Western Thrace Turks commemorate January 29th in Gümülcine

Turkish Minority
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 11:41 GMT
The Western Thrace Turks gathered to commemorate "January 29th" at the “29 January National Resistance and Solidarity Day” event held in Gümülcine.
Western Thrace Turks commemorate January 29th in Gümülcine

On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Western Thrace Turks came together for the "National Resistance and Solidarity Day" event to remember the existence march held in Gümülcine on January 29, 1988, and the attacks on Turkish businesses on January 29, 1990.

At the event titled “National Resistance and Solidarity Day: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow,” organized by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board (BTTADK) at the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union (GTGB) local, young speakers shared the struggle of the Western Thrace Turks with the participants.

The program began with a moment of silence to commemorate the ancestors who contributed to the January 29 process and the struggle for the rights of the Western Thrace Turks but have passed away.

Then, the President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board (BTTADK) and the Mufti of Gümülcine, İbrahim Şerif, began his speech by greeting all the participants and congratulated the Western Thrace Turkish Minority on the 29 January National Resistance and Solidarity Day.

Mufti Şerif, stating that this year, they wanted to give the microphone to the youth as part of the January 29 events, said: "Today, we have listened to the memories of those who lived through those days through these microphones. This year, however, as the Advisory Board, we wanted to listen to our youth. I already congratulate our young people. When the 29 January decisions were made, I was also a young person. In those days, we held meetings with our elders and made decisions. Our elders were always with us, and we were always listening to them."

In the final part of his speech, Mufti Şerif explained the process leading up to January 29, stating that with the 1923 Lausanne Treaty, they became the only minority left in Greece according to international agreements. He pointed out that after the 1950s, the minority rights that existed began to be gradually taken away. “Since 1950, our minority rights have been taken from us in such a way that after 1970, the minority started to live a ghetto life. Our associations were closed through judicial means because the word 'Turkish' appeared in their names. After that, with the decision of the Minority High Council at the time, the Turkish minority decided to hold a march. On that day, Western Thrace Turks reacted to the mentality that imposed a ghetto life on the minority. To gain our minority rights, a struggle is needed. In the end, rights are definitely won through this struggle. I once again pray for mercy for those who fought for these rights and passed away, and thank those who participated in this event."

The event continued with speeches recounting the identity struggle of the Western Thrace Turks and the difficulties they faced during this process.

Vice President of the Friendship Equality Peace Party, Koray Bağdatlı

Before handing the floor to the speakers, Koray Bağdatlı, the Vice President of the Friendship Equality Peace Party, who moderated the event organized by the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board, made a brief speech about January 29th. He stated the following:

Bağdatlı began his speech by greeting the administrators and compatriots attending the event, and then addressed the following points:

“Today, I would like to start this beautiful event with the slogan ‘With respect for the past, with hope for the future.’ I pray for mercy for all those who took part in this struggle and have passed away, I greet with respect the valuable elders who continue to participate in the struggle, and I invite us young people, who will carry the flag of this cause, to be inspired and to create. We act according to the principle of ‘The truest guide is knowledge.’ As people who believe in the power of knowledge, I would like to announce to everyone that we are committed to doing our best to ensure this society receives the value it deserves.”

“Our title is very meaningful: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow of the January 29th events. We are not talking about a completed process. As I mentioned in my speech last year, January 29th is a symbol, and this Minority will continue to live and uphold January 29th until its identity is recognized and violations of its rights cease. Yesterday’s ungranted tractor licenses today force our students in İskeçe to be educated in outdated classrooms. Yesterday’s ungranted construction permits today present us with occupations of foundations. Yesterday, innocent people had to get permits from authorities just to enter and exit their own villages, and today, these people are being threatened by high-ranking state officials with ‘If you don’t vote, you will face the consequences.’ This list could go on until morning, but it teaches us not despair but to resist for tomorrow.”

“At this point, I will not drag on to avoid stealing the spotlight. Because my young brothers have prepared magnificent speeches for you. I would like to thank these three brothers for the care and cooperation they have shown in this process.”

After completing his speech, Bağdatlı handed the floor to the young speakers of the event.

Mustafa Budur, President of the Youth Branch of the Xanthi Turkish Union (İTB)

The first speaker at the "29 January National Resistance and Solidarity Day" event was Mustafa Budur, the President of the Youth Branch of the Xanthi Turkish Union (İTB).

In his speech, Mustafa Budur evaluated the struggle for rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace in the context of the 29 January events within the historical process. Starting by greeting the attendees and emphasizing the importance of the 29 January events, Budur thanked the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Council for organizing the event, the responsible authorities, and event moderator Koray Bağdatlı.

