Hearts filled with emotion during Quran recitation in Thessaloniki
Various events organized by the Macedonia-Thrace Muslims Education and Culture Association in Thessaloniki continue to foster unity and solidarity.
On Sunday, February 23, a Quran Recitation Program was held at the association, led by religious officials from the İskeçe Muftiate. The event was organized by Association President İnanç Mustafaoğlu in memory of his late father, İsmet Mustafaoğlu, as well as for all deceased souls.
Among the attendees were İskeçe Mufti Mustafa Trampa and religious officials Cemali İhtiyar, Musa Çolak, Hafız Fatih Koca Ahmet, Sezer Güvendar, and Ersan Ömer, whose Quran recitations deeply moved the participants. Following the recitation, Mufti Mustafa Trampa led a prayer, to which the congregation responded with a heartfelt "Amin."
The event was also honored by the presence of Serkan Gedik, the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in Thessaloniki, as well as Hüseyin Baltacı, President of the Western Thrace Minority Higher Education Association.
Approximately 500 people attended the gathering, which concluded with a communal meal.
Under the leadership of İnanç Mustafaoğlu, the association continues to organize events that bring the community together. Thessaloniki’s Muslim community has expressed great appreciation for the association’s social and cultural initiatives.
Association’s Statement
Following the event, the Macedonia-Thrace Muslims Education and Culture Association released a statement on social media:
"The Quran recitation at our association was dedicated to the soul of Mustafaoğlu İsmet by his family. As the administration, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and pray that Allah grants him paradise. We also express our gratitude and respect to Türkiye’s Consul General in Thessaloniki, Mr. Serkan Gedik, our Mufti Mustafa Trampa, the esteemed religious scholars from İskeçe, and the entire community in Thessaloniki."
Personal Messages of Gratitude
Association President İnanç Mustafaoğlu also shared a heartfelt message on social media:
"Today, at the Thessaloniki Muslims Association, where I serve as president, we recited the Quran in memory of my father, Mustafaoğlu İsmet. As the Mustafaoğlu family, we sincerely thank all those who stood by us on this day—our beloved Mufti Mustafa Trampa, Türkiye’s Consul General Mr. Serkan Gedik, my esteemed brother Dr. Hüseyin Baltacı, my dear brother Musa Çolak, our respected teacher Ersan, all the religious officials from İskeçe, and our beloved elder Selami from the funeral services. May Allah bless you all abundantly. May our unity and solidarity remain strong. May our prayers for my father be accepted, and may his soul rest in eternal peace."
Mufti Mustafa Trampa also reflected on the event:
"Today, we were in Thessaloniki. We gathered for a Quran recitation and prayers for our late brother, İsmet Mustafaoğlu. We extend our gratitude to President İnanç Mustafaoğlu and his family for inviting us to this blessed gathering. May Allah have mercy on İsmet, and may his soul rest in paradise."
