Susa Mosque massacre committed by PKK has not been forgotten for many years. Among the bloodiest pages of history, the events of the brutal massacres of 10 Muslim Kurds are still hurt hearts.

Twenty-eight years ago, there was an incident happened in the hot June weather which cold hearts. PKK elements raided on the mosque of Yolaç (Susa) village in Silvan (Farqin) town. After arrayed Muslim villagers in the yard of the mosque who were praying in the mosque, executed all by firing squad.

In this attack, 10 Muslim Kurds were martyred with the PKK's betrayal bullets. At a time when the PKK persecution in Kurdistan took the people under pressure, Susa village was targeted because it did not obey to PKK, did not think like them, and did not compromise on its Islamic identity.

The oppressed peasants in the Susa Mosque, where the PKK raided their troops by wearing military clothes, were confronted with a great conspiracy of the enemy of Islam. The residents of this charming village, five kilometers from the center of Silvan, will never forget that what they witnessed on June 26th, 1992.

Ömer Çelik, Chairman of Martyrs Caravan Platform, spoke to Ilke News Agency on the occasion of 28th anniversary of Susa massacre.

Çelik said: “The Muslims who were killed that night in the mosque showed a respectable resistance against the PKK members and never showed any behavior and they didn’t yield to persecution. When we look at the lives of all of them, we see that all of our martyrs are people who are in love with martyrdom. They were all praying to each other to become martyrs. Allah Almighty has bestowed upon these brothers and sisters the position of martyrdom, which he did not grant to everyone, owing to their sincerity and loyalty.”

Emphasizing the important of martyrdom in Islamic faith, Çelik stated: “As our Prophet (PBUH) said, the peak of this religion is struggle and jihad. The result of jihad is martyrdom. Allah says in the Holy Quran, ‘Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah. And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.’”

“Societies that erase the desire to be a martyr in their hearts are doomed to be humiliated”

He said the desire for martyrdom kept Muslims energetic and the struggle alive and added: “Because societies that erase the desire to be a martyr in their hearts are doomed to be humiliated. When we look at the history of mankind, from the Prophet Adam to the present day, the societies, which desired martyrdom and made efforts to become martyrs, were never enslaved and could not be taken under the yoke. They have been servants of Allah only. The return of Islam to its former glory days, its domination of society and humanity, and its bringing about justice depends on our view of martyrdom. If we desire martyrdom with all our souls, if we wish to be a martyr in our prayers, then everything will be beautiful, it will return to its former state and justice will prevail on the earth. Because even if some people give their lives by martyrdom, it means the Salvation and happiness of both the world and the hereafter of the billions of lives left behind.”

“Like candles that illuminate only by burning, martyrs bestow meaning on life through their self- sacrifice”

Çelik concluded his remark as follows: ”Like candles that illuminate only by burning, martyrs bestow meaning on life through their self- sacrifice.  May Allah, Our Lord, glorify the position of the martyrs in His presence. Let Him not stray us away from their way for a moment. May He raise us to martyrdom.”

ILKHA