Minority Rights and defending our identity: The struggle in Western Thrace

Opinion
Mon, 21 Oct 2024 8:50 GMT
The events that unfolded at Çınar Mosque in Xanthi on October 11 serve as a powerful symbol of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority’s fight to assert its identity and rights.
Minority Rights and defending our identity: The struggle in Western Thrace

The provocative actions of state-appointed muftis represent a larger struggle for the preservation of the Turkish Muslim identity in Western Thrace, which has been consistently undermined.

The Importance of Minority Rights and Their Protection

Despite the rights guaranteed under the Treaty of Lausanne, the Greek state has persistently attempted to assimilate the Turkish Minority by disregarding these rights. As the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, we have the right to sustain our existence through our elected muftis, Turkish-language education, and cultural values. However, the Greek state’s imposition of appointed muftis denies us this fundamental right. Religious leadership and practices are deeply intertwined with a community’s identity; hence, it is unacceptable for leaders to be imposed without the community's consent.

The resistance demonstrated at Çınar Mosque is not merely a protest against the imposition of religious leaders but a significant assertion of the community's right to self-determination. This struggle is vital for the preservation and future of the Muslim Turkish identity in Western Thrace.

The Danger of Anti-Turkish and Anti-Islamic Ideologies

The Greek state has systematically pursued policies aimed at erasing the religious and national identity of Western Thrace Turks. These measures range from refusing to recognize our elected muftis to closing Turkish-language schools. The objective is clear: to erase our Turkish and Muslim identity through assimilation. The appointed muftis’ attempts to control our mosques and religious practices disregard a fundamental truth—religious leaders must emerge from the community they serve and cannot be legitimately imposed.

The incidents at Çınar Mosque have thwarted these fascist ambitions. By listening to their consciences and rejecting the appointed muftis, our community has displayed a principled and honorable stance. The expulsion of these muftis from the mosque is not just a protest; it is a powerful defense of our threatened Muslim Turkish identity.

Our Fortress of Identity: Education and Religion

The Treaty of Lausanne grants us the same rights accorded to the Greek Orthodox community in Istanbul, including the right to choose our religious leaders. However, the Greek state continues to deny us this equality. Furthermore, the closure of Turkish-language schools has impeded the next generation's education in their mother tongue, aiming to erase both the language and the national consciousness tied to it.

Yet, we, the Turkish community of Western Thrace, are determined to protect our identity and culture. We will continue to stand firm in our commitment to our mosques, schools, and elected muftis, resisting the state’s assimilation policies. We refuse to yield to the anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic ideologies of this oppressive mindset.

We Stand by Our Own Will

The fascist ideology in Greece aims to eradicate our Turkish and Muslim identity entirely. Despite the relentless assimilation policies, we draw strength from our faith and rich history to defend our rights. Our minority rights should be protected as a requirement of international law and human rights. Even the European Court of Human Rights has affirmed the legitimacy of our elected muftis, yet the Greek state continues to ignore this ruling.

As members of the Western Thrace Turkish community, we cannot remain silent. The saying of our Prophet, "The one who remains silent in the face of injustice is a mute devil," serves as our guiding principle. We will not tolerate injustice; we will assert our rights. We will protect our mosques, schools, and religious leaders, and we will combat the assimilation policies that threaten our culture and faith.

Final Thoughts: Our Struggle Continues

The Western Thrace Turkish Minority will persist in its fight for its religion, language, culture, and identity against the fascist assimilation policies of Greece. The historic resistance displayed at Çınar Mosque marks a crucial step in defending our Turkish identity and Islam in Western Thrace. We will continue to uphold the rights granted to us by the Treaty of Lausanne, steadfast in our commitment to preserve our identity.

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