the event, structured around a solidarity breakfast and a public fundraising campaign in support of Iran, brought together 14 youth organizations in a meaningful demonstration of cohesion.
Participating organizations included the Genç Umutlar Education and Culture Association, the Mektebi Content Center, the Huda Ahl al-Bayt Youth Circle, the Awareness Platform, the Muhammad Al-Mustafa Association, the Youth of Hazrat Abu Talib Mosque, Nurul Islam, Penah Tour, Palmiye Publishing, the Mektep Compass, the Kawthar Women’s Branch, Tükenmez Youth, Hel Eta 313, and the Turkish Ahl al-Bayt Youth.
The program commenced with a Quran recitation by Oğuzhan Uluç, followed by remarks from Zeynep Utay, speaking on behalf of the organizers. She welcomed attendees and stressed the importance of youth solidarity, describing it as “the finest example of moving toward a shared objective.”
The program’s host, Taner Korhan, underscored the necessity of backing the younger generation, urging that “these youth must be supported, and their voices must be amplified across all media outlets and television networks.”
Iran’s Consul General in Istanbul, Ahmad Mohammadi, was in attendance. Visibly moved during segments of the ceremony that commemorated the martyrs of Minab School, he declared that “With all its martyrs, Iran has rubbed the noses of the modern-day Pharaohs in the dirt.”
Noureddine Shirin, Director of Al-Quds Channel, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of taking a principled stance. “The issue is about choosing a side and taking a position,” he stated, commending the youth for their approach.
The proceedings continued with a closing prayer recited by Izzat Jaf, followed by two religious anthems performed by Alican Görl. In a striking segment of the ceremony, a number of children took to the stage and tore apart American and Israeli flags, along with images of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, in a gesture of support for Iran.
Speaking to Hawzah News Agency, Zeynep Utay noted the overwhelming public reception to the event and confirmed that the donations collected at the ceremony’s conclusion were delivered to the Iranian Consulate General in Istanbul for onward transmission to Iran.
Notably, the event provoked the ire of Mossad, the spy agency of the Zionist regime, which took to X to voice its objection.
In its reaction to the gathering, Mossad wrote: “No, this isn’t Iran. This is Turkey, a NATO member. At an event in Turkey to commemorate the victims of the attack on the Minab school, children were invited onto the stage to tear up images of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as American and Israeli flags. In the background, an image of former Iranian Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was prominently displayed. Is Turkey replacing Iran as the new center of Jihad? What will be the fate of these children in 15 years?”
