Thousands of residents of Diyarbakır gathered in Sheikh Said Square, located in the heart of the Sur district, to heed the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades’ heartfelt call for the Islamic Ummah to unite in prayer against the relentless genocide and oppression inflicted by Israeli regime in Gaza.

Under the banner “Prayer for Relief for the People of Gaza,” the event, organized by the Union of Scholars and Madrasahs (ITTIHADUL ULEMA), saw Muslims of all ages come together on Thursday night, raising their hands in supplication for their Palestinian brothers and sisters enduring unimaginable suffering.

The gathering began with the Isha (night) prayer, performed congregationally under the leadership of Molla Abdulkuddüs Yalçın, a prominent member of ITTIHADUL ULEMA’s Executive Board. The solemn atmosphere was charged with a sense of shared purpose as attendees prepared to fulfill their spiritual duty to support Gaza in its darkest hour. Following the prayer, Molla Bedirhan Akgül, another respected scholar from ITTIHADUL ULEMA, delivered a stirring speech that underscored the moral and religious imperative of standing with the Palestinian people against the brutal aggression of the Israeli occupation.

“For over two years, Gaza has been subjected to a merciless massacre,” Akgül declared, his voice resonating with urgency. “Our brothers and sisters face unimaginable horrors—children torn apart, mothers left homeless, and entire families wiped out by the Zionist regime’s campaign of genocide, starvation, and forced displacement. Words, speeches, and slogans have lost their weight in the face of such atrocities. Our mujahid brothers in the Qassam Brigades have called upon the Ummah of Muhammad to turn to Allah, the Most Merciful, and raise our hands in prayer tonight for Gaza’s salvation.”

Akgül emphasized the transformative power of dua (supplication), drawing inspiration from the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He recounted the story of the Prophet’s Companions, who wept when unable to join the battle, earning Allah’s mercy through their sincerity. “We may lack tanks, cannons, or armies, but we are not powerless,” he said. “Our tears and prayers can move mountains. If we cry out to Allah tonight, as our brothers in Gaza have asked, these supplications may become a means of salvation for us all in the sight of our Lord.”

Quoting the Qur’an, Akgül reminded the gathering of Allah’s promise: “When My servants ask you about Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me” (Qur’an 2:186). He urged the Ummah to emulate the Prophet’s intense supplications during the Battle of Badr, when divine intervention brought angels to aid the believers. “If the entire Ummah raises its hands to the heavens tonight, Allah’s mercy is boundless, His forgiveness abundant, and His victory near. Allah is the One who makes the impossible possible. He can liberate Gaza from this darkness, provided we remain steadfast and sincere in our prayers,” he affirmed.

Akgül stressed that prayer is not a one-time act but a continuous commitment. “We must never lose hope in Allah’s mercy,” he said. “If we, as the Ummah of Muhammad, remember our brothers and sisters in Gaza after every prayer, I firmly believe Allah will answer our supplications. He will deliver the oppressed children, grieving mothers, and helpless elderly of Gaza from this brutality.” He highlighted the Qur’an’s emphasis on the power of prayer, citing verses such as, “Say, O Messenger, were it not for your prayers, what importance would my Lord attach to you?” (Qur’an 25:77). “Our worth in Allah’s sight is tied to our prayers,” Akgül declared. “Prayer saves us first, then those we pray for.”

The scholar also called for practical action to complement spiritual efforts. He urged the community to maintain the boycott of Israeli products, emphasizing its role as a powerful tool of resistance. “Like the ant in the story of Prophet Sulaiman, let us show where we stand,” he said, referencing the Qur’anic tale of an ant’s small but meaningful contribution. Akgül also voiced strong support for the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian flotilla aimed at breaking the suffocating Israeli blockade on Gaza. “We must support this noble effort with our prayers, our voices, and every resource at our disposal,” he urged, calling for both spiritual and material solidarity with Palestine.

The event culminated in an emotional “Prayer for Relief for the People of Gaza,” led by Molla Abdulkuddüs Yalçın. As attendees raised their hands in unison, their heartfelt supplications echoed through Sheikh Said Square, a powerful testament to the Ummah’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause. The gathering was not only a response to the Qassam Brigades’ call but also a reflection of Diyarbakır’s deep-rooted solidarity with Gaza, where the Palestinian people continue their heroic resistance against the Israeli regime’s relentless aggression.

The event underscored the broader struggle of the Islamic Ummah to counter the Israeli occupation’s atrocities, which have claimed countless lives and displaced millions in Gaza over the past two years. By answering the call to prayer, Diyarbakır’s residents reaffirmed their role in the global movement for justice, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Palestine in its fight for liberation and dignity. As the night concluded, the message was clear: through prayer, boycott, and support for initiatives like the Global Sumud Flotilla, the Ummah remains united in its resolve to see Gaza free from oppression. (ILKHA)