A heartfelt scene unfolded at Istanbul Airport on Sunday evening as the Hope Caravan Foundation delegation departed for Tunisia to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, a bold international civilian mission to break Israel’s illegal Gaza blockade.

Surrounded by tearful family members, fellow activists, and supporters, the group was farewelled with heartfelt prayers, Quranic recitations, and vows of unwavering solidarity.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona, Spain, on August 31, 2025, is one of the largest maritime solidarity campaigns since the 2010 Mavi Marmara mission. Comprising dozens of ships and participants from nearly 50 countries, the flotilla reflects global outrage over the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The fleet is scheduled to dock in Tunisia on September 4, where additional ships and activists, including the Hope Caravan delegation, will join before heading toward the besieged enclave.

Among the flotilla’s vessels is The Hope, a ship operated by the Hope Caravan Foundation, a Türkiye-based initiative dedicated to Palestinian liberation.

A Delegation Representing Global Solidarity

The Hope Caravan delegation includes Mehmet Özer, Secretary General of ITTIHADUL ULEMA; Mehmet Sait Özcan, Ankara Representative of Doğru Medya; and renowned religious singer Ender Tekin. In Tunisia, they will be joined by HÜDA PAR MP Faruk Dinç and HÜDA PAR Ankara Provincial Chairman Ahmet Karaaslan, who will board The Hope to continue the mission.

The farewell at Istanbul Airport was marked by profound emotion and resolve. Supporters, some chanting “Free Gaza!” and others in tears, hailed the delegation as representatives of the global Muslim ummah and all who stand against injustice. For many, their mission symbolizes not only humanitarian aid but also a defiant stand against oppression.

Cengiz Kurtaran

Cengiz Kurtaran, President of the Hope Caravan Foundation, addressed the gathering: “Our brothers are embarking on a noble but challenging journey. For nearly two years, Gaza has endured an unrelenting genocide. This flotilla carries three goals: to break the siege, halt the genocide, and deliver vital aid. Though obstacles may arise, our delegation will show the world that Gaza is not alone. We call on the Turkish people to support this mission through prayers, awareness, and advocacy for the flotilla’s safe passage.”

Kurtaran also cautioned that the flotilla could face harassment or interception by Israeli forces, as seen in past missions like the Mavi Marmara, when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists in international waters in 2010. He urged international pressure to ensure the convoy’s safety.

A Mission Rooted in Faith and Duty

The delegates framed their journey as a moral and spiritual imperative, rooted in Islamic values and a universal call to justice.

Mehmet Özer

Mehmet Özer declared: “We thank Allah for this honor. As the world risks forgetting Gaza, we pray this flotilla keeps the crisis at the forefront of global consciousness and helps end the siege.”

Mehmet Sait Özcan

Mehmet Sait Özcan emphasized the ethical weight of their mission: “For 22 months, Gaza has faced unimaginable savagery. We act not out of politics but from our Islamic, humanitarian, and moral duty. On Judgment Day, we must answer to Allah with dignity. We hope this flotilla galvanizes global civil society to stop the genocide.”

Ender Tekin

Ender Tekin spoke of collective responsibility: “Allah has granted us the opportunity to deliver aid to Gaza. Those who remain behind must amplify this mission through prayers, social media, and advocacy, ensuring the world knows Gaza has not been abandoned.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla: A Beacon of Resistance

Named after the Arabic term sumud (steadfastness), the Global Sumud Flotilla is a powerful act of civilian resistance. Supported by NGOs, humanitarian groups, and grassroots movements from nearly 50 countries, it seeks to deliver aid and challenge the legality of Israel’s naval blockade, which international law experts argue violates the Geneva Conventions by imposing collective punishment. Reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch document how the blockade has deprived Gaza’s two million residents of food, medicine, clean water, and fuel, exacerbating famine and causing countless preventable deaths.

Organizers emphasize the flotilla’s peaceful, humanitarian nature, drawing parallels to the 2010 Freedom Flotilla. The memory of the Mavi Marmara raid looms large, fueling both determination and caution among participants.

Gaza’s Crisis and the World’s Response

Since October 2023, Gaza has faced relentless Israeli bombardment, invasion, and siege, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, including entire families lost in single strikes. Hospitals have been targeted, aid convoys blocked, and starvation weaponized, with children dying daily from hunger and lack of medical care. The flotilla arrives at a critical moment, as Gaza grapples with unprecedented famine and destruction.

As Cengiz Kurtaran stated, “This mission is about more than aid—it’s about bearing witness. We tell Gaza’s people: we hear you, we see you, and we will not forget you. We tell the oppressors: the world will not remain silent.”

A Journey of Faith and Defiance

As The Hope prepares to sail from Tunisia, it carries not only food and medicine but also the prayers of millions. For the Hope Caravan delegation and thousands of activists worldwide, this mission transcends a maritime journey—it embodies sumud in confronting injustice.

Whether the flotilla reaches Gaza or faces interception, its impact is already resonating globally. From Istanbul to Barcelona, Johannesburg to Jakarta, supporters are rallying, sharing updates, and pressing governments to hold Israel accountable.

At Istanbul Airport, one supporter captured the moment’s bittersweet resolve: “They go for us all. If they reach Gaza, it’s a victory. If they’re stopped, it’s still a victory, because the world will see that Gaza is not forgotten.”

For updates on the Global Sumud Flotilla, visit [https://globalsumudflotilla.org/] or follow the Hope Caravan Foundation’s social media channels. To support relief efforts, contact humanitarian organizations active in the mission. (ILKHA)