ISTANBUL – The coffin of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the İmralı Delegation of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, was transported to Zincirlikuyu Cemetery for burial following the funeral prayer held at Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Mosque. His burial was marked by the slogan: “The ambassador of peace is immortal.”

 

Önder’s funeral was preceded by a ceremony at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), after which the coffin was brought to the Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Mosque in Şişli. Thousands of people walked from the AKM to the mosque.

 

HIS MOTHER WEPT BY THE COFFIN

 

Thousands gathered in and around the mosque courtyard. Many were unable to hold back tears, and Önder’s mother, Zeliha Önder, wept beside the coffin for a long time. His supporters continued to wait inside the mosque.

 

REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM ATTENDED

 

Among those who attended the funeral at Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Mosque were DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, İmralı Delegation Member Pervin Buldan, DEM Party MPs, Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokespersons Meral Danış Beştaş and Ali Kenanoğlu, politicians Ahmet Türk and Leyla Zana, ESP Co-Chair Murat Çepni, EHP Chair Hakan Öztürk, Başak Demirtaş, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, CHP Chair Özgür Özel, CHP Diyarbakır MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu, former CHP Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, Future Party Chair Ahmet Davutoğlu, DEVA Party Chair Ali Babacan, New Welfare Party Chair Fatih Erbakan, AKP Parliamentary Group Chair Abdullah Güler, and numerous other political party representatives, leaders, and officials.

 

ARTISTS ATTENDED THE CEREMONY

 

There was also significant participation from the arts community. Among those present were Gülten Kaya, wife of late musician Ahmet Kaya; director Yılmaz Erdoğan; singers İbrahim Tatlıses and Mahsun Kırmızıgül; historian İhsan Eliaçık; and many actors, artists, writers, and journalists.

 

During the ceremony, attended by thousands, slogans such as “Sırrı Süreyya is Immortal,” “Martyrs Never Die,” “Our Promise to Sırrı is Peace,” and “The Messenger of Peace is Immortal” were frequently chanted.

 

CHP Chair Özgür Özel received enthusiastic applause as he arrived at the ceremony. One attendee shouted, “Anyone who attacks you is a traitor!”

 

THE IMAM SHARED A MEMORY OF ÖNDER

 

 

The imam shared a personal memory of Önder: “During a conversation at another funeral, Önder asked me, ‘Hodja, isn’t everything they call the world just about taking a shroud and leaving?’ The answer to that question lies here today, on this bier. He gives the best possible answer himself, from the pulpit. Everyone remembers him as a kind and good man.”

 

After asking the crowd for their blessing, the imam continued, “Do you testify that he was truly our beloved Brother Sırrı?”

 

In accordance with his last will, Sırrı Süreyya Önder’s funeral prayer was led by İhsan Eliaçık. After the prayer, the crowd began the procession toward Zincirlikuyu Cemetery for the burial.

 

ÖNDER LAID TO REST AMID MASS GATHERING

 

Accompanied by a mass march and traditional ululations, Önder’s coffin was carried on the shoulders of his supporters to Zincirlikuyu, where it was received by thousands chanting, “The ambassador of peace is immortal.”

 

According to his family’s wishes, Önder was laid to rest in Istanbul. Flowers were placed on his grave by loved ones and supporters.

 

During the funeral procession, a group of recycling workers held a banner reading, “We carry your burden now, rest in peace Brother Sırrı.”