The demonstrators, ranging in age from 7 to 70, marched from Millet Park to the garden of Kernek Karagözlüler Mosque, chanting slogans such as “Salute to HAMAS, continue resistance, down with Israel, down with USA.”

The event, organized by the Jerusalem Brotherhood Platform under the slogan “Light a torch for Rafah,” aimed to protest against what they described as the genocide committed by the Zionist regime in the Gaza Strip and Rafah. The program commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran by İsmail Baştürk, Imam Hatibi of Topsöğüt Central Mosque, followed by hymns performed by university student Eyüp Yiğit and Group Harekat, a group of young boys. The cultural segment included a “Dabke” dance performance by Group Resurrection, a traditional dance associated with Palestine.

In a speech, Imam Hatip Ahmet Enfal Metin highlighted the ongoing resistance in Gaza, stating: “As you know, the resistance in Palestine, in Gaza, is completing its eighth month as of tomorrow. Although eight months have passed, praise be to our Lord, the support for Gaza, the love for Gaza, the belief in the victimization of Palestine is growing wave by wave in the eyes of conscientious people in the world. In parallel to this, the hatred, greed and anger against Israel is also increasing day by day. We must make this promise to ourselves. By the permission of Allah, we will not leave the squares not for eight months, not until the war in Gaza is over, no matter how many months pass, but until the evil called Israel is wiped off the face of the earth."

The event concluded with a prayer for Gaza led by Mehmet Karaman. (ILKHA)