In Mardin, early-morning Eid al-Adha prayers drew large crowds to mosques across the city, with especially heavy attendance at the historic Ulu Mosque in Kızıltepe, which has a history of 842 years. Worshippers began arriving from the early hours to join the 05:33 prayer and fill the mosque for the holiday service.
After the prayer, the sermon highlighted the importance of Eid and called on the congregation to pray for Muslims facing oppression, with particular mention of Palestinians. The message emphasized solidarity, faith, and the spirit of sacrifice associated with Eid al-Adha.
Following the sermon, worshippers exchanged greetings inside the mosque in the first round of holiday congratulations. The atmosphere was festive and crowded, as people embraced one another and offered prayers after completing the holiday prayer. Similar scenes of heavy attendance were reported at other major mosques in the city, including Şakir Nuhoğlu, Kenan Kösen, and Zeynel Abidin mosques.
The celebration brought together families and community members who came to mark the occasion with prayer and fellowship. Among those attending was Mehmet Sait Arslanhan, who said Eid al-Adha reflects the example of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice, and that sacrificing an animal during the holiday symbolizes devotion and obedience to God. He offered greetings to all Muslims on the occasion of Eid.
Another worshipper, Selahaddin Gökdemir, said he attended the prayer with his family in Kızıltepe to begin the holiday together. He noted that after the prayer and greetings, the family planned to visit the graves of relatives and then continue visiting extended family members to exchange Eid greetings. He also extended his best wishes to the wider Muslim community.
The scene in Mardin reflected the traditional start of Eid al-Adha, with mosques filling before dawn, prayers offered in unison, and families continuing the holiday by visiting loved ones and honoring their ancestors. The atmosphere combined religious devotion, remembrance, and social unity, as residents across the city marked the sacred day with prayer, congratulations, and acts of fellowship.
