Thousands of people gathered in the southeastern city of Batman on Sunday for a grand Mawlid al-Nabi event organized by the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation, held under the theme: “Resistance Leader Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).”

The spiritually charged gathering took place at the Mevlid area next to the New Bus Terminal and drew widespread participation despite heavy rain.

Preparations for the major religious event began weeks in advance. Banners in Kurdish (Kurmanji and Zazaki), Turkish, Arabic, and English welcomed participants to the Mawlid grounds, while mobile announcement vehicles roamed the city to spread awareness. Hundreds of volunteers from the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation worked tirelessly to coordinate logistics, transportation, and crowd management.

Participants arrived at the venue waving Tawhid flags inscribed with “La Ilaha Illallah Muhammad Rasulullah” and Palestinian flags, reflecting the event’s dual emphasis on devotion and solidarity with oppressed Muslim communities. Posters of Qassam Brigades Spokesperson Abu Obeida and Jerusalem Conqueror Saladin Ayyubi adorned buildings surrounding the venue.

Free transportation was provided from 24 locations across Batman, and attendees were directed through gender-specific entrances to facilitate organized access to the gathering area. A dedicated health tent staffed by medical professionals and coordinated by the Health and Environmentalism Association was set up for emergency needs. A separate tent was also established to assist families in the event of lost children.

The event was broadcast live on Rehber TV, with giant screens erected on site to ensure visibility for all attendees. Meanwhile, a charity bazaar, featuring homemade foods prepared by local women, was also held, with proceeds directed toward the needy.

The program officially began with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Imam Hatip İbrahim Halil Yakut, followed by readings from the traditional Mawlid al-Nabi, narrating the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Hosts Mustafa Tufan and Fatih Taş led the proceedings with warmth and reverence.

Prominent scholars and speakers addressed the crowd, including Mullah Ömer Çelik, a board member of the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation and chairman of the Martyrs Caravan Platform, and Mullah Osman Tayfur, a member of ITTIHADUL ULEMA. Scholar Molla Naci Özdaş delivered this year’s official Mawlid message from the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation.

The event, rich in hymns, nasheeds, and spiritual melodies, is set to conclude with a heartfelt prayer led by respected Islamic scholar Molla Nezir Özdemir, marking the end of a gathering filled with remembrance, unity, and love for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). (ILKHA)