Turks in Kosovo meet at iftar

YTB President Abdullah Eren attended the traditional iftar programme organised by Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP) in Prizren.

In his speech after the iftar dinner, Eren also called for participation in the population census to be held in Kosovo between 5 April-17 May.

The traditional iftar programme of Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP) was held in Prizren, Kosovo.

Abdullah Eren, President of Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), Fikrim Damka, President of KDTP and Minister of Regional Development of Kosovo, Sabri Tunç Angılı, Ambassador of Türkiye to Pristina, KDTP MPs Fidan Brina Jılta and Enis Kervan as well as many guests attended the iftar.

After the iftar programme, YTB President Eren made a speech. Pointing out that YTB has implemented dozens of projects in Kosovo, Eren said that Turkish students from Kosovo also receive education in Turkey.

Stating that the Turkish community in Kosovo continues to carry the Turkish heart of mercy and compassion, Eren said, "Kosovo is our history, culture and homeland. Kosovo is the name of the homeland that is watered with the blood of our ancestors and made a homeland, where the seal of Islam is stamped with the call to prayer, and which is one of us in every way. Our compatriots, who continue the torch of Turkishness not only in Kosovo but all over the Balkans, endeavour to keep their culture and identity alive with a thousand difficulties."

Emphasising that they always strive to be with the compatriots in Kosovo as they are in the Balkans and all over the world, YTB President Eren called for participation in the census to be held in Kosovo on 5 April-17 May. He emphasised the importance of protecting the centuries-old Turkish presence in Kosovo and transferring it to the future in the most accurate and strong way.

Fikrim Damka, President of KDTP and Minister of Regional Development of Kosovo, started his speech by celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the regaining of the right to Turkish education in Kosovo.

Stating that 20 March represents the resurrection and rebirth of the Turkish community in Kosovo, Damka said, "20 March 1951 is the day we regained the right to Turkish education in Kosovo. Since that day, the Turkish community in Kosovo has kept its own identity, its own education and its own culture standing upright. Of course, this is not only thanks to us, but also thanks to you, thanks to our motherland. Today we are much stronger, today our motherland is always with us."

Ambassador of Turkey to Pristina Sabri Tunç Angılı emphasised the importance of the census and said: "As the Republic of Turkey, we consider this census as an opportunity. It is an important turning point, an important milestone to reveal the real number of Turks in Kosovo under the flag that you have taken over from the previous generations and carried to the future."

TB