HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu drew attention to the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza and the broader fragmentation of the Islamic Ummah during the Mawlid al-Nabi celebration in Istanbul.

The event, held in Bağcılar Square and organized by the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation, drew thousands to commemorate the birth of the Prophet under the theme “Resistance Leader Prophet Muhammad,” as part of the foundation’s ongoing series, “Understanding the Prophet and Living his Sunnah.”

In an exclusive interview with İlke News Agency (İLKHA), Yapıcıoğlu expressed deep concern over the plight of Gaza’s 2 million residents, who he said are enduring starvation, dehydration, and a severe shortage of medical supplies as Israel’s genocidal aggression continues unabated. He described these humanitarian needs as being “weaponized” against Palestinians, a situation he attributed to the failure of the nearly 2 billion-strong Muslim Ummah to rally in support of their brethren. “The Islamic Ummah, approaching 2 billion in number, has drifted away from the leadership, Sunnah, and practices of the Messenger of Allah,” Yapıcıoğlu stated. “As a result, we are unable to come to the rescue of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Gaza, who are threatened with hunger, thirst, and lack of medicine.”

Yapıcıoğlu thanked the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation for organizing the event, as well as the contributors and attendees who filled Bağcılar Square to honor the Prophet. He emphasized the timeliness of the event’s theme, which portrays Prophet Muhammad as a “Leader of Resistance.” “In an era where the Ummah is witnessing the slaughter of innocent women, children, and defenseless people in Gaza, broadcast live before the world, this theme is profoundly meaningful,” he said. He referenced the Prophet’s resolute leadership, citing the historical example of the expulsion of Jews from Medina for violating a Muslim woman’s dignity, to highlight the strength and unity that adherence to the Sunnah once fostered.

The HÜDA PAR leader lamented the current state of the Muslim world, describing it as “scattered and fragmented” due to its departure from the Prophet’s teachings. “If we had truly embodied the Ummah of the Messenger of Allah, who stood firm against injustice, we would not be standing idly by with our hands tied while bombs rain down on Gaza, tearing bodies apart and pushing our brothers and sisters closer to death from starvation and disease,” he declared. He underscored the urgency of reconnecting with the Prophet’s Sunnah, urging Muslims to “remember him, understand him, and strive to live by his example more than ever.”

Yapıcıoğlu expressed hope that events like the Mawlid Al-Nabi celebration would ignite a renewed passion among Muslims to study the Prophet’s life and emulate his Sunnah. “If gatherings like this increase our enthusiasm, desire, and effort to know the Messenger of Allah and follow his path, it will, insha’Allah, be a step toward reclaiming our honor as an Ummah,” he said. He envisioned these efforts culminating in Muslims uniting under the Prophet’s banner of Liwa al-Hamd (the Banner of Praise), a symbol of divine favor and unity on the Day of Judgment.

Turning to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Yapıcıoğlu described the bloodshed as a “current and unrelenting pain” that reflects broader challenges facing the Muslim world. He framed Gaza as not only a site of suffering but also a beacon of resistance, emphasizing that the crisis is interconnected with the Ummah’s broader disunity. “The pain in Gaza is not isolated; it is at the heart of our collective struggle,” he said. He called for an end “‘We are scattered and disintegrated’ to sectarianism, tribalism, and other divisions that weaken the Muslim community, urging Muslims to come together “like a clenched fist” to support Palestinians.

In his closing remarks, Yapıcıoğlu offered a heartfelt prayer for Gaza’s resilience and the Ummah’s revival. “We ask our Lord to make this event a catalyst for the awakening of the Ummah, its unity, and its ability to rush to the aid of our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” he said. “May gatherings like these inspire us to overcome division and work collectively for justice, insha’Allah.”

The Mawlid Al-Nabi event, marked by prayers, recitations, and speeches, underscored the Prophet’s enduring legacy as a source of inspiration and guidance. Yapıcıoğlu’s address resonated with attendees, many of whom echoed his call for solidarity with Gaza and a return to the Prophet’s teachings as a path to restoring the Ummah’s strength and dignity. (ILKHA)