Tarawee in Turkie

"In Turkey, after teraweh, children are invited to play with the Imam. So that they are happy to go to the mosque. Even some new mosques in Turkey such as the Hamdi Cami mosque in Ankara have a playground in the mosque in the lower right corner of the stairs. If the mosque does not have a place to play inside, it is prepared outside the mosque like a garden. The mosque became the Center of happy people. They seem to believe in what their predecessor, Sultan AlFatih, commanded that, "Be worried if your mosque no longer hears the voice of a child"

Source: Tarekat TV

Istanbul

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his government's commitment to preserving Istanbul's historical identity, stating that the city would remain Turkish and Muslim “until the end of time.” He criticized those who wrote “oppression began in 1453” on the city’s walls and described them as “Byzantine leftovers.”

 

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan said some critics continue to oppose the historical significance of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul but insisted the city's identity would remain unchanged.

 

Erdogan said the conquest transformed a declining Byzantine city into a thriving Ottoman capital through the efforts of Fatih Sultan Mehmed. He pointed to Hagia Sophia as a lasting symbol of that legacy, emphasizing its reopening for worship and the return of Quran recitations and the call to prayer within the monument.

 

The president also pledged to protect the spirit of the conquest, continue investing in Istanbul and pursue projects he said are worthy of the city. He stressed that Istanbul would remain closely tied to the heritage of Fatih Sultan Mehmed and its historical foundations.

Day of Arafah

 Today is one if the most sacred and significant days for Muslims—the day of Arafah: a day of mercy, a day of forgiveness, a day of sacrifice and charity and a day for hearts to return to Allah.

Today, many will be fasting from sunrise to sunset, while others perform Hajj in scorching heat, standing in prayer and devotion. Tomorrow, many countries will celebrate Eid ul Adha together and for others, Eid will be day after. Eid arrives at a time when Muslim communities across the world are feeling especially vulnerable, fatigued, anxious and heartbroken. With hate crimes on the rise, the continued suffering in Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Congo to name a few alongside the recent bomb blast in Pakistan, all against the backdrop of fragile peace deals, broken ceasefires and growing anti-Muslim sentiment, it has been difficult to hold joy without also holding grief. Oppressors continue to go unchallenged, while those speaking up for justice and humanity are constantly placed under scrutiny. So yes, for many of us, Eid has felt heavy for years now. As we celebrate, it is impossible not to think of those mourning devastating losses of loved ones, homes, safety and peace. Sending prayers and love to everyone celebrating. Wishing you health, safety, peace of mind and comfort.

What is a Arife Day

 In Turkish culture, many people visit cemeteries on the eve of religious holidays, known as "Arife Day" (the day before the holiday). 🌙🤍

Families pray for their deceased loved ones, clean the graves, leave flowers, and read verses from the Quran. This is both a spiritual tradition and a moment of remembrance, respect, and connection across generations. 🕊️

This meaningful tradition reflects the importance of family ties, gratitude, and honoring those who have passed away before the holiday celebrations begin.

Have you ever visited a cemetery the day before a holiday?

 Are there similar traditions in your culture? ✨

#ArifeDay #Holiday #TurkishCulture #HolidayTraditions #Turkey #CulturalHeritage #FamilyTraditions #SpiritualMoments #Respect #Remembrance #IslamicCulture

Israel Fires Military Lawyer

Israel Fires Military Lawyer for Exposing Abuse of Palestinian Detainees

On May 26, 2026, the IDF Chief of Staff formally dismissed former Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.

Her only “crime” was authorizing the leak of a video showing reservist soldiers severely abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman base.

The detainee suffered serious injuries: a perforated intestine, broken ribs, and lung damage.

When the soldiers were detained in 2024, violent protests erupted. Ministers and demonstrators stormed military bases demanding their release.

They defended the soldiers as “heroes” and called any investigation treason.

Despite the evidence, all charges were dropped in March 2026.

Tomer-Yerushalmi was threatened with prison, accused of “blood libel,” and is now officially dismissed. The whistleblower is punished instead of the perpetrators.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, in her March 2026 report Torture and Genocide, documents systematic torture including sexual violence reaching genocidal thresholds.

This aligns with B’Tselem’s Living Hell report (January 2026), which describes Israeli prisons as a network of torture camps with systematic abuse and starvation.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly raised concerns about arbitrary detention and lack of accountability at facilities like Sde Teiman.

Punishing those who expose abuse raises serious concerns under the Convention Against Torture and Geneva Conventions.

References

B’Tselem. (2026). Living Hell: The Israeli prison system as a network of torture camps. 

Albanese, F. (2026). Torture and genocide – Report of the Special Rapporteur (A/HRC/61/71). United Nations Human Rights Council. 

Amnesty International. (2026). Israel/OPT: Decision to drop charges against soldiers accused of abuse of Palestinian detainee disgraceful. 

Human Rights Watch. (2024). Israel: Detainees face inhumane treatment.

Bodies of Children Found With Hands Bound in Gaza Mass Graves

Bodies of Children Found With Hands Bound in Gaza Mass Graves

Palestinian civil defence teams unearthing mass graves at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis have made a discovery that has horrified international observers: among the hundreds of decomposed bodies recovered, rescuers found the remains of children and infants with their hands bound by zip ties. More than 390 bodies were pulled from three separate grave sites within the hospital compound following the withdrawal of Israeli forces in April 2024, with Civil Defence officials reporting gunshot wounds to the head, patients still buried in hospital gowns with IV cannulas in their skin, and signs consistent with field executions. The head of Civil Defence evidence, Dr Muhammad Al-Mughair, confirmed that 78 of the recovered bodies were children.

The Geneva-based Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has documented over 130 mass grave sites across Gaza since October 2023, spanning hospital courtyards, schools, mosques, and residential neighbourhoods. The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk described the findings as "horrifying," calling for independent international investigators to be granted immediate and unimpeded access to all sites. The UN Security Council followed with a formal statement demanding comprehensive, transparent. 

investigations into the circumstances the Council described as potential violations of international law. To date, no independent forensic investigation has been permitted to enter Gaza.