Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Many people around the world are going through difficult times due to natural disasters, wars and other calamities. Some cannot find healthy living conditions, others lack adequate nutrition and medical care, and still, others are unable to access proper education and a safe environment. In search of a better future for their children, they are forced to seek refuge in safe cities and regions. Severe conflicts and attacks cause many people to abandon their homes. Villages are left empty and people migrate to other places.

Especially in recent times, there are millions of people who have left their countries in search of a better life for themselves and their families due to natural disasters and war conditions. Babies, children, women, men, the elderly – people from all age groups are struggling to survive.

One of the most recent examples of this issue is the collective punishment imposed on the people of Gaza. More than two million civilians confined to a narrow area are being bombarded, hospitals, schools, mosques and churches are being destroyed. While the taking of even a single innocent life is unacceptable, in Gaza, more than ten thousand innocent people of all ages are being killed in a month.

As people struggle for their lives, the global public opinion is being tested in terms of freedom of expression, human rights and advocacy against wars. There are politicians, activists and leaders who call for adherence to the law, international rules and a dignified life in the face of war and occupation. On the other hand, there are those who do not even mention the war crimes committed.

Unfortunately, those who bring up this tragic situation and ask, “How many more people need to die for peace to be established?” often face hatred.

Helping these people in need of all kinds of assistance to sustain their lives and standing in solidarity with them is a common duty for all of us. Humanity is going through a great test in this regard.

Dear Jama’ah!

Allah (swt) says: “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakat; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.” [1] To be among the true doers of good that the verse points to, it is time today to be a path to goodness, to initiate goodness and to take the initiative for kindness and solidarity. Reiterating our commitment, it is our duty to be there for our needy refugee and distressed brothers and sisters from all walks of life during these difficult times. We should not forget that our assistance should be long-term, not just momentary or daily.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Feeling the burden and responsibility of going to bed with a full stomach while your neighbour is hungry and fighting against hunger with determination is our greatest commitment. We refrain from publicising the poverty of those in need and strive to find and support them, both financially and morally. It is the duty of conscientious individuals to be passionate about meeting the needs of the needy, including food, drink, shelter, education and learning, dedicating their time and efforts day and night for this cause. Supporting and being there for the needy refugees and war victims who have recently faced severe catastrophes in Yemen, Libya, Syria, Myanmar and most recently Palestine is a requirement of our faith. We continue our determination to help our Palestinian brothers and sisters in need with the same sensitivity as always.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We invite you to participate in the “Food Package Campaign” with the aim of helping our war-stricken and needy brothers and sisters. Our goal for this campaign, initiated by the Hasene Humanitarian Aid Organisation, is to encourage us to be generous and to abstain from stinginess, transforming it into a competition of goodness and beauty. We hope that our support not only alleviates our responsibility in the eyes of Allah (swt) but also serves as a means to receive the prayers of our oppressed brothers and sisters.

We want to remind you of the divine command to “compete in good deeds”[2] and the promise that “for each good deed, the reward will be multiplied from ten to seven hundred times.”

May Allah (swt) make us among His servants who spend in His way, uphold justice and come to the aid of the oppressed. Ameen!

[1] Surah Baqarah, 2:177

[2] Surah Baqarah, 2:148

 

Khutba – english
Khutba – turkish
Khutba – german
Khutba – arabic
Khutba – french