The International Palestine Convoy, which set out from Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on a journey toward Palestine, has reached Mardin, where it was welcomed by hundreds of people at a rally in support of the Palestinian people and Gaza.

The convoy, which brings together more than 500 activists from 20 countries, has traveled through several Turkish cities, including Edirne, Istanbul, Sakarya, Ankara, Adana, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Diyarbakır, before arriving in Mardin.

Hundreds of residents gathered at 15 July Park in the central Artuklu district to welcome the convoy and express solidarity with Palestine.

The rally opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran and continued with hymns and speeches highlighting the Palestinian cause. Participants also repeatedly chanted takbirs and slogans in support of Palestine and Gaza.

Addressing the gathering, Hakan Şimşek, a member of the board of the Palestine Land Convoy, described the initiative as a shared mission for everyone who stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“Our path and our faith are one; we are a whole. We are part of humanity and the Islamic ummah,” Şimşek said, emphasizing that the convoy was once again sending a message from Mardin to the world that its participants stand with Palestine and Gaza.

He stressed that the mission extends far beyond those physically traveling with the convoy. People supporting the Palestinian cause through social media, public rallies, boycott campaigns, prayers and other forms of peaceful solidarity are also part of the initiative, he said.

Şimşek thanked supporters along the convoy’s route, saying their unity, prayers and solidarity had played a crucial role in amplifying the convoy’s message.

Şimşek emphasized that the convoy is made up of ordinary people from a wide range of backgrounds, including doctors, workers, teachers, students, civil servants, women, men, young people and the elderly.

“Our convoy consists of people from every walk of life,” he said, adding that “its only concern is Palestine and Gaza” and that its broader concern is humanity.

He described the convoy as a reflection of a shared conscience and a collective response by people who refuse to remain silent in the face of the suffering of Palestinians.

“With God’s permission and by working together, we will reach our goal,” Şimşek said.

Şimşek also underlined that the convoy’s mission goes beyond delivering material assistance.

“The burden of the Palestine Convoy is much heavier than the material aid it carries,” he said, explaining that the participants are carrying the greetings, prayers and hopes of supporters from the cities and communities they have visited.

He said the convoy had also received messages from people in Gaza, adding that the eyes of Palestinians suffering under the ongoing crisis were on the people of Anatolia.

Şimşek called for continued solidarity and collective action, arguing that sustained public support is essential to keeping the Palestinian cause at the forefront of international attention.

Süheyl Hijar, a Tunisian activist taking part in the convoy, praised the people of Mardin for their support for Palestine.

“You are the pulse and the awakened conscience of humanity in this age when humanity is dying and consciences have fallen silent,” Hijar said.

He acknowledged that the number of people involved in the convoy may appear small compared with the scale of the global community, but expressed confidence that continued perseverance and solidarity would ultimately contribute to Palestine’s freedom.

Hijar also highlighted the importance of boycott campaigns, describing them as one of the strongest peaceful tools available to those supporting the Palestinian cause.

He concluded by sending greetings and prayers to Gaza, Palestinians resisting the occupation and all those standing in solidarity with the struggle for freedom.

Mikail Abdullah, who joined the convoy from Chad, also delivered a message of solidarity with Palestine.

“I joined the Palestine Convoy from Chad. We are always with the Palestinian people,” Abdullah said, stressing that supporters would continue standing with Palestinians until they achieve freedom.

He conveyed greetings from the people of Africa and prayed for the Palestinian people to attain freedom soon.

The Mardin gathering concluded with a prayer delivered in Arabic, Turkish and Kurdish by Fesih Memiş, president of the Prophet Lovers Mardin Association.

The convoy’s arrival in Mardin marked another significant stop on its journey from Europe toward Palestine. Along the route, the initiative has brought together activists from different countries with local communities to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and keep the humanitarian crisis in Gaza in the international spotlight.

Organizers said the convoy would continue its journey, carrying humanitarian assistance as well as the prayers, hopes and messages of solidarity from thousands of supporters. (ILKHA)