In an atmosphere charged with deep spiritual devotion and the yearning for Islamic unity, thousands of residents of Van filled the city's main square for the Mawlid Al Nabi celebration, organized by the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation.

The event, held under this year's powerful theme "Resistance Leader Prophet Muhammad," turned into not only a commemoration of the birth of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) but also a passionate call for the Islamic Ummah to revive the spirit of resistance against oppression.

The celebration began with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, filling the air with tranquility and reverence. The people of Van, wrapped in banners and slogans of love for the Prophet, waved Palestinian flags, visibly connecting the event to the ongoing struggles of the Muslim world.

Addressing the massive and enthusiastic crowd, Molla Beşir Şimşek, President of the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation, delivered a stirring speech that resonated deeply with the attendees. Şimşek started by saluting the historical Islamic legacy of Van, a city that has been home to countless scholars and spiritual leaders who contributed greatly to the awakening and preservation of Islamic values throughout centuries.

"When I look at you," Şimşek said, "I remember the great scholars and sheikhs who served Islam in these lands: Bedüzzaman Said Nursi, Sheikh Said Palevi, Ahmed-i Hani, and Sheikh Ziya Hakkâri. These blessed souls planted seeds of faith, sacrifice, and resistance, and today, we see those seeds flourishing in your faces."

Şimşek continued by lamenting the current condition of the Muslim Ummah. "Throughout our long and glorious history," he declared, "the Islamic Ummah and the people of faith have never been subjected to such humiliation and helplessness as we witness today. In Gaza, Syria, Iraq, East Turkistan, and beyond, Muslim blood is shed while the world turns a blind eye."

He emphasized that this downfall is rooted in the abandonment of the prophetic ethics of resistance, sacrifice, and qiyam (standing firm). "The Prophet of Islam was not only a Prophet of Mercy but also a Commander of the battlefields. He fought against injustice with patience and courage. Today, we are suffering because we have turned away from his model of resistance."

Citing the Prophet Muhammad’s resistance against the tyrants of Mecca such as Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab, Şimşek reminded the audience of the hardships he endured: migration, embargoes, hunger, and battles – yet never did he abandon the path of resistance and perseverance.

"Muslim Blood and Honour Are Sacred"

Referring to the incident where a Muslim woman was harassed by the Banu Qaynuqa tribe in Medina, Şimşek recalled how the Prophet expelled the entire tribe to protect Muslim honour. "The lesson we must take," Şimşek stressed, "is that the blood and honour of Muslims are sacred, and any hand that reaches out to harm them must be broken."

He moved on to describe the events following the martyrdom of the Caliph Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), noting how the Prophet’s companions pledged to take action to avenge his death, reaffirming the Islamic principle of standing against injustice.

"Today," Şimşek said sorrowfully, "the silence of Muslim leaders and nations in the face of atrocities committed against our brothers and sisters in Palestine, in Kashmir, and elsewhere, is a betrayal of this prophetic tradition."

Şimşek also reminded the audience of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, explaining how despite making peace with the Quraysh, Muslims did not tolerate attacks on their dignity. "If today we accept humiliation, it is only because we have lost the spirit that once defined us," he said.

Drawing a striking historical parallel, Şimşek spoke of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mu'tasim Billah, who sent an entire army to rescue a single Muslim woman from Byzantine captivity. With visible emotion, Şimşek asked, "Where are today's Mu'tasims? Where are the armies to confront oppressors like Netanyahu and liberate the oppressed Muslims of Gaza?"

"We Will Rise Against Every Form of Oppression"

With the crowd responding emotionally, many with tears in their eyes, Şimşek raised his voice and declared:

"As the Lovers of the Prophet, we cry out from this blessed gathering: No matter where it comes from – be it from Zionist occupiers, tyrannical regimes, or hypocritical rulers – we will rise against every form of oppression!"

Quoting the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), "A Muslim does not oppress his Muslim brother," Şimşek warned against falling into indifference. "Today, the mothers of Gaza are crying. Their children are buried under the rubble. Yet we, blinded by our pursuit of worldly goods, have failed them."

He passionately called upon the Ummah to awaken from its slumber and return to its true mission of upholding justice and dignity. "May Allah awaken us from this heedlessness. May He grant us the courage to stand beside Gaza, beside all the oppressed of the Ummah, and may He not leave the oppressed alone."

The event concluded with powerful hymns, poetry recitations by children, and an emotional collective prayer for the victory of the oppressed across the world. Participants left the square with a renewed sense of spiritual commitment, inspired to carry the legacy of resistance and prophetic guidance into their lives. (ILKHA)