A large rally was organized in Adana on Friday by the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation, along with several other organizations, to condemn the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The demonstration, held at 5 January Square in front of Kemeraltı Mosque, drew a large crowd of supporters following Friday prayers.

The event was attended by members of prominent local organizations, including Mustazaflar Community, the Hope Caravan Association, MEKTEB, and HÜDA PAR, with the party’s Adana Provincial Chairman Salih Demir also present. The rally commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Fethullah Beyazçiçek, setting a solemn tone for the proceedings.

One of the key speakers at the event was Metin Yıldırım, a veteran of the Mavi Marmara flotilla, who was injured by Israeli soldiers during the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla incident. Yıldırım’s speech resonated deeply with the audience as he reflected on the ongoing persecution of Muslims and the trials they continue to face globally.

In his address, Yıldırım emphasized the urgent need for Muslim unity, quoting from the Holy Quran: "O you who believe, look to yourselves; if you are on the right path, the deviant cannot harm you." He lamented that, despite this teaching, Muslims have been harmed and divided for years. "The bonds between us have been broken, and we have become ineffective in this multiplicity," Yıldırım stated, urging the crowd to restore their unity and solidarity to achieve success against oppression.

Yıldırım criticized the international community's silence and the Muslim world’s lack of a coordinated response to the suffering in Gaza. "I have never seen such an example of oppression in history," he said, highlighting the severe and indiscriminate nature of Israeli attacks on Palestinians, including women and children. Yıldırım called for self-reflection, urging Muslims to examine their own actions and motivations in the face of these ongoing challenges. "We need to review ourselves," he insisted, noting that the love for worldly gains often leaves the community weak and divided.

Following Yıldırım’s speech, Orhan Erkuş, one of the Adana Coordinators of the Prophet Lovers Foundation, delivered a strongly worded press statement on behalf of the rally organizers. Erkuş condemned the actions of the Israeli occupation regime, accusing it of expanding genocide in Palestine with the support of the United States.

"We send our greetings to the martyrs and heroes of resistance in Palestine," Erkuş began, acknowledging the sacrifices made by Palestinians in their struggle against occupation. He described the situation in Palestine as a U.S.-backed genocide that extends beyond Gaza to other parts of the region, including the West Bank, Lebanon, and Yemen. Erkuş warned that the U.S. is actively increasing tensions in the Middle East, pointing to recent events as evidence of a broader strategy to destabilize the region.

Erkuş highlighted the recent assassinations of key figures such as Fouad Shukour in Lebanon and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran as clear signs that the U.S. and Israel are preparing for a larger conflict. He asserted that these assassinations were deliberate moves to derail ceasefire talks and provoke a wider war in the Middle East.

"The occupation regime and the U.S. are preparing for a big war," Erkuş declared, urging the countries in the region to be on high alert. He pointed to the military buildup by the Israeli regime in the Mediterranean and other seas, interpreting it as preparation for a large-scale attack not just against Palestine but the entire Islamic geography. "This situation shows that the military tension in the region has increased and new attack plans have been put into action," Erkuş warned.

In his concluding remarks, Erkuş expressed confidence in the new Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, praising his leadership as a significant asset to the resistance movement. "Sinwar’s leadership will further shake the occupiers and contribute to the strengthening of the resistance," Erkuş said, highlighting Sinwar’s history of struggle as a source of strength for the Palestinian cause.

Erkuş emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive support to resistance groups, including military, economic, and political backing. He concluded by reminding the audience that the success of the resistance is ultimately in the hands of Allah, saying: "The success of the resistance will be possible with the mercy and blessings of Allah. May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon all the believers and resistance fighters."

The rally in Adana was a clear demonstration of the deep concern and solidarity felt by many in Turkey for the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. The messages delivered by speakers like Metin Yıldırım and Orhan Erkuş underscored the importance of unity among Muslims and the need for a coordinated response to the ongoing conflict. As tensions continue to rise in the region, the rally served as a reminder of the critical role that public support and international solidarity play in the broader struggle for justice and peace in Palestine. (ILKHA)