Thousands of residents of Diyarbakır gathered on Sunday evening at Sheikh Said Square under the banner of “We Are Gathering for Gaza”, an event organized by the Prophet's Lovers Foundation.

Carrying prayer rugs on their shoulders, waving Palestinian flags, and raising their voices in unison, men, women, and children of all ages joined in collective worship and solidarity with Gaza—where the people continue to endure massacres, starvation, and genocide at the hands of the Israeli occupation regime.

The event, themed “Bring Your Prayer Rug!”, was more than a rally. It was a declaration that Muslims in Türkiye refuse to remain silent while their brothers and sisters in Palestine face hunger, thirst, and oppression.

“Gaza Has Not Bowed Down”

Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Dr. Sertaç Tekdal described Gaza as the frontline of the Islamic struggle and a mirror reflecting both steadfast resistance and shameful betrayal.

“Despite the most severe brutality and genocide for nearly two years, Gaza has not bowed down,” Tekdal said. “The mujahideen and the people of Gaza, starved and deprived of water, continue to resist. Their endurance has enraged the Zionist enemy, who now tries to force surrender through hunger and thirst. That image—children chasing after bread, mothers holding thirsty infants, families digging through rubble for food—is not only a shame for the Islamic ummah but a disgrace for all humanity.”

The crowd responded with chants of “Kahrolsun İsrail!” (Down with Israel!) and “Gaza will not bow!”, filling the square with voices of defiance.

Lessons from History: Honor and Betrayal

Dr. Tekdal reminded participants that Islamic history is filled with examples of both loyalty and betrayal.

“Those who sacrificed for the Qur’an are remembered with honor, while those who abandoned their believing brothers are remembered with humiliation,” he declared. “After our Prophet’s passing, history witnessed two kinds of people—those who continued his struggle with sincerity and those who surrendered to greed and selfishness. The people of Gaza today stand among the first group, while their betrayers, both past and present, belong to the second.”

He drew powerful historical parallels, citing Saladin Ayyub, who devoted 30 years to liberating Jerusalem without personal ambition; Omar al-Mukhtar, the Lion of the Desert who led the resistance against Italian colonialism in Libya; and Sheikh Said, whose sacrifice continues to inspire Anatolian Muslims.

By contrast, he named figures such as Sharif Hussein, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak, who aligned with Zionists and imperialists, earning disgrace both in life and in memory.,

“History shows us clearly,” Tekdal said. “Those who fight for Allah and His Messenger live forever in honor, while those who betray for gold and power are cursed and forgotten. Gaza today is writing a page of honor in the book of history.”

Türkiye’s Role and the “Black Stain” of Recognition

In one of the most charged moments of his address, Tekdal criticized Türkiye’s decision in 1949 to recognize the Zionist entity, calling it “a black stain on our nation’s forehead.”,

“Yes, steps have been taken since then to distance Türkiye from this stain,” he acknowledged. “But it has not yet been fully erased. Today, supporting Gaza with every means—political, economic, and moral—is our duty. Türkiye must be at the forefront of this cause. Only through unwavering solidarity with Palestine can this nation cleanse itself of the shame of recognition.”

This message resonated strongly with the participants, many of whom carried banners urging Türkiye to cut all political, military, and trade ties with Israel.

Gaza: The Torch of the Ummah,

Throughout the evening, Tekdal emphasized the spiritual significance of Gaza, describing it as a continuation of the prophetic struggle.,

“In the silence of the world, Gaza has become the torch of the ummah,” he said. “Its children embody the spirit of Badr and Uhud. Its women remind us of the patience of Sumayyah, the first martyr of Islam. Its mujahideen walk in the footsteps of Khalid ibn al-Walid and Salahuddin. Gaza has shown us that Islam is alive—not in the palaces of kings, but in the ruined homes and broken streets of the oppressed.”

A Night of Worship and Prayer,

As the sun set, the square transformed into an immense place of worship. The call to prayer echoed across Diyarbakır, and thousands lined up shoulder to shoulder for the evening prayer. Children held Qur’ans and Palestinian flags, while elders raised their hands in supplication.,

The program concluded with a powerful dua by Molla Remzi Uçar, a member of the ITTIHADUL ULEMA Board of Directors, who prayed for the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the victory of the Palestinian resistance, and the downfall of the Zionist oppressors. Many participants were moved to tears.,

Diyarbakır’s Message to the World,

The gathering in Diyarbakır was not a local event alone. It was a loud and clear message to the global community: the Muslim ummah has not forgotten Gaza and will not abandon Palestine.

For nearly two years, the Israeli regime has sought to annihilate Gaza through bombings, starvation, and disease. But in Diyarbakır, as in countless cities across Türkiye and the Muslim world, the vow was renewed: Palestine lives in our hearts, and Al-Aqsa remains our cause.

As Dr. Tekdal concluded: “Gaza is not just a city. It is the honor of the Islamic ummah. It is the frontier of Islam. And every Muslim has a duty to stand by its side until victory, until freedom, until Al-Aqsa is liberated.” (ILKHA)