Thousands gather to commemorate Susa Mosque martyrs in Diyarbakır

The massacre, which took place during a night of prayer in Susa neighborhood on June 26, 1992, remains a poignant reminder of the brutality faced by Kurdish Muslims in southeastern Türkiye during 1990s.

The event, organized by Susa-Der, saw a large turnout of citizens gathering to honor the martyrs, whose posters, along with those of other Islamic martyrs, adorned the area. Visitors to the commemoration were visibly moved as they read about the lives and sacrifices of the martyrs. The atmosphere was one of deep reflection and respect.

The commemoration program began after the afternoon prayer with the recitation of the Holy Quran, setting a solemn tone for the event. Voice artists performed hymns composed in memory of the martyrs, their melodic voices resonating with the gathered crowd and enhancing the sense of reverence.

Mullah Beşir Varol, a prominent member of ITTIHADUL ULEMA, delivered a powerful speech, imparting important messages to the audience. "Allah has made the life of this world a testing place," Varol began, emphasizing the transient nature of worldly life and the eternal consequences of one's actions. He reminded the attendees that the world is a place of trials, and the hereafter is where rewards or punishments are meted out based on one's deeds.

Varol highlighted the obligatory nature of jihad against unbelievers, asserting that true believers use their will in favor of good, contrasting them with those who choose disbelief and deviance. "Some people believe in their Lord and use their will in favor of good, while others use their will in favor of disbelief and a deviant path," he said. "In this way, people have become two classes: Muslims and disbelievers. The Muslims have surrendered to Allah, while the disbelievers have opposed His orders."

He continued: "The disbelievers, not satisfied with their own disbelief, become devils who try to drag others into disbelief. They even use force to turn people away from the path of Allah. Therefore, Allah has made it obligatory for the believers to wage jihad against the disbelievers so that they can live their religion comfortably."

The theme of righteous struggle was central to Varol's address. "Praise be to Allah that we took sides with Abel, not with Cain. Praise be to Allah that we took sides with the Prophets, not with Pharaoh and Nimrod. Praise be to Allah that we took sides on the side of the Companions, not on the side of Abu Jahl and Abu Lahab. Praise be to Allah that we took sides with the awliya, not with the enemies of Allah. Praise be to Allah that we took sides in favor of Islam. Praise be to Allah that we took sides with the martyrs of Islam, not with the traitors. This is a great blessing."

Varol stressed the perpetual nature of the struggle between right and wrong. "As long as the world exists, there will be a struggle between right and wrong. As long as the world exists, there will be murderers, martyrs, and oppressed people. Greetings to all Islamic martyrs, especially in Gaza. This struggle will not stop. There will always be Islamic heroes. There will always be those who will sacrifice their lives and property for Islam. Islam and blasphemy will exist until doomsday."

He emphasized the significance of the mosque in Islam, reminding the audience that it is a central place for Muslims. "Islam is a mosque-centered religion," Varol said. "The Messenger of Allah never left the mosque. He did not stay without a mosque even for a day. Caliph Umar and Caliph Ali were martyred in the mosque. Susa martyrs were also martyred for the mosque. If we are going after our Prophet, Companions, and martyrs, we should never leave the mosque. The mosque is the house of Allah. Those who turn away from the house of Allah will not see good in their lives. For this reason, the mosque is very sacred."

The commemoration program concluded with prayers for the martyrs and a reaffirmation of the community's commitment to their legacy. The event served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the martyrs of Susa Mosque and the ongoing struggle for justice and faith. (ILKHA)