Hundreds of children took part in the “Life Is Beautiful with Prayer” event organized by the Prophet Lovers Association in Siirt, highlighting the importance of prayer and encourage children to make worship and mosque life a regular part of their lives.

The event marked the conclusion of the association’s annual “Life Is Beautiful with Prayer” initiative, which aims to teach children how to pray while helping them develop spiritual awareness, moral values and a lasting connection with the mosque.

During the march, children chanted slogans including “Prayer is the pillar of the religion,” “My prayer and my supplication are only for Allah,” and “Life is beautiful with prayer.”

Following the march, a program was held at Fethi Serin Mosque, where speakers addressed the importance of prayer in children's lives, the role of families in religious upbringing and the need to nurture moral and spiritual values from an early age.

Orhan Ay, president of the Siirt Prophet Lovers Association, said hundreds of children had received prayer training through the initiative this year.

“Every year, within the scope of the ‘Life Is Beautiful with Prayer’ project, we teach prayer to hundreds of children,” Ay said. “We want our children to become familiar with the mosque, to make going to and from the mosque a habit, and for the mosque to become a part of their lives.”

Ay stressed that the program was intended to go beyond teaching the practical aspects of prayer, saying the association also sought to help children grow up with love of Allah, good morals and strong spiritual values.

He said prayer education could contribute to children's character development and help them become individuals who embody moral values in society.

Ay also highlighted the important role families play in helping children establish regular prayer and mosque-going habits.

Thanking the teachers who contributed to the program and the families who supported their children, he encouraged parents to take an active role in their children's religious education.

“Let them take care of them so that they become individuals who perform their prayers continuously and regularly, and let them make them love prayer,” Ay said, also encouraging families to attend the mosque together with their children whenever possible.

Muhammed Aygan, imam-hatip of Fethi Serin Mosque, praised the children for their behavior and discipline during the event and encouraged them to show respect toward their parents.

Aygan also drew attention to the situation in Gaza, describing it as a “bleeding wound” for Muslims, and urged the children to remember Palestinians in their prayers.

“Let us never forget them. Every time we perform prayer, let us pray for them,” he said, calling on the children to pray for relief and peace for the people of Gaza.

The program continued with the recitation of religious hymns, followed by collective prayer with the children.

At the end of the event, prayer certificates were presented to the children who participated in the “Life Is Beautiful with Prayer” initiative.

The event concluded with messages emphasizing the importance of prayer, mosque life, family, good character and spiritual values in children's upbringing, as well as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (ILKHA)