Violations against the right to mourn of the families of those who lost their lives in the Kurdish freedom struggle continue. Condolence meetings organised for HPG fighters who were announced to have lost their lives in clashes on different dates are arbitrarily prevented by the 

 

police. On August 8, 2019, the family of Adem Gök (Nizar Cizîrî), an HPG soldier who was reported to have died in a clash in Metîna area of Federated Kurdistan on September 1, 2019, wanted to hold a condolence service in Cudi neighbourhood of Cizîr district of Şirnex. 

 

However, the police raided the condolence house, violated the family's right to mourn and respect for the memory of the deceased, and unlawfully removed the family from the condolence house. A day later, the police continued to harass the family in the condolence house and tried to prevent their right to mourn.

 

 

Mele Sait Özdemir (65) stated that preventing funerals and the memory of the dead has no place neither in Islam nor in law.

 

'WHERE HAS ISLAM GONE?'

 

Emphasising that condolences are sacred in all religions and beliefs, Özdemir said, "Since the Prophet Adam, condolences have not been prevented in any religion or belief. Regardless of religious belief, condolences should be respected. In the Qur'an, Allah says, 'We created you from a male and a female; then we divided you into nations and tribes so that you might know one another.' According to this verse, where does this leave Islam? Regardless of language, religion and belief, everyone has the right to mourn. Today's practices are sinful in terms of Islam. These practices carried out in the name of religion are against religion. Diyanet should look at the verses of Allah. We do not deny anyone, we respect all languages. If Allah wanted, He could have created everyone in a single belief, language and religion. We condemn those who act against this."

 

'CONDOLENCE HOUSE CANNOT BE CLOSED'

 

Stating that everyone who calls themselves "Muslim" must respect the right to mourning, Özdemir said: "Preventing condolences today is a crime not only according to religion but also according to modern law. There is a 'Peace and Democratic Society Process'. While we are calling for no one to die, why are our condolences being prevented? Those who should have mercy on people are persecuting people. Condolence houses cannot be closed to anyone, this situation harms the process. The parliament should turn its attention to the people and react to these unlawful acts in the name of religion. Everyone has the right to bury his/her dead body and organise condolences and this should not be prevented."

 

'THE GREATEST SIN'

 

Stating that the "Commission on National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy" established in the Parliament in relation to the process should investigate the prevention of the right to mourn and the crimes committed against the memory of the dead, Özdemir concluded: "This is mandatory for peace and brotherhood. Let them look at the four holy books, such practices have no place in any of them. Today, people in Cizîr cannot hold condolences. Those who carry out these practices claim to do so in the name of Islam; those whose condolences are prevented are Muslims. Let them look at universal law, it is a crime in all of them. In addition to preventing funerals and condolences, the graves of those who lost their lives in the conflict process for many years are being vandalised and destroyed. These practices must be abandoned. As an imam, I am obliged to tell the truth, and if I do not tell the truth, I will give an account for it in the presence of Allah tomorrow."

 

MA / Emrullah Acar