Children aged 7-10 filled the streets of Van, Türkiye, for the finale of the “Life is Beautiful with Prayer” program, organized by the Prophet’s Lovers Foundation.

The event, marked by a march from Beşyol Square to Kent Square and a congregational prayer, saw young participants not only celebrating their Islamic education but also voicing unwavering support for their peers suffering under Israeli occupation in Gaza.

Over the past 15 days, the children learned the essentials of ablution, prayer, Qur’anic recitation, and the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The program culminated in a powerful march, with participants wearing skullcaps, carrying prayer rugs, and chanting takbir and the shahada. At Kent Square, they prayed together, dedicating their supplications to the children of Gaza facing relentless violence.

Azra Nursoylu, a young participant, expressed her longing for justice: “Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are dying in Gaza. They can’t pray or go to school like us. We must pray for them after every prayer and protest for their cause. I hope we can pray together in Jerusalem one day.”

Hanzala Yasin Demir shared: “We marched, chanted, and prayed, but we’re sad for Gaza’s children who face bombs. We pray for their victory and dream of praying with them in Jerusalem.” His words reflected the children’s awareness of the stark contrast between their safety and the daily horrors endured by Gazan youth.

Sara Esma Şakar, wearing a “Palestine” necklace, emphasized the spiritual and moral duty of prayer: “Prayer is the pillar of our religion. If we pray, we can earn paradise—and we must pray for Palestine.” Meanwhile, Asmin Nur Söner noted, “Gazan children wake up to bombs, not prayers. We prayed for them today.”

The Prophet’s Lovers Foundation highlighted the program’s aim to foster both religious devotion and a sense of responsibility toward the global Muslim community. For these children, Palestine is not a distant issue but a deeply personal cause, intertwined with their faith. Harun Koç, another participant, expressed gratitude for learning the pillars of prayer and ablution, adding, “It was an exciting day, but we never forget Gaza.”

The march and prayers in Van symbolized a growing consciousness among Muslim youth worldwide, from Türkiye to beyond, who see Gaza’s struggle as inseparable from their own. As the children dispersed, their shared dream lingered: to one day pray side by side with Gaza’s children in a liberated Jerusalem, from Van’s Kent Square to Al-Aqsa Mosque. (ILKHA)