The Topçuoğlu couple dedicated their lives to being the voice of oppressed regions. For years, they participated in numerous humanitarian initiatives, reaching out to the downtrodden. Both Çetin and Çiğdem Topçuoğlu were among the participants of the Mavi Marmara ship, which set sail in 2010 as Israel intensified its attacks on Gaza.

During the raid on the ship, Çetin Topçuoğlu was martyred on his journey to deliver humanitarian aid to his brothers and sisters. His wife, Çiğdem Topçuoğlu, survived and became a veteran of that attack. While recounting her husband’s martyrdom aboard the ship, she once said she did not shed a single tear over his body, as she did not want the Israeli soldiers to see her in that state. Today, on May 8, 2025, Çiğdem Topçuoğlu has passed away.

We pray for Allah’s mercy upon Çiğdem Topçuoğlu and extend our condolences to her loved ones.