# Palestine solidarity events and educational initiatives in K > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/palestine-solidarity-events-in-konya-turkey > Updated: 2026-09-30T10:56:19.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 4. In September 2026, Konya, Turkey, hosted a series of solidarity events titled ‘Palestine Day’ to draw international attention to the situation in Gaza and Palestine. Organized by the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) in collaboration with local authorities, the program was part of Konya’s status as the 2026 OIC Youth Capital. The program featured the Palestine Youth Forum and discussions regarding human rights, the destruction of sports infrastructure in Gaza, and the role of sports diplomacy. Key speakers, including Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and Bilal Erdoğan, emphasized Turkey’s support for Palestinian sovereignty and called for increased international awareness of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. A central component of the program was a friendship football match between the Palestinian national reserve team and TÜMOSAN Konyaspor at the MEDAŞ Konya Metropolitan Stadium. Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestinian Football Association, addressed the players, describing them as ‘ambassadors of a sacred cause.’ He noted that the match, held under the slogan ‘Our home is your home,’ highlighted the difficulties the Palestinian team faces in playing international matches on their own soil due to occupation and movement restrictions. Konyaspor President Ömer Atiker announced that entry to the match would be free. Konya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Uğur İbrahim Altay stated the match aimed to send a ‘message of brotherhood to the world,’ while Konyaspor Technical Director İlhan Palut noted the match provided an opportunity for participants to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder in a spirit of solidarity.’ The friendship match concluded in a 2-2 draw. During the game, the stadium lights were turned off as a tribute to honor the 1,014 Palestinian athletes and sports professionals killed since October 7, 2023. ## Claims - The friendly match between Konyaspor and the Palestine National Team ended in a 2-2 draw. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Melih İbrahimoğlu scored for Konyaspor in the 2nd minute. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Mustafa Muhammed scored for Konyaspor in the 28th minute. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Mohammed Sandouqa scored twice for the Palestine National Team in the 12th and 25th minutes. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The match was ended at the 89:59 mark. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The scoreboard displayed the message 'The match is postponed until Palestine is free'. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Stadium lights were turned off during the 10th and 14th minutes to honor Palestinian athletes. (corroborated by 2 sources) - President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed his support for Palestine following the match. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Palestinian national team plays friendly in Konya as part of Palestine Day The Palestinian national reserve team played a friendly match against Konya Spor in Turkey as part of ‘Palestine Day’ events, highlighting the team's struggle to play matches at home. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestinian-national-team-plays-friendly-in-konya-as-part-of-palestine-day ### 2026-09-28: Konya hosts Palestine solidarity events and friendship football match Konyaspor and the Palestine National Football Team played a 2-2 friendship match in Konya to show solidarity with Palestine. Nicosia was also named the 2027 OIC Youth Capital. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konyaspor-and-palestine-national-team-to-play-solidarity-match-in-konya ### 2026-09-22: Educational initiatives expand in Konya and Karaman Educational programs in Turkey are introducing nature-based learning at Sille Tabiat Okulu, defense industry training in Beyşehir, and environmental awareness projects in Karaman. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/konya-to-host-palestine-solidarity-events-and-football-match ### 2026-09-18: Palestine National Football Team to play Konyaspor in friendship match The Palestine National Football Team will face TÜMOSAN Konyaspor in a friendship match on September 30 in Konya as part of ‘Palestine Day’ events to raise awareness for Gaza. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestine-national-football-team-to-play-konyaspor-in-friendship-match --- Cite as: Palestine solidarity events and educational initiatives in K. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/palestine-solidarity-events-in-konya-turkey