Yusuf Çoban, who set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2010 and was wounded in the massacre carried out by the zionist occupation gangs in international waters off Gaza coast, called on Muslims not to forget the Mavi Marmara.

On May 31, 2010, an armed attack was carried out by the gangs of the zionist regime in the international territorial waters with helicopters and assault boats, and dozens of Muslims were wounded in the attack on the Mavi Marmara vessel, which set off to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under blockade since 2006.

Uğur Süleyman Söylemez, who was severely injured as a result of bullets that hit his head and stomach, remained in a coma for 4 years and lived a vegetative life, also died on May 23, 2014, and joined the caravan of martyrs. With Söylemez's martyrdom, the number of martyrs killed by the invading zionist terrorist gang in the Blue Marmara (Mavi Marmara) rose to 10.

Yusuf Çoban, who joined the Mavi Marmara flotilla from Gaziantep and was wounded during the massacre of the zionist gangs, spoke to İLKHA on the anniversary of the massacre.

Çoban reminded that the Gaza Freedom Fleet, consisting of the Mavi Marmara and other ships, which set out to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and that only carry aid volunteers and humanitarian aid materials, was facing an illegal attack on May 31, 2010, and he stated that during this attack 10 people were martyred and 56 people were seriously injured in the ongoing process.

Stating that the participants of the Mavi Marmara ship are lovers of Jerusalem and volunteer for aid, Çoban said that Muslims need unity and solidarity on the Mavi Marmara vessel.

Describing the Mavi Marmara flotilla as a movement of kindness and unity, Çoban stated that Muslims should regain the spirit of the Mavi Marmara and stated that the way of liberation of Jerusalem and blockades in other Islamic geographies, especially in Gaza, was through the unity of Muslims.

Stating that Jerusalem is expected with new conquests Çoban Said: “Hopefully, Jerusalem is expected with new conquests, as Caliph Umar conquered. I hope Allah sends new Conquerors and gives our Jerusalem’s dominance back to the Muslims. For this, of course, Muslims must catch unity and solidarity. We need to catch the spirit of the Mavi Marmara again. In the Mavi Marmara, there was such a soul and unity that people including non-Muslims from very different societies, different cities and even from different countries acted in unity and solidarity.”

“Mavi Marmara was the movement of Jerusalem and Palestine”

Underlining that Mavi Marmara is a movement of benevolence and unity, Çoban said: “The Mavi Marmara was the movement of Jerusalem and Palestine. Actually, the Mavi Marmara was a natural movement. I hope that my Lord will establish our unity and solidarity again. Muslims should come together for Jerusalem. Muslims can do something with their own efforts for the freedom of Jerusalem. For example, we can raise awareness on social media. We can participate and create events such as the Mavi Marmara. At least we can contribute by praying. The Mavi Marmara was a different beauty.”

“Uğur Süleyman Söylemez became the 10th martyr of the Mavi Marmara”

Reminding that it is the 10th anniversary of the Mavi Marmara massacre, Çoban said that when they approached Gaza, they continued their way despite the threats of the invading terrorist network in the international waters, they were attacked and that Uğur Süleyman Söylemez was martyred in the head and belly of the attack and remained in herbal life for 4 years. He described a memory of Uğur Süleyman Söylemez as follows:

It's been 10 years. However, I still cannot forget what I lived in the Mavi Marmara. The beauty of the Mavi Marmara was another. I even have a memory I can never forget. We had an older brother, Uğur Süleyman Söylemez, who took the Quran lesson. He had joined the ship from Ankara. One day before I left, he asked me, “Yusuf brother tomorrow is the day of martyrdom, if we don't take lessons today, wouldn’t it be? I replied, “Don’t worry brother.” Indeed, Allah confirmed him because of his intention. While carrying the injured after the massacre, I took a look that he was injured. Bullet had hit her stomach and head. He remained in intensive care for about 4 years. However, he could not survive and became the 10th martyr of the Mavi Marmara. I hope my Lord will give us martyrdom.

“Hopefully, my Lord will give us Jerusalem again with a new reform and conquest”

Pointing out to the situation in which the Islamic Ummah is in, he said: “Muslims are really victims at the moment. Because the caliphate has been lifted, the Islamic world has been shattered. The Islamic world needs a caliphate again. If my Lord praises, it is easy for Him to send a Moses to us and perform the caliphate again. Caliph Umar had conquered Jerusalem without shedding blood. Hopefully, if the Muslims come to new jihad with the spirit of jihad again in unity and solidarity, my Lord will give us Jerusalem again with a new revolution and conquest. We believe this with the permission of God. Because we believed in Allah, we will conquer Jerusalem again as Muslims. I hope the Muslims will meet again. It will provide unity and togetherness. Although we are in various groups and societies, we have all believed in God, and we are the Ummah of the Prophet. This is enough for our unity. I hope my Lord will reunite us. I hope we will always have a prayer on this matter.”