A solemn and emotional ceremony was held in the Yolaç (Susa) neighborhood of Diyarbakır’s Silvan district to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Susa Massacre, where 10 devout Kurdish Muslims were brutally martyred by PKK militants on June 26, 1992.

The massacre, which occurred inside a mosque, remains a deep wound for the community, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to preserve Islamic identity and faith in the region.

Organized by Susa-Der, the commemoration brought together victims’ families, local residents, religious leaders, and community organizations. Participants gathered at the Susa Martyrdom cemetery, where the martyrs are buried, and visited the mosque where the tragedy unfolded. The event was not only a tribute to the fallen but also a powerful reaffirmation of their cause and the values for which they gave their lives.

The ceremony began after the afternoon prayer with a moving recitation of the Holy Quran by Umeyr Kavut, setting a reflective and reverent tone. Artists from the Özlem Agency performed spiritual hymns and melodies, capturing the community’s deep sorrow and enduring resilience.

A central part of the program involved reading the biographies of the 33 martyrs buried in the Susa Martyrdom, offering insight into their devotion, sacrifice, and lasting impact. The event served as both a remembrance of the past and a call to action for the present and future.

In a heartfelt speech, respected Islamic scholar Molla Recai Güler delivered a stirring message about preserving the martyrs’ legacy. He described the Susa martyrs as shining examples of dedication to the Islamic cause, drawing parallels with the revered martyrs of the Battle of Uhud. “They could have chosen a comfortable life like many others, but instead they devoted themselves to the cause of Allah,” Güler said. “Their purpose was not personal gain but to ensure that Allah’s name would be revered in this region.”

Güler emphasized that the martyrs’ sacrifices were instrumental in the spiritual awakening of the region, paving the way for the establishment of madrasahs and the spread of Islamic teachings. “The blood of our martyrs nourishes the soil of this land, fueling our commitment to justice, faith, and truth,” he declared.

Güler issued a sobering challenge to the current generation, urging them to reflect on how well they uphold the values for which the martyrs died. “How many of us send our children to the mosques where blood was shed for Allah’s name? How can we live in comfort while our martyrs gave everything? If we truly value their sacrifice, we must carry their cause to the streets, schools, villages, and beyond,” he said.

He warned against complacency, reminding the audience that the enemies of Islam continue to attack religious institutions and values under the guise of ideological battles—communism, socialism, or so-called freedom. “They shed our blood in mosques because they feared the truth. It is our duty to ensure the martyrs’ voices continue to resonate.”

In his closing remarks, Güler connected the martyrs’ cause to the broader struggles of Muslims worldwide. He asserted that embracing the legacy of the Susa martyrs could foster unity within the Muslim ummah, from Gaza to Arakan, Yemen, and other oppressed regions. “Their struggle was for all Muslims. Their dream was a world where Allah’s name is revered, justice prevails, and Muslims stand united,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with collective prayers, Quranic recitations, and moments of silence. Attendees pledged to keep the martyrs’ memory alive and to continue their mission of spreading faith, knowledge, and unity.

As the sun set over Silvan, the community left the site of the massacre with heavy hearts but renewed determination, resolved to honor the martyrs not only with words but with meaningful action.

What was the Susa Massacre?

The Susa Massacre, also referred to as the Susa Mosque Massacre, occurred on June 26, 1992, in the Yolaç (Susa) village of Silvan district, Diyarbakır, Türkiye. It is remembered as one of the most brutal attacks perpetrated by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) against Kurdish Muslims in the region, targeting worshippers in a mosque during a time of prayer.

The attack took place on the evening of June 26, 1992, in the mosque of Susa (Yolaç) village, a small community of approximately 90 households located 80 kilometers from Diyarbakır and 5 kilometers from Silvan. The village was known for its strong religious identity and resistance to non-Islamic ideologies.

Incident: After the Maghrib (evening) prayer, a group of 15 worshippers gathered in the mosque awaiting the Isha (night) prayer. PKK militants, disguised in military uniforms, surrounded the mosque. The worshippers mistook the sound of footsteps for animals, unaware of the impending attack. The militants stormed the mosque, forcibly removed the congregation, bound their hands under the pretext of a search, and insulted their religious values, reportedly taunting them with phrases like, “Call upon Allah to come and save you!” They then lined up the worshippers in the mosque courtyard and opened fire with long-barreled weapons.

Ten Kurdish Muslims were killed, including two children, and five others were injured. The victims included:

-Zeki Fidancı (12 years old)

-Medeni Fidancı (18)

-Mehmet Meki Fidancı (19)

-Mehmet Sait Fidancı (28)

-Muhammed Emin Kantar (15)

-Adnan Kantar (20)

-Ahmet Kantar (48)

-Mehmet Ali Uslu (26)

-Hüseyin Çetinkaya (30)

-Abdulhaluk Ugas (37, the village imam)

The massacre was part of a broader pattern of PKK violence in the 1990s, particularly targeting devout Muslims and those who opposed their ideology. Susa village’s commitment to Islamic principles made it a target, as the PKK sought to suppress religious influence in the region, which they viewed as a challenge to their secular, Marxist-Leninist agenda. The attack was described as an act of hostility toward Islam, reflecting intolerance of religious sanctity and hatred toward devout Muslims.

The Susa Massacre left a lasting scar on the community, with families and survivors continuing to grieve the loss decades later. The attack was noted as a significant event in the history of PKK violence, marking one of the first instances of a mosque being targeted in such a manner in the Kurdistan region. The brutality of the massacre, carried out during a sacred time of worship, underscored the PKK’s targeting of religious Kurds who resisted their influence. (ILKHA)