community world over in the coming years?

ADNAN OKTAR: In ten years time Darwinism will be history and people will only read about Darwinism as a piece of history. That is because, Darwinism experiences a solid collapse all over the world. In Turkey, for instance, the rate of people who do not believe in Darwinism is very high, almost 90 percent. That is to say, you might be mistaken in that.  In Europe, the proportion of the ones who do not believe in Darwinism has reached a level of 80 percent and more. With the publication of Atlas Of Creation, as well as the impact of the website,  there has been a huge revolution all around the world. Darwinism has fallen head over heels right now. In Turkey for example it will be very difficult for you to find a professor who advocates Darwinism. In  all schools, children only make fun of Darwinism because they no longer believe in Darwinism. If you go out into the street in Turkey and make a survey to ask common people whether they believe in Darwinism or not, you will see that nobody believes in Darwinism. Maybe you will find very rarely any people who would believe in Darwinism.

In Italy for example one of the most important newspapers of Italy, “La Stampa” the journalist used the heading “Fair-well Darwin”, an importat statement regarding the demise of Darwinism. In France for example the newspaper “Le Point” used the heading “Save Darwin” which is again very important.

LALIT K. JHA: Has after your book Atlas of Creation was published, has there been any credible scientific challenge to it and or do you accept those challenges?

ADNAN OKTAR: How can they respond to it?They should first answer the following; there are 100 million fossils proving creation. There are a hundred million fossils which is called the "living fossils". They have no answer to provide to a hundred million fossils that remained unchanged very apparently. These fossils kept by people put an end to this matter. The formation of a protein by coincidence is scientifically impossible. That is to say Darwinism has faced an absolute deadlock. It became evident that it was based on lies, hatched plots and deceived people. Now out of panic, they try to save themselves by resorting to demagogy. Yet they fiercely avoid to enter into discussion. I, for instance, have invited many scientists to a debate. I invited Dawkins from Britain, he severely avoids debate. We offered him to go to Britain, he rejected. We asked him to meet at a location where we could hold a debate, but he also refused. We invited him to any place where both sides would agree upon, but he again did not want that. In other words, he in no way yields because he is sure that he will be defeated.

LALIT K. JHA: Has he (Mr. Oktar) sent invitation to any other group of scientists for who have challenged it?

ADNAN OKTAR: This invitation applies to the entire world. There is an individual who, I think, is willing to participate in a debate. Yet, he has nothing to do, because first he needs to provide an explanation for the one hundred million fossils. He can not utter a single word. He knows that not a single protein can come into existence by coincidence. He can not say a single word about this subject. No one can explain how a single cell came into existence. Skulls are fake, we explained this; they also can not provide an answer to it. We one by one explained the invalidity and falsity of what they assert to be intermediate-fossils. They also can not provide an answer to that. We provided the evidence for all the fraud they committed. They also cannot provide an answer to this. What will he speak, even if he enters into a debate. There have nothing left to talk about.

LALIT K. JHA: Thank you. Can we shift to another topic? Radical Islam, Islamism. Being an Islamic leader, all over the world you see this increasing trend of what the Western media say about Islamic radicalism. In Pakistan, Afghanistan and in other parts of the world... The growth of Taliban, al-Qaida. What is your opinion about all these issues?

ADNAN OKTAR: Islam has a spirit, an essence and purpose. This is compassion, mercy, love, cooperation, forgiveness, happiness, joy, adorning the surroundings, having love towards everything, and to seek Allah's compassion above everything. Every organisation and each endeavor failing to accomplish these do not act in compliance with the spirit of Islam. Consequently, they are erroneous thoughts. Having this condense information, it is possible to discern between what is normal and deviant.

LALIT K. JHA: So, from this what I get in essence is that you don't support al-Qaida, al-Taliban, the way they are progressing towards the concept of jihad.

ADNAN OKTAR: Essentiallly there is jihad in Islam, jihad means "to strive, to make effort". That is to say, one approaches people with love and compassion. One convinces them with scientific and intellectual evidence. One tells them the love of Allah, the beauties of the Qur'an and its righteous aspects. One tells the invalidity of Darwinism, materialism, and the malice of fascism and communism. That is the "jihad", that is to say, beating someone in the head is not jihad.

