The Prophet's Lovers Foundation (Peygamber Sevdalıları Vakfı) and the Free Jerusalem Platform (Özgür Kudüs Platformu) organized a large-scale rally and delivered a press statement in Diyarbakır in honor of International Quds Day.

The event, held in a central square filled with banners, flags, and chants echoing across the area, brought together Muslims from various regions who gathered to express their spiritual, moral, and political commitment to the liberation of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and to protest the ongoing occupation of Palestine. The statement was delivered by Cemil Cahit Ünsal, General Coordinator of the Orphans Foundation, speaking on behalf of the two organizing bodies.

“Quds Day Is a Day of Awakening and Resistance”

In his opening remarks, Ünsal emphasized the spiritual significance of International Quds Day, stating that it is not just a symbolic commemoration but a day of awakening for the entire Islamic Ummah. “This is not an ordinary day,” Ünsal said. “This is a day when the faithful all over the world come together to declare their loyalty to Jerusalem, their opposition to oppression, and their unwavering hope for justice.”

He continued: “Now is the time to awaken and rise! The Ummah no longer has the luxury of complacency. We cannot remain in a state of heedlessness for even a moment while Al-Quds is under occupation, while innocent blood is shed in Gaza and the West Bank, and while our brothers and sisters cry out for help.”

“Jerusalem Is Not Just a City — It Is the Beating Heart of the Ummah”

Ünsal described Jerusalem in poetic and spiritual terms, calling it “the Sacred City of the Earth” and “the trust of the Prophets.” Quoting the Qur’anic verse:

“Glory be to Him who took His servant by night from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed...” (Al-Isra, 17:1),

He reminded the crowd of the profound Islamic significance of the city. “Jerusalem is where the divine met the human. It is the land where revelation descended, where the footsteps of prophets left their mark, and where the heavens were opened to welcome the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) during the miraculous Night Journey (Isra and Mi’raj).”

He continued as follows: “Jerusalem is not only our first qibla and the home of Masjid al-Aqsa — it is the compass of our conscience and the mirror of our condition as an Ummah. If we defend it, we rise; if we abandon it, we fall.”

“The Zionist Agenda Goes Far Beyond Palestine”

Ünsal issued a stern warning about the broader ambitions of the Zionist movement. “Let it be known clearly,” he said, “that the Zionist Jews, with the full support of the world’s dominant imperial powers—chiefly the United States—have not only set their sights on Jerusalem and Palestine, but have extended their ambitions across the Islamic world.”

He noted that the occupation of Palestine is not an isolated event, but part of a larger geopolitical strategy aimed at dividing and weakening the Muslim world. “The struggle for Jerusalem,” Ünsal declared, “is a struggle for the dignity, unity, and future of the Ummah. It is both a religious obligation and a battle for our very existence.”

“The Al-Aqsa Flood Was a Turning Point in the Resistance”

Highlighting recent developments, Ünsal spoke passionately about the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation, referring to it as a turning point in the Palestinian resistance. “The heroic sons of Palestine have launched a historic uprising against the Zionist regime. This is not just a military struggle; it is a spiritual stand, a declaration of defiance in the face of tyranny.”

He acknowledged the immense sacrifices made by Palestinians — tens of thousands of martyrs, widespread destruction, and the displacement of entire families. “Despite hunger, homelessness, and relentless bombardment, they have remained steadfast. These heroes have made a solemn covenant with Allah: They will not rest until Masjid al-Aqsa is free, until every inch of occupied land is liberated.”

A Call to the Islamic World: “Unite, Rise, Respond!”

Ünsal made a powerful call to the entire Islamic world: “O Muslims! O Islamic Ummah! O believing men and women, young and old! O people of conscience, of dignity and honor! The war for the liberation of Jerusalem has begun. The righteous servants of Allah have taken up the banner of jihad and have entered the battlefield against the Zionist occupiers and their Crusader allies. Will you remain silent? Or will you take your rightful place in this historic struggle?”

He urged leaders, scholars, youth, and communities across the Muslim world to set aside divisions and unite in support of the cause. “The streets of Gaza may be bombed, the children of Rafah may be orphaned, and the walls of Al-Quds may be scarred, but the spirit of resistance is alive — and it calls upon us all.”

He encouraged practical action: “Support the mujahideen with your wealth, your prayers, your voices. Join the boycott campaigns. Speak up in every platform. Raise the banner of justice in your homes, mosques, schools, and streets. Jerusalem needs every one of us.”

Commitment from the Organizers: “We Will Not Retreat”

Ünsal reaffirmed the commitment of the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation and the Free Jerusalem Platform to the cause of Quds. “We pledge,” he said, “to stand with the oppressed of Palestine and the defenders of Masjid al-Aqsa — in every way, on every platform, with our lives and our wealth. We will never retreat, and we will never surrender.”

He emphasized that the cause of Jerusalem is not a fleeting slogan or a seasonal event, but a lifelong commitment and a sacred duty.

Prayers for Victory and a Free Quds

Ünsal concluded the event with heartfelt prayers and hopes for a future in which Jerusalem is once again free. “We congratulate the entire Muslim Ummah on this sacred day of Quds. May Allah allow us to celebrate the next Quds Day in a liberated Jerusalem, in a free Masjid al-Aqsa. May He shower His mercy upon all our brothers and sisters who have struggled and paid the ultimate price for this cause.”

“May Allah count us among His honorable servants who fight for this noble cause — with sincerity, sacrifice, and steadfastness. And may we live to witness the day when justice prevails, when oppression ends, and when the minarets of Al-Aqsa echo with the call to prayer in freedom and peace.” (ILKHA)