Prof. Dr. Mahmud Esad Coşan Commemorated in Elazığ on 91st Hijri Anniversary

The late Prof. Dr. Mahmud Esad Coşan, known for his scholarly, academic, and cultural works, was commemorated in Elazığ. The event, themed "Doğuş Elazığ" (Elazığ's Dawn/Birth), took place with the morning prayer and Ishraq worship.

The fourth commemorative gathering organized by the Mahmud Esad Coşan Foundation (MEC Foundation) was held in Cumhuriyet Square. Over 20,000 guests attended the event.

The event, which began with a slide show featuring Coşan's words "Tevhid Asrı" (The Age of Monotheism), saw 1000 drones draw the words "Doğuş Elazığ" (Elazığ's Dawn/Birth), "MEC signature", "Welcome", "Allah", "Kalima-i Tawhid" (Word of Monotheism), "Muhammad", and "Ilahi ente maksudi ve rıdake matlubi" (My God, You are my aim and Your pleasure is my quest) in Arabic and Turkish in the sky. Additionally, various figures symbolizing the circumambulation (tawaf) of the Kaaba were displayed.

After the morning prayer, the Holy Quran was recited, dhikr (remembrance of God) was performed, and hymns were sung. Coşan's speeches, in his own voice, were played during the program.

The event concluded with the Ishraq prayer, a supererogatory (nafila) worship performed after sunrise and the disliked (kerahat) time for prayer.

Soup, gluten-free bread, sherbet, and cold water were offered to the participants. After the program concluded, Cumhuriyet Square was cleaned by volunteers.

Levent Saygılı, an official from the organizing team, stated that they respectfully commemorated Coşan on the 91st anniversary of his birth according to the Hijri calendar. Saygılı reminded that for the past three years, the commemorative events had been held at Azebler Namazgahı in Gelibolu district of Çanakkale, Coşan's birthplace. Saygılı stated that due to high participation, they sought a new venue, noting that they had expected 20,000 attendees in Elazığ, and this number was exceeded. He conveyed that they had wanted to hold the commemorative event in the historical mosques in Harput and its basin, but due to insufficient space, they chose Elazığ Cumhuriyet Square. Saygılı said that the program began with a video screening, followed by a drone show in Elazığ, which was the first time in the world that such a show was performed alongside the Adhan-i Muhammadi (call to prayer). He added that the words Allah, Muhammad, and tawhid (monotheism) were inscribed in the sky.

Saygılı stated that the late Mahmud Esad Coşan lived a life dedicated to knowledge, the Quran, and the Sunnah, and was martyred in Australia. He noted that for four years, inspired by Coşan's love for the Quran and Sunnah, they have been raising awareness by reminding people of the Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah of Ishraq worship. He added that this year's theme was also Ishraq worship, and Imam Suyuti's treatise on this topic, consisting of authentic hadiths, was distributed to guests.

The event was attended by Elazığ Governor Numan Hatipoğlu, AK Party Elazığ Deputies Erol Keleş and Ejder Açıkkapı, Elazığ Mayor Şahin Şerifoğulları, foundation members, and citizens.