Thousands of people gathered on Sunday in Diyarbakır’s historic Sur district to commemorate the 1386th anniversary of the Islamic conquest of the city.

The event was organized by the Da’wah and Youth Movement in collaboration with the Sahabe Der Association and featured a blend of spiritual observance, historical reflection, and strong messages about faith, resistance, and contemporary Islamic identity.

Held in the courtyard of the iconic Kurşunlu Mosque — a centuries-old monument nestled within the UNESCO-recognized walled city of Diyarbakır — the event attracted religious scholars, community leaders, youth groups, and citizens from across the region.

The program began with the emotional recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Cebrail Dedeoğlu, setting a reverent tone for the evening. This was followed by a keynote address from Ömer Çelik, a prominent religious speaker and a member of the board of the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation, whose speech struck a deep chord with the audience.

Reviving the Spirit of Conquest: A Historical and Spiritual Legacy

In his address, Çelik emphasized that the Islamic notion of conquest is rooted not in imperialism or material gain, but in the spread of justice, mercy, and the teachings of Islam.

“Conquest in Islam is not about occupation,” Çelik declared. “It is about reviving societies, lifting oppression, and bringing light to hearts clouded by tyranny and ignorance.”

Drawing upon the example of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) peaceful and humble entrance into Mecca, Çelik portrayed historical conquests as acts of moral leadership and divine service. He recounted how the Prophet’s Companions, inspired by this ethos, carried the message of Islam from Medina across the Middle East — including to Diyarbakır, Cizre, Urfa, and other parts of what is today southeastern Türkiye — despite immense hardships.

Contemporary Parallels: The Struggle of Gaza as a Modern-Day Resistance

Linking past and present, Çelik compared the perseverance and faith of the early Muslim Companions with the ongoing resilience of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

“We see the same determination, the same unshakeable belief, in Gaza today,” he said. “Just like the handful of believers who stood at Badr and conquered Diyarbakır, a handful of faithful people in Gaza are confronting some of the most powerful regimes and weapons in the world.”

His remarks drew applause from the crowd, many of whom waved Palestinian flags or held banners expressing solidarity with Palestine.

A Message to the Muslim Youth: Preserving the Conquest Spirit

Addressing the younger members of the audience, Çelik warned of a different type of conquest facing Muslims today — not one of military might, but one of ideology and cultural erosion.

“They could not reoccupy Muslim lands by force, but they’ve occupied our hearts and minds,” he said, lamenting that many Muslim youth now emulate Western lifestyles, values, and habits at the cost of their own identity.

He stressed the importance of education, sincerity (ikhlas), unity, and spiritual discipline as tools to reclaim and preserve the moral and intellectual legacy of the Muslim world.

“Victory will always belong to the believers — to those who live and act for Islam,” he affirmed.

Symbolic Reenactment: March to Hazrat Süleyman Mosque

After the speeches and musical performances of Islamic hymns (ilahi) by local vocal artists, a symbolic procession was held. Dressed in traditional garb reminiscent of the Prophet’s Companions and mounted on horses, a group led a torchlit march from Kurşunlu Mosque to the Hazrat Süleyman Mosque, believed to be the burial site of 27 Companions of the Prophet who participated in the early Islamic conquests of Anatolia.

As participants marched through the narrow streets of Sur, chants of “Allahu Akbar” and blessings upon the Prophet echoed through the ancient stone walls. The march concluded with a heartfelt group prayer led by Molla Remzi Uçar, who invoked peace, unity, and divine support for the Muslim ummah.

Conquest and Continuity: A Broader Message

The organizers of the event said the goal was not only to honor a historical moment but to awaken a deeper consciousness among Muslims today.

“This gathering is about reminding ourselves that conquest is not in the past. It is a spiritual struggle we continue every day — in our communities, in our families, in our hearts,” said a representative from Sahaba Der.

While the event reflected strong religious sentiment and historical pride, it also carried an urgent political and social message, echoing ongoing concerns about cultural identity, geopolitical instability, and the perceived marginalization of Muslim voices globally.

A Call for Unity and Responsibility

In concluding his speech, Çelik issued a call to action: “If we do not fulfill our duty to revive our faith and our society, history will hold us accountable. The companions who conquered this land did not do so for fame or fortune, but for Allah. We owe them our sincerity, our effort, and our devotion.”

As the evening came to a close under the glowing lights of torch and minaret, participants expressed hope that the spirit of unity, purpose, and sacrifice symbolized by the conquest of Diyarbakır would inspire a renewed commitment to Islamic values and social responsibility across the region and beyond. (ILKHA)