Thousands of NGO members, Palestinian volunteers, and supporters gathered in Istanbul on Sunday to express solidarity with the people of Gaza and denounce ongoing Israeli genocide.

Responding to a call by Hamas and organized by the Islamic Solidarity Platform, demonstrators gathered at Beşiktaş Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha Mosque following noon prayer, before marching en masse to the Israeli consulate with chants of “Allahu Akbar” and “Down with Zionism.” Participants carried Palestinian flags, posters of martyred children, and banners demanding an end to the siege and slaughter of Gaza.

The rally opened with a moving recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Ebuzer Seven, followed by speeches from prominent leaders of the resistance and Islamic scholars.

"Zionist Crimes Supported by Global Imperialism"

Özgür-Der President Rıdvan Kaya condemned the Zionist regime's campaign of terror and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, now in its 18th month, highlighting the full complicity of the United States and other imperialist powers. “The ceasefire exposed not only the Zionist entity’s brutality but also its weakness. The mujahideen of Izz ad-Din al-Qassam have terrified them with their resilience and faith,” Kaya said.

He described how Israeli forces broke the ceasefire during Ramadan and intensified their targeting of civilians—bombing hospitals, schools, and refugee camps, and even executing medics from the Palestinian Red Crescent. “These are not random attacks. They are systematic attempts to erase the people of Gaza from existence, while so-called ‘democracies’ in the West offer full support,” he added.

"Muslims Will Never Abandon Gaza"

Kaya reaffirmed the unshakeable solidarity of Turkish Muslims with the people of Gaza. “Even if Gaza is reduced to rubble and every soul is martyred, we will never abandon it. Gaza is the frontline of Islamic dignity. Hamas and the Qassam fighters are the pride of our Ummah,” he declared, as chants of “Free Palestine!” rang out from the crowd.

He warned of ongoing efforts by Zionist-backed regimes and collaborators to discredit the resistance and sow doubt among Muslims. “They try to portray Hamas as a threat, not to Israel—but to us. They try to convince the world that Gaza must be emptied, that resistance is futile. We say: No! Resistance is not only just—it is sacred!”

Resistance as a Moral Obligation

Activist Hüseyin Çolakoğlu emphasized that every protest, every boycott, and every act of defiance matters. “Our march today is a step toward a greater struggle,” he said. Drawing inspiration from the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Çolakoğlu declared, “We are waiting for our turn. The real battle—Jerusalem, Gaza, Palestine—is coming, and we will not be absent from it.”

He also stressed the importance of continuing the boycott against companies supporting the Zionist occupation. “Some mocked the boycott. Now, even politicians are being forced to respond. We will never fund genocide with our wallets. The boycott is our economic intifada.”

“Gaza is Our Home, and We Will Defend It”

Dr. Nawwaf Takruri, head of the Palestinian Union of Scholars, spoke passionately about the global significance of the Gaza struggle. “Your presence here shakes the enemy. The Zionists fear your unity and your voice. When the Ummah stands up—when Africa, Asia, and Europe rise together—they tremble,” he said.

He affirmed that the scholars, leaders, and masses of the Ummah must rise together and lead until the liberation of al-Quds. “We will never accept silence while our sisters carry the bodies of their martyred children. We will not be complicit by remaining neutral. Dignity in the face of tyranny is our path, and the so-called ‘great powers’ will collapse under the weight of their crimes.”

Continued Struggle Until Liberation

As the demonstration concluded, protestors pledged to keep the resistance alive in every city and street of Türkiye. “We are all Gaza,” they chanted. “From Istanbul to Rafah, from Ankara to al-Quds—one Ummah, one cause!”

Organizers declared that weekly actions will continue across the country and called for greater coordination with resistance movements throughout the Muslim world. They emphasized that the struggle is not just for Gaza—it is for justice, dignity, and the very soul of the Ummah.

This mass rally was not simply a protest—it was a declaration that the Muslim world stands with Gaza and that the Zionist regime’s attempts to silence the oppressed will only strengthen global resistance. (ILKHA)