Kiraz Şahin, A Saturday People Member, Dies at 45

Kiraz Şahin, one of the members of Saturday Mother/People and the wife of İsmail Şahin who was lost in 1996, died last night. She was 45. It was reported that she had been battling with cancer for the past year and she wasn’t able to attend the weekly sit-ins for some time. 

Kiraz Şahin’s funeral will be sent to her hometown Hubyar village in the central province of Tokat after a funeral ceremony according to Alevi traditions in Istanbul’s Sarıgazi Cemevi. 

Saturday Mothers and Human Rights Association (IHD) released a statement, confirming their attendance at 2pm local time. 

“İsmail’s photo will be in our hand”

Saturday Mothers and Human Rights Association released a joint statement after the death of Kiraz Şahin. 

“We lost Kiraz Şahin who put a 19 year-long search to her 40 year long life,” the statement said. 

It also reminded that Kiraz Şahin was 20 years old with a 1.5 year old son when her husband disappeared.

“Farewell Kiraz, we will continue your search for İsmail from where you left it. Farewell Kiraz, we will hear your words, we will have your husband’s photo every Saturday in Galatasaray Square. Farewell Kiraz, your beloved İsmail is left to our conscience."

Hubyar Sultan Alevi Culture Association also releasing a statement, sending condolences to Şahin Family. 

“Kiraz Şahin was one of our dears members in Hubyar Ocağı. She sought for and remembered her husband İsmail Şahin at weekly gathering despite snow, winter, rain and mud,” the statement said. 

The association also pledged to continue her struggle to push those responsible to account for their actions.” (BK/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.