LALIT K. JHA: Right now, there is war going on in Iraq and Afghanistan also in parts of Pakistan. This war between al-Qaida, Taliban and US led international forces. Turkish forces, they are also in parts of Afghanistan supporting the US forces. What do you think could be a solution, a long term solution to the war that is going on right now?

ADNAN OKTAR: This is the system that will only come to an end and improve with the coming of the Mahdi (pbuh). The sayings of our Prophet (saas) tell that, before the coming of the Mahdi (pbuh), there will be an invasion in Afghanistan, that such events will happen, that there will be another invasion in Iraq. It is stated that such events will happen in the End Times in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas). And the timing of these events are told precisely. These are the signs of the Mahdi (pbuh)'s coming. When Mahdi (pbuh) comes, all these fitna, strife, bloodshed will disappear. That is because in one of the sayings it is told; "Mahdi (pbuh) does not wake the one who sleeps and does not shed blood." All of these events will take place soon and people will witness them insha’Allah.

LALIT K. JHA: When do you expect that to happen?

ADNAN OKTAR: In my conviction, Mahdi (pbuh) has already appeared in the year 1400, the lunar calendar, and he is still realizing his mission right now. That is to say, he began his efforts in 1981s, continued them in 91 and in 2001, and he is still going on. He will also continue in 2011 and will achieve results in 2021as we understand from our Prophet (saas)'s sayings in the hadiths insha’Allah.

LALIT K. JHA: Recently the US presidential election was held in which Barack Hussein Obama was elected the new US president. He will of course take his office in January the 20th, next year. What message does this send to the Muslim world in particular, or the other parts of the world in general, the election of a non-white or a black president to the US?

ADNAN OKTAR: Discrimination between black and non-black is very irrational. All people are Allah's servants. They are all the same, that is to say they are the same. If someone gets a tan under the Sun or in a solarium, he woul have a darker complexion, and this would not affect his character or personality. That is to say, there exists no relationship between color and a human being's morality. I find this very irrational.

LALIT K. JHA: My question was based on media reports coming out of the Muslim world, other parts of the world, the celebrations of the popularity of Mr. Barack Obama after his elections.

ADNAN OKTAR: The election of Obama will in no way change the policy of US in my opinion because in the US there is an American state. That state always remains in power, governments change but the power of the state never changes. Since the state holds the power and not the government, the coming of Obama or any other person to power in America will not change the American foreign policies.

LALIT K. JHA: India has the second largest Muslim population after Indonesia. What is your view about the Muslims in that country and what matters to them?

ADNAN OKTAR: I love all of them. And I would like them to communicate the message of Islam more, and to tell the beauties of Islam, the glorious impact Islam has on the human soul. Then they will see for their own eyes that great masses of people will accept Islam.

LALIT K. JHA: India and Pakistan has a conflict in Kashmir. Being an Islamist leader, what is your view on resolving that conflict?

ADNAN OKTAR: Mutual compassion, love and tolerance, because a person does not feel happy with a piece of land. One is happy with love and faith. Love felt for human beings, faith, mutual understanding, mutual trust will I think solve these problems. For instance, I guess that you are a Hindu, but you are my brother, I feel compassion and affection for you. You are also a servant of Allah and I respect your views and your faith. Consequently I do not have any feelings of animosity towards you. And I think a Muslim also thinks in the same way. If there is a piece of land, for instance, there is no need to quarrel over it whether it belongs to one or the other. Both sides should agree on the most honest, the most sincere, and the most rational situation. The most conscientious decision should be adopted. Then the matter will be resolved, but of course there should be a referee. The fact is that, there is a need for people from the outside. That is to say, arbitration is important in such matters.

LALIT K. JHA: So you are basicly supporting a peaceful dialogue between India and Pakistan with possibly a third party to ensure this peace in the country. This brings me to the role of Turkey in playing the role of in between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Turkey being possibly a third party to ensure peace between those countries. How do you see the Turkey's role in Afghanistan and the conflict that is going on there?

