Abdullah Ocalan said Islam should not be used as an instrument by states or political groups, calling instead for what he described as “democratic Islam,” rooted in freedom, justice and coexistence.

In a message sent to the founding congress of the Mesopotamia Islamic Research Federation, held in Diyarbakir under the slogan “From Islamic Democracy to Peace and a Democratic Society,” Ocalan said democratic Islam represents a return to the spirit of the Treaty of Medina, which he described as a historical pact allowing peoples of different faiths and cultures to live together freely and without coercion.

Ocalan said Islam, in its essence, is a religion of freedom, justice and equality, but argued that it has been distorted by sectarian groups and what he called “official state Islam,” which he said modern capitalism has turned into tools of power and exploitation.

Addressing the concept of jihad, Ocalan wrote that “true jihad is the struggle, through constant self-criticism, against the ego and oppression,” emphasizing moral and social accountability rather than violence.

He also stressed the importance of collective decision-making, referring to the concept of councils as a core principle of democratic governance within Islamic tradition.

Ocalan called for Islam to serve as a path toward a free and dignified life, rather than being used to justify authority or domination by states or organized groups.

He said democratic Islam offers an alternative civilizational model based on women’s freedom, ecological balance and the brotherhood of peoples, adding that such an interpretation could help address the deep-rooted conflicts of the Middle East.