The Palestine Solidarity Days program held in Istanbul's Üsküdar district ended Sunday. Proceeds from the aid market and donations will be allocated to health, education and humanitarian aid projects in Gaza.
The program, held under the supervision of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, aimed to draw attention to developments in Gaza and demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people. On the final day of the event, the area set up in front of the mosque in Üsküdar Square attracted strong interest from residents.
Aid market and awareness activities
Textile products and food items were offered for sale at stalls in the event area. Visitors supported the program by purchasing products from the aid market.
Symbolic graves representing children who lost their lives in Gaza were also placed in the area. Signs displaying the children's photographs, names and ages, along with toys and flowers, were exhibited there.
Information boards at the event venue displayed the statements "21,500 children martyred" and "620,000 children deprived of education." Participants also visited a truck called the "Jerusalem miniature" and viewed Palestine-themed photography exhibitions and awareness panels.
As part of the program, a virtual reality experience titled "Gaza simulation +18," documentary-style digital works and workshops for children were organized. The workshops included Palestine- and Jerusalem-themed drawing and coloring activities, memory games, storytelling and banner-making.
Participants wrote their feelings and thoughts about Gaza on a white banner hung in the square under the heading "Vigil for freedom." Yeryüzü Doktorları Association also provided information about the health situation in Gaza at its special stand.
Proceeds will be allocated to projects in Gaza
Ekrem Kubilay Karadeniz, a member of the Executive Board of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, said the program was organized to mark the anniversary of the war that began in Gaza in October 2023. Karadeniz said the event aimed to demonstrate solidarity between the Turkish and Palestinian peoples and draw attention to the resilience maintained by the Palestinian people despite the destruction they have suffered.
Karadeniz said the program was held with the participation of 12 organizations and associations, adding that the stalls featured Palestine-themed products and food. He said proceeds from the sales and donations would be allocated to projects and activities in the fields of education, health and humanitarian aid in Palestine and Gaza.