ADNAN OKTAR: Of course, there needs to be a very strong cultural policy there. That is to say, love, compassion, friendship, forgiveness, tolerance, being well mannered,  brotherhood and beauty should be propagated. We should propagate to have beauty and aesthetics all around us. These values need to be communicated to people. Everyone feels comfortable when such an environment is secured. That is to say, you are a Hindu, for instance, another person might be a Budhist or another person might have adopted another belief. Allah created all of us with various beliefs. Yet all of us are brothers, that is to say, Allah creates it this way. In other words, people live their lives in the way they are created by Allah. For this reason, beautiful environments, beautiful words, and beautiful speech remove the tension, urge people to a more peaceful, affectionate life. The world is large enough to provide room for everyone. The world is not a place for so much fight and conflict. This is a place to worship Allah, an environment to earn the pleasure of Allah.

LALIT K. JHA: I was reading one of the articles written by you and in one of those you did mention about the current economic crisis and you said that the interest rates charged by banks are probably one of the main factors responsible for it. Could you eleborate on it and then what is the solution to the grand economic crisis that the world is facing?

ADNAN OKTAR: Of course I will be saying the same things again. The essential factors underlying this current economic crisis is the high interest rates, people’s failing to put trust in Allah, fear, that is to say, expectation of the worst from the future, amassing fortune and property, and avoidance from spending, not being generous in giving away to the poor and being mean. These are the causes for such occurrences. If money is distributed, money circulates and production increases. When money is withheld, property is also withheld. When property is withheld, production is withheld. Then the system comes to a total death. This is due to the egotism, selfishness of some people.

LALIT K. JHA: Next week in Washington leaders of G-20 will be meeting, who have been invited by US President George Bush to discuss on the grand world economic crisis and to find a solution for this. What will be your solution or advice for the settlement of this crisis?

ADNAN OKTAR: First of all we need to eradicate the high interest rates and we have to decrease the levels of interest rates, we need to decrease the level of high taxes by half because the taxes are very high and the market is in need of great sums of money. The market needs to be provided with high supply of money. And people need to be kept away from this great level of panic, which keeps people away from spending money. What we need to do is to encourage people to spend more money. In such an environment, the market boosts automatically, and with the reduction in interest rates, production increases. With lower taxes, producers will provide more supply to the market securely. Consumption needs to be encouraged. People should be made well aware of the falsehood of keeping money. The market should be supplied adequate sums of money. If people understand how unnecessary it is to make this panic, then this collapse, crisis will be eliminated.

LALIT K. JHA: So you are clearly saying reduction of interest and elimination of taxes as a solution to the grand global economic crisis.

ADNAN OKTAR: Interest should be eliminated completely.

LALIT K. JHA: Next question, do you believe in the freedom of speech?

ADNAN OKTAR: Of course, absolutely, to the end.

LALIT K. JHA: Recently I have seen a lot of media reports in the American press. You are going to the court and banning certain websites who hold opposite views against you. Can you expand on this, what can you say about this?

ADNAN OKTAR: I support freedom of speech, not freedom of insult. In the case of an insult, courts will certainly intervene and do what is necessary. There can not be freedom of insult in the world. Those who say that they can insult as they like simply err as this is an abnormal way of thinking. There is no "freedom of insult" in the world. There is no freedom of attacking someone, oppressing someone, attacking one's honour. If one is confronting a case of insult, he needs to apply to court and needs to sue for damages, needs to open a criminal suit. Many legal precautions can be taken. Everybody should know it. It is the same throughout the entire world. Nobody is against it. In all laws in the world states insult and attack are forbidden and there is a penalty for them. There is nothing to be surprised at it. Yet, I am in favour of freedom of thought. I, on the other hand, believe in the freedom of thought. People can dissemminate their ideas as they wish. They can establish institutions, parties. I give them my full support.

LALIT K. JHA: I believe while I was coming here for the interview, one of your colleagues told me that you have been banned from going out of this country. If you are given a chance, which would be the country or place where you would like to go outside Turkey?

ADNAN OKTAR: I would like to go to Jerusalem, to Paris, Rome, Mecca and Medina.

LALIT K. JHA: Could you explain the reasons for going to—except for Mecca and Medina, I believe for religious purposes—other cities you are planing to go?

ADNAN OKTAR: You know Jerusalem, like Mecca and Medina, is a holy city of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. It is a historical city and is a beauty in every way. I also find Rome very aesthetic and beautiful. So is Paris. In Paris, for example, I like the art in Paris, I like the Parisian people, I like the architecture and artistry in these cities. Also if I go to these cities, I will have the opportunity to go into some intellectual discussion with people.

LALIT K. JHA: Thank you.