Minister Ersoy delivers message of unity and justice at Muharram gathering

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy highlighted the significance of Muharram at the Yas-ı Matem fast-breaking event in Zeytinburnu. Ersoy said the message of justice, compassion and brotherhood from Karbala remains alive today.

Scraper SystemJune 19, 2026, 12:19 PM

Minister Ersoy delivers message of unity and justice at Muharram gathering

Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy attended the Yas-ı Matem fast-breaking event held as part of Muharram and met with citizens. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and Zeytinburnu Mayor Ömer Arısoy also joined the programme, where the martyrs of Karbala were commemorated with prayers and the place of Muharram in the Alevi-Bektashi faith and cultural world, along with the messages Karbala left for humanity, were underscored.

Speaking at the programme, Ersoy stated that Muharram is not only a period of mourning in the Alevi-Bektashi faith and cultural world, but a time of deep reckoning when truth, conscience and human dignity are remembered anew. He said they commemorate Imam Hussein and the martyrs of Karbala with mercy, respect and reverence.

Ersoy noted that Imam Hussein struggled not for rank or sovereignty but for human values, and sacrificed his life and his loved ones for this cause.

Stating that Karbala should not be seen merely as a historical event, Ersoy said, "In Karbala, it was not only people who were left without water; justice, compassion and the human conscience were also put to a great test."

Ersoy said the Muharram fast is a spiritual expression of feeling the pain of Karbala in the heart, disciplining the self, understanding the plight of the oppressed and arming oneself with patience on the path of truth, and noted that this month reminds us to strengthen sharing, solidarity and unity of hearts.

In his speech, Ersoy stressed that the most important message of Karbala is to stand against oppression, and said this call remains relevant today. "If the cry of an oppressed person rises in Palestine, Arakan, the African continent, East Turkestan and many other places, the voice of Karbala and Imam Hussein's call for justice echo there," Ersoy said, adding that Imam Hussein is the leader of the oppressed not only of one era but of all ages.

Ersoy stated that in the Alevi-Bektashi tradition, the essence of Karbala is not resentment but taking a lesson, defending justice, not hurting people, and strengthening unity and brotherhood. He said the Husseini stance means not remaining silent in the face of injustice but standing with the truth without producing hatred.

Ersoy stressed that what must be done today is to commemorate Imam Hussein not only with tears but by living his morality, love for humanity and devotion to the truth. He noted that the understanding that will carry the message of Karbala into the future is an approach that grows unity rather than division and is based on love, solidarity and brotherhood.

At the end of his speech, Minister Ersoy commemorated the martyrs of Karbala with mercy and reverence, and expressed his wish that the month of Muharram bring peace, brotherhood, justice and unity of hearts to the country, the nation and all humanity. Wishing that the month of Muharram and the fasts observed be accepted, Ersoy greeted the participants with love, respect and affection.

Minister Ersoy delivers message of unity and justice at Muharram gathering