Mufti of Xanthi issues statement on "January 29"
The Mufti of Xanthi, Mustafa Trampa, has issued a statement on the occasion of "January 29 – National Resistance and Social Solidarity Day."
In his message, Mufti Trampa emphasized:
"Today, we must continue our struggle with the same spirit as January 29, ensuring that this national resistance day is neither forgotten nor allowed to be forgotten."
The full statement signed by Mufti Mustafa Trampa is as follows:
"Today, we take great pride in commemorating the 37th anniversary of January 29, 1988, a day inscribed in golden letters in the history of Western Thrace’s Muslim Turkish community. This remarkable demonstration remains a day of honor for us."
"The mid-1960s marked the beginning of human rights and minority rights violations against Western Thrace Turks. By the 1970s, increasing pressure had reached an unbearable level by the 1980s. During this period, the Turkish minority of Western Thrace was deprived of fundamental individual rights guaranteed by the Greek Constitution and international human rights conventions."
"During this time, arbitrary revocations of citizenship took place. Associations bearing the name ‘Turkish’ were targeted, with Greek courts attempting to shut them down based on the claim that ‘there are no Turks in Greece.’ In response, the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace organized a mass protest in Komotini on January 29, 1988, to resist these injustices."
"We, the Muslim Turks of Western Thrace, are all too familiar with rights violations and life under pressure. Since being left as a minority under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, our rights have been systematically violated. From the 1980s onwards, our national and religious identities—our Turkishness and our Muslim faith—were also targeted. Our Turkish identity was denied by court rulings. Our religious foundations were plundered. Our right to education was restricted. Most recently, our religious leadership was also taken over, with our Mufti offices being occupied."
"January 29, 1988, remains the historic day when tens of thousands of Western Thrace Turks, despite all obstacles, stood together and declared in one voice: ‘We are Turks.’"
"By 1990, in an effort to ensure that the injustices of January 29, 1988, were neither forgotten nor ignored, the Turkish community of Western Thrace once again took to the streets for a peaceful march. This time, the protest was met with severe police intervention. Additionally, extremist and fascist Greek groups attacked Turkish-owned shops, looting and setting them on fire. This blatant violence proved that the Turkish minority’s safety—both in life and property—was not being protected."
"Today, we must continue our struggle with the same spirit as January 29. We must never forget and never allow this national resistance day to be forgotten. On this occasion, we honor our elders who gifted us this proud day, praying for their souls and wishing them the highest ranks in paradise. May January 29—National Resistance Day—be a source of strength and unity for us all."
"Even today, the Greek government's unjust policies persist. We continue to demand our rightful place as the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, standing firm within the framework of democratic principles and the rule of law."
