Families of martyrs visited their loved ones’ graves on the first day of Eid al-Adha, praying and reciting the Quran at the cemeteries. Families cleaned the graves and planted flowers while also exchanging greetings and well wishes with each other. Some martyr families distributed candy and Turkish delight, while officers from a gendarmerie unit in Istanbul also visited the cemetery to pray and greet the families of martyrs.
Among the families observing a somber Eid was Fatma Elkan, who visited the grave of her son Cihan Elkan, who was martyred at the age of 21 in Hakkari Yüksekova. She shared the heartbreaking story of her son coming home after 8 months of military service, only to receive the devastating news of his death 10 days later. She expressed her sorrow for not being able to celebrate the holidays as they remind her of the son she lost. Another father, Enver Kösen from Erzincan Kemahlı, mentioned that they lost 2 martyrs in their village and he visits their graves to pay his respects.
Remziye Anşin, whose son was martyred in Şırnak just 81 days before his military service was due to end, emphasized that the cemetery is their place for celebrations and holidays. She stated that the bond with a lost child is indescribable and that they never truly celebrate holidays as they used to, as their hearts are always with their martyred loved ones. Anşin explained how their plans and dreams were shattered due to their child’s sacrifice, and how the pain of longing for a lost child surpasses everything else.
The families at the cemetery find solace and comfort in visiting the graves of their martyred loved ones, making it their place of celebration and remembrance for all occasions. Despite the pain and grief they face, they continue to honor the memory of their lost children by visiting the cemetery and keeping their spirits alive through prayers and remembrance. The sacrifices made by these martyrs are remembered and appreciated by their families and the community, as they embody the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The families find strength in their faith and in each other as they navigate through their ongoing grief and loss.
