Victims of the Barin Resistance remembered in a memorial event held in Istanbul

The Platform of Uyghur Organizations in Turkey held a memorial event in Istanbul to honor the victims of the Barin resistance. The event drew a large crowd and emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among Uyghur organizations.

The gathering was organized to commemorate those who lost their lives 35 years ago while resisting Chinese forces in the town of Barin, East Turkistan, in the name of freedom and justice. The event took place on April 5 at around 5:00 p.m. in the meeting hall of Fatih Mosque in Sefaköy, one of Istanbul’s neighborhoods with a large Uyghur population.

This meaningful gathering was organized by the Platform of Uyghur Organizations in Turkey. Member organizations of the forum include the Federation of East Turkistanis, the Uyghur Academy Foundation, the World Uyghur Congress Foundation, the Uyghur Science and Education Foundation, Teklimakan Uyghur Publishing House, the East Turkistan Society, the Traditional Uyghur Medicine Research Foundation, the East Turkistan News and Publishing Society, the Dormitories Union Society, and the East Turkistan Youth and Independence Movement Society. The event was the result of the collective efforts and solidarity of these organizations.

Leaders of nearly twenty Uyghur organizations, well-known intellectuals and scholars, and members of the Uyghur community in Istanbul participated in the event. More than 300 people attended, creating a lively and heartfelt atmosphere. Before the formal program began, attendees were welcomed with a communal meal.

The memorial began with a moving recitation from the Qur’an by Hikmetullah Karim. This was followed by the East Turkistan national anthem and a moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the resistance. Representatives from several organizations then addressed the audience. In their speeches, they emphasized that the spirit of those who resisted in Barin lives on, and their legacy continues to guide the ongoing struggle for justice and national dignity.

Community leader Abdulkadir Yapchan expressed his deep respect for the victims of the Barin resistance and spoke in detail about their character and courage. He also shared memories of Zeydin Yusuf, the leader of the resistance, highlighting the values and activities of this close companion from his student and activist days.

Emir Hasan Haji, President of the Federation of East Turkistanis; Abdulhamid Abdurreshit, President of the World Uyghur Congress Foundation; and Ali Salih, President of the East Turkistan Society, also spoke. They stressed the importance of collaboration among organizations, unity, trust, and a collective commitment to justice. They emphasized that overcoming the persecution faced by the Uyghur people today depends on strong and coordinated efforts.

Other speakers included Ustad Ataullah Damolla Haji, Mahmut Damollam (President of Darul Iman Academy), Habibullah Kuseni (President of the Uyghur Science and Education Foundation), and Ekrem Uyghurkhan (President of the East Turkistan Youth and Independence Movement Society). They honored the victims who gave their lives for their homeland and also addressed topics such as betrayal, espionage, and treachery against the nation, warning of the consequences of such actions.

Later in the program, a young Uyghur named Ibrahim recited a poem written in remembrance of those who died in Barin. His emotional reading, delivered in eloquent Uyghur Turkish, deeply moved the audience and received enthusiastic applause.

The event concluded with a powerful and heartfelt prayer by Abdulkadir Yapchan, leaving a deep emotional impact on those in attendance and bringing the memorial to a meaningful close.