As Muslims worldwide prepare to mark International Quds Day on the last Friday of Ramadan, the Orphans Foundation has once again drawn attention to the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since the launch of the Aqsa Flood Operation on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent escalation of Israeli genocidal aggression in the Gaza Strip, the Orphans Foundation (Yetimler Vakfı) has maintained a consistent presence on the ground, delivering life-saving aid to the region’s most vulnerable—especially orphaned children, widows, and displaced families.

In a statement marking the occasion, Cemil Cahit Ünsal, the General Coordinator of the foundation, emphasized that the awareness and activism seen around World Jerusalem Day must extend across all 365 days of the year. He underscored the moral and religious obligation for Muslims to stand against the occupation and to support the Palestinian people in both word and action.

“With the declaration of the last Friday of Ramadan as International Quds Day, we are reminded of our shared duty,” Ünsal said. “But our brothers and sisters in Gaza do not suffer on one day alone. Their pain, their struggle, and their resistance continue every day. Therefore, our awareness and support must also be daily.”

Aid Campaign Reaches Thousands as Ramadan Support Expands

Ünsal provided an update on the foundation’s humanitarian efforts, revealing that a 50 million Turkish lira aid campaign is currently underway. This campaign includes the operation of soup kitchens in Gaza that provide daily iftar meals throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The initiative has already reached thousands of families and continues to grow through the support of generous donors in Türkiye and abroad.

“We started the iftar tents on the very first day of Ramadan. With the support of our benefactors, we are feeding thousands of people every evening,” Ünsal explained. “We call on all philanthropists to strengthen their support so we can expand our efforts even further.”

In addition to food distribution, the Orphans Foundation continues to provide essential items such as medical supplies, hygiene kits, and financial support to orphaned children whose families have been lost in the ongoing bombings.

A Century of Occupation, 17 Months of Systematic Bloodshed

Ünsal did not hold back in his criticism of the Israeli occupation, describing it as a regime that has perpetrated massacres and genocide against the Palestinian people for over a century. He noted that this violence has only escalated since the events of October 2023, with the support of global imperialist powers, particularly the United States.

“For 17 months, the occupying regime, backed by the U.S. and other Western nations, has spilled the blood of our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said. “They have murdered more than 50,000 innocent people, razed entire neighborhoods in Gaza to the ground, and denied worshippers access to Masjid al-Aqsa. Their cruelty knows no bounds.”

Ünsal expressed deep frustration at the silence and complicity of many leaders in the Muslim world, who, he said, have either remained passive in the face of such injustice or aligned themselves with the oppressors.

“While Muslims across the globe have risen in protest and prayer, many rulers of so-called Islamic nations have remained shamefully silent. Some have even offered tacit support to the Zionist entity,” he lamented. “This silence is not neutrality—it is betrayal.”

Jerusalem: Not Just a Symbol, But a Sacred Trust

Touching on the religious significance of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), Ünsal called upon all Muslims to remember that the city was the first qibla of Islam and remains a symbol of Muslim identity, unity, and resistance.

“Jerusalem is not merely a historical city or a political dispute. It is a sacred trust—a spiritual cause that every believer must carry in their heart,” he said. “To protect Al-Quds is to protect our faith, our history, and our dignity.”

Ünsal pointed out that every year on International Quds Day, rallies, conferences, and marches are held in various countries to protest the occupation and express solidarity with the Palestinian people. He confirmed that the Orphans Foundation will take part in such events and will continue to amplify the voice of the oppressed through all available channels.

“Inshallah, we will continue to support initiatives that raise awareness, mobilize the ummah, and strengthen resistance,” he said. “But we must also internalize that International Quds Day is not just one Friday in Ramadan—it is a call to action for every day of our lives.”

A Call to Action: ‘We Must Not Remain Silent’

Ünsal concluded with a powerful appeal to Muslims around the world, urging them not to remain silent or inactive in the face of injustice. He stressed that the burden of defending Jerusalem and aiding Palestine does not rest solely on the shoulders of those under occupation.

“The responbility of protecting our first qibla does not belong only to the people of Palestine. It is a responsibility for all Muslims,” he said. “Let us raise our voices. Let us open our wallets. Let us not leave our brothers and sisters alone. May our actions echo louder than our words.” (ILKHA)