Kurdish religious scholars: Do not remain silent on Turkish crimes

In Cologne, about 100 religious scholars from Kurdistan gathered for a conference entitled “Kurdish Religious Scholars in Exile” at the headquarters of the Kurdish Islamic Association CÎK. The conference was attended by about 100 religious scholars, most of them aged 60 to 70. Among the scholars and sheiks trained in madrasas in Kurdistan was Şêx Hesen, the grandson of the legendary resistance leader Şêx Seîd (Sheikh Said).

In all the speeches at the conference, the attacks of the Turkish army were a topic. The responsibility of the religious scholars in the resistance against the occupation and for the unity of the Kurdish people was emphasized again and again. In particular, the Turkish poison gas operations in southern Kurdistan and daily crimes against humanity in Afrin were addressed. The scholars also criticized Turkish clerics who legitimize the state’s crimes.

“Withdraw your support from Turkey”

The conference’s final statement said, “Chemical weapons, the use of which is banned all over the world, were first used in Halabja and now in our sacred mountains of Kurdistan against our children.” The scholars accused Germany and the United States of “duplicity” and appealed to the states to withdraw their support from Turkey. The clerics also called for participation in the international campaign for the freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, stating, “Mr. Öcalan’s freedom will bring peace to Kurdistan and the Middle East.” The participants of the conference called on the Kurds to unite and the collaborators to end their cooperation with the “enemies of the Kurds.”

“Oppressors abuse Islam”

Addressing the Kurdish community and Muslims, the clerics said, “The oppressors are trampling Islam underfoot and abusing our religion for massacres, theft, rape, prostitution and drug trafficking. Muslims must not remain silent about what is happening.”

In conclusion, the statement said, “Now is the time for Kurdish scholars to show unity and form alliances. It is time for Kurdish scholars to eliminate the misery and persecution that is dividing our country and our people. It is time for Kurdish Muslims as well as all other denominations, orders, foundations to come together.”

Addressing the Muslims of the world, the scholars declared, “Put a stop to our persecution! Uphold duties of religious brotherhood. Otherwise, you will be complicit in these atrocities on the Day of Judgment. Give ear to your Kurdish brothers and sisters.”

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