Thousands march in Diyarbakır to call for immediate cease-fire in Gaza

The event, held under the banner "Stop the Genocide in Gaza," drew a large crowd of concerned citizens who gathered in front of the Marriage Department in the central Kayapınar district before embarking on a symbolic march towards the 15 July Martyrs Park area.

Amidst chants of solidarity and calls for justice, the residents of Diyarbakır demonstrated their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause as they marched through the streets of the city. Banners bearing powerful messages of solidarity and condemnation of the ongoing violence in Gaza adorned the procession, serving as poignant symbols of resistance against oppression.

Upon reaching the 15 July Martyrs Park, the atmosphere was charged with emotion as Dr. Ahmet Kamacı addressed the crowd directly, his voice ringing out with passion and conviction. "Today, we stand here not only as citizens of Diyarbakır, but as advocates for justice and defenders of the oppressed," he declared. "Our presence here sends a powerful message to the world: that we will not remain silent in the face of injustice and brutality."

Following Dr. Kamacı's stirring speech, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fikret Özçelik, President of the Davet and Brotherhood Foundation, stepped forward to read out a powerful press statement prepared for the occasion. "The atrocities being committed against the Palestinian people demand our immediate attention and action," Özçelik declared, his voice resonating with determination. "We cannot stand idly by while innocent lives are lost and communities are destroyed."

Özçelik went on to emphasize the urgent need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, particularly in light of the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. "Our duty as human beings and as Muslims is clear," he asserted. "We must do everything in our power to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza and to hold those responsible for their plight to account."

The statement transcended mere condemnation, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the Islamic world to actively resist the Israeli occupation. Dr. Özçelik stressed the importance of concrete actions, urging the immediate opening of the Rafah border crossing for unhindered flow of humanitarian aid and calling upon Islamic leaders, particularly those in Turkey, to break free from their passive stance and adopt a more robust approach to protect innocent lives.

The statement went beyond rhetoric, demanding real action from Islamic nations. It pointed out the stark reality of 57 Islamic countries being unable to deliver aid through the Rafah crossing, highlighting the collective failure and urging immediate steps to rectify this. The call for military intervention, while acknowledged as unlikely, underscored the desperate need for any form of effective action to safeguard the Palestinians.

The message from Diyarbakır resonated beyond the immediate crisis in Gaza. Dr. Özçelik's powerful words served as a stark reminder that the suffering in Gaza is a symptom of a larger malaise, urging the Islamic world to introspect and collectively confront the forces of oppression and injustice not just in Palestine, but across the globe.

The "Diyarbakır Walks for Gaza" event transcended geographical boundaries, sending a powerful message of solidarity with the Palestinian people and demanding accountability from the Islamic world. The event serves as a stark reminder of the collective responsibility to uphold human rights and fight against oppression, urging a united front to alleviate the suffering in Gaza and beyond. (ILKHA)