Muslims worldwide perform prayers for victims of Turkey-Syria earthquake

Muslims around the globe performed absentee prayers in memory of those who have lost their lives in the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians prayed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem, despite being under the presence of Israeli security forces, who routinely patrol the mosque’s gate entrance.

The Islamic Endowments Department in Jerusalem estimates that 70,000 worshippers gathered at the holy site to perform both Friday and absentee prayers for the thousands of those killed in the catastrophic tragedy.

Thousands of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip perform absentee funeral prayer for the victims of the earthquake tragedy in Turkey and Syria, today. pic.twitter.com/EcDXleRYgm

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) February 10, 2023

Many also prayed at mosques across the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip.

Additionally, the Endowments Ministry also collected donations for the earthquake victims.

In Islam, absentee prayers, or Salat Al-Gha’ib as they are called in Arabic, are usually performed by Muslims who are not physically present for the burial.

🇵🇰 Pakistan: In Faisal Masjid Islamabad yesterday, after the Friday prayer, funeral prayers were offered in absentia for those who died in the earthquake in Turkey & Syria. 🇸🇾🇵🇰#PakistanStandsWithTurkiye #TurkeySyriaEarthquake pic.twitter.com/aAK02plOWH

— Haseeb Arslan (@HaseebarslanUK) February 11, 2023

Meanwhile, in the Bahraini capital Manama, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs issued a statement instructing that absentee prayers to be performed across the Gulf country’s mosques after Friday prayers, reported the Bahraini daily Al-Ayam.

"We ask God Almighty for mercy and forgiveness for the dead, and for the injured a speedy recovery, and to protect our country and Muslim countries from all harm and misfortune. And may God’s blessings be upon our [prophet] Muhammad and his family and companions," the statement read.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan also called on Muslim worshippers in the country to pray for the deceased, according to The National.

Prayers were also offered in Jordan, Lebanon and Yemen.

In the Colombian capital Bogota, Muslims worshippers performed prayers at the Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq Mosque, which is the biggest of its kind in the country, reported the Turkish Anadolu agency.

In the US, a large number of mosques in the state of Michigan also performed the prayers on Friday, broadcaster CBS said, while the state's Council on American Muslims Relations (CAIR) called on the American public to boost their support for the earthquake's victims.

More than 24,000 people have been killed following Monday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake, occurring in the early hours of morning in southeastern and northwestern Turkey and Syria. Thousands more are wounded, while 1.5 million people are feared to be homeless.

Rescue efforts are still continuing, despite the end of 72-hour rescue window.