DİAYDER President Ekrem Baran said in a written statement: "The burning and destruction of the graves is haram. No matter the extent of hostility among people, cemeteries and places of worship should be respected and honoured."

 

Emphasizing that "damaging the graveyards of Kurdish children and the gravestones because they display Kurdish letters does not belong to Islam and is not human", Baran added: "The language of the peoples is that of the verses of Allah. Banning the language given by God is not the right of any state. This hatred, and brutality is an arbitrary practice, as well as disrespect for the Kurdish society and hostility towards their graves."

 

The President of Istanbul Religious Scholars Association called on the Presidency of Religious Affairs to make a statement and "state that if these acts are done in the name of religion, they cannot be done in the shadow of Islam."

 

Reminding that HPG member Agit İpek's remains were sent by post to his family, Baran said: "The remains of a Kurdish teenager were sent to his mother by post. This and similar practices are neither Islamic nor human. They are immoral and unscrupulous."

 

Baran continued: "All mothers should think deeply and express their feelings of motherhood. Religious scholars also remained silent on this situation. Every person of conscience must put himself in the mother's place and show empathy."