The event, attended by hundreds, aimed to protest the ongoing violence in Gaza and call attention to the loss of life and destruction amid the Israeli offensive. Through banners and chanting, participants expressed their support for the Palestinian people and condemned the "genocide" and "massacres" by the Israeli forces in Gaza.

At the rally, Hüseyin Tekdağ, Vice President of the Prophet Lovers Association, delivered a press statement that emphasized the rally's broader message. Tekdağ framed the Gaza crisis as a "war of faith and disbelief, the struggle of right and wrong," casting the conflict as a religious and moral battle for Muslims globally. He underscored the suffering of Gazan children, who live each day amidst “the sounds of bombardment, screams, hunger, and thirst.”

Tekdağ urged the crowd to increase awareness of the plight of Gazans through social media, organizing boycotts, and advocating internationally. He contended that American and European states’ open support for Israel only exacerbates the suffering of Palestinians. “This war is not just a regional struggle,” he argued, “but a test of faith and conviction.”

Tekdağ’s remarks went beyond Gaza, referencing prominent martyred leaders in Palestinian and regional resistance movements, including Yahya Sinwar, Hassan Nasrallah, and others. He spoke of these leaders with reverence, calling them symbols of resistance who inspire with their "sacrifice and steadfastness." In particular, Tekdağ lauded Yahya Sinwar, likening him to “the Moses of our age” and describing his steadfastness in the face of Israeli oppression.

Tekdağ called for unity among Islamic nations and emphasized that Muslim communities should rally against what they see as a unified Zionist-American front. According to Tekdağ, this unified stance is essential not only for the liberation of Palestine but also for the broader stability and dignity of Islamic societies worldwide.

“Humanity must unite to punish Zionist-US cooperation,” he concluded, urging the global public to hold Israel and its allies accountable for the humanitarian crises in Gaza. Tekdağ argued that the ongoing siege of the Jibaliya region in northern Gaza, alongside daily airstrikes targeting civilians, is creating a dire humanitarian situation that requires international intervention.

The Bursa rally, one of many pro-Palestine demonstrations worldwide, served as a powerful reminder of the widespread support for Gaza in Türkiye and the wider region. (ILKHA)