Islamic civil society representatives have commemorated Yasin Börü and his friends on the 12th anniversary of their deaths during the October 6-8, 2014 violence, recalling that the young volunteers were killed while distributing sacrificial meat to families in need.

Speaking to İLKHA, İbrahim Yaz, deputy chairman of the Martyrs' Caravan Platform, and Cengiz Kurtalan, chairman of Hope Caravan (Umut Kervanı), said the passage of 12 years had not diminished the memory of Börü and his friends.

The October 6-8 violence erupted in southeastern Türkiye in 2014 amid protests linked to the Islamic State's advance on the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured during several days of unrest, according to official figures.

Börü and his friends were among those killed in Diyarbakır. Their deaths have since become a significant symbol for Islamic civil society organizations in the region.

Yaz: “They were killed while helping needy families”

Yaz said Börü and his friends were carrying out charitable work when they were attacked.

“At that time, Yasin Börü and his friends were carrying out sacrificial animal activities and distributing sacrificial meat,” Yaz said.

He alleged that the group was attacked by individuals involved in the October 6-8 violence and described the killings as part of what he characterized as a broader campaign targeting Muslims.

“They targeted these young brothers of ours, threw them from buildings, burned them and ran them over with cars,” Yaz said.

Yaz's comments reflect the perspective of the Martyrs' Caravan Platform regarding the events and their significance for the Muslim community.

Yaz calls for steadfastness in the face of oppression

Yaz said the October 6-8 killings should be remembered alongside what he described as continuing violence and suffering affecting Muslims in different parts of the world.

“If they had drawn the necessary lessons, these oppressions and atrocities against Muslims would not continue today in this region, in this geography — throughout the Islamic world,” he said.

He argued that Muslims should respond to oppression through steadfastness and continued humanitarian and social engagement.

“Against these massacres and atrocities, we as Muslims will always stand upright and continue our struggle,” Yaz said.

“Muslims have never bowed to oppressors. We did not bow yesterday, and with Allah's permission, we will not bow today or tomorrow either.”

Kurtalan: Börü's name has become a symbol of humanitarian work

Kurtalan, whose organization was involved in the charitable activities in which Börü and his friends were participating, said Börü's name has become closely associated with humanitarian assistance.

“Martyr Yasin and his friends set out to deliver a piece of meat to our needy and impoverished families on the path of truth, and they were barbarically martyred,” Kurtalan said.

He said the humanitarian activities associated with Börü's name have continued since his death.

“Martyr Yasin and his friends became martyrs, but today thousands, even tens of thousands of martyr Yasins are delivering sacrificial meat to those in need both in our country and all over the world,” he said.

Kurtalan said Börü's name has also been used for humanitarian projects and other initiatives in Türkiye and abroad.

Hope Caravan says it established aid facilities in Gaza

Kurtalan said Hope Caravan had established a tent settlement in Gaza named after Börü and his friends as part of its humanitarian activities.

“Right now, we have built a tent city in Gaza in the name of Martyr Yasin and his friends,” Kurtalan said.

He said the settlement was providing shelter for families affected by the conflict and that the organization had also established tents that it uses as a hospital and a school.

“We are carrying out activities there in the name of Martyr Yasin and his friends,” he said.

Kurtalan also said the organization continues to distribute sacrificial meat to people in need in different parts of the world in Börü's name.

“They truly became a light in front of us and illuminated the way,” he said.

A legacy remembered through charity

Kurtalan said Börü and his friends should be remembered for the humanitarian work they were carrying out when they were killed.

“They were martyred while struggling on the path of truth and reality and trying to meet people's needs,” he said.

“We will never forget them. God willing, Martyr Yasin and his friends will always be in the field and will deliver sacrificial meat to those in need.”

Twelve years after the October 6-8 violence, Islamic civil society organizations continue to commemorate Börü and his friends through prayers and humanitarian initiatives, portraying their legacy as one of faith, sacrifice and service to people in need. (ILKHA)