Budur stated that he saw it as a great value for young people to have the opportunity to speak about the 29 January events, saying, "Today, for us young people to have the opportunity to talk about and discuss the 29 January events in front of you, having been given this chance, is meaningful and valuable in itself." He stressed that the struggle should be passed down to future generations, summarizing the historical process of the 29 January events, while also stating that the struggle is still ongoing.

Budur noted that the identity of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace has been denied for years and is still being ignored. He stated that the decision by the Greek High Court in 1987, which declared "There are no Turks in Western Thrace," was the last straw. Following this decision, Budur recalled that the Turkish people of Western Thrace organized a massive march on 29 January 1988, despite all obstacles. He described what happened that day:

“Despite all the obstacles and bans, the Turkish people of Western Thrace set off to gather in Komotini. Although some were stopped by the obstacles, their fighting spirit reached Komotini, where thousands of people gathered around the Turkish Youth Association of Komotini, near the time of the Friday prayer, and shouted their Turkish identity to the world.”

However, Budur mentioned that after this peaceful demonstration, many people were beaten by the police, and fanatic groups attacked the Turkish minority. He also mentioned that on 29 January 1990, during a commemoration event, attacks on Turkish businesses took place. He stated that the then-Mufti of Xanthi, Mehmet Emin Aga, and independent MP Ahmet Faikoğlu were assaulted, and hundreds of shops were looted.

Budur emphasized that despite these pressures, the Turkish people of Western Thrace acted in unity and solidarity. He stated that this struggle continues and added:

"Years have passed since the 29 January events, but the pressure and practices carried out during those days continue. There was beating and violence on 29 January. Today, perhaps there is no visible violence, but injustices against the Turkish people of Western Thrace continue at full speed."

Budur stated that the minority's rights continue to be violated today. He mentioned the pressures during Mufti elections, attempts to silence the Turkish Minority press, and financial and legal threats against minority leaders. He also highlighted that for years, students at the Xanthi Minority Secondary School and High School have been forced to study in poor conditions, sharing his personal experience as a student:

"As a student at the Xanthi Minority Secondary School, I experienced these difficulties firsthand. We know what we had to do just to get a seat in our classroom and what we suffered throughout the year. But these things didn’t stop us from being students of the Xanthi Minority Secondary School and High School."

Budur stressed that despite all the pressures, the Turkish people of Western Thrace will remain loyal to their cause, and he urged the youth to take over this struggle. He stated that today, the greatest power is knowledge and called on the youth:

"If we want to keep the spirit of the 29 January events alive, we must educate ourselves and specialize in every field. Whatever profession we want to pursue, we will strive to be the best in that field. We will always protect our culture and values and never compromise on them."

Budur concluded his speech by emphasizing that the struggle for the rights of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace will never end, and that the individuals of the minority will never give up their identity. He ended with the words: "For us, every place is Western Thrace, every day is 29 January."

Kerem Molla İsa, President of the New Generation Branch of the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union (GTGB)

After Mustafa Budur, the President of the Xanthi Turkish Union Youth Branch, Kerem Molla İsa, the President of the New Generation Branch of the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union, also took the floor at the "29 January National Resistance and Solidarity Day" event. In his speech, Molla İsa addressed the identity struggle of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and the challenges it faces today. He spoke to the attendees, stating:

"It is a great honor for me to speak in front of the elders who lived through the events of 29 January. We live the spirit of 29 January every day with our struggle for unity and solidarity against the denial of our ethnic identity."

Molla İsa highlighted the issues the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace faces in education, pointing out how teacher appointments to minority schools, outdated curricula, and the promotion of Greek high schools are attempts to take away their educational rights. He also emphasized that the quotas allocated for minorities at universities in Greece are part of assimilation policies, stating:

"They tried to separate us by sending us to different cities alone, but we managed to come together again through associations like the Young Academics Community. Because we carry this spirit."

Despite the pressures faced by the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, Molla İsa stressed that they must succeed in every field, saying, "We must be the best doctors, engineers, as well as the best farmers and tradesmen. We must be the best in every field while preserving our identity and culture."

He pointed out that the identity of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace is still denied in Greece, and even the term "Turk" is censored in academic studies. He also mentioned how the Greek minority in Türkiye can freely express their identity, but they are denied the same rights.

Molla İsa concluded his speech by urging that the 29 January events should not be seen as a trauma, but rather as a consciousness of preserving identity, saying, "We will continue to exist in these lands. As Dr. Sadık Ahmet said, we will continue our struggle by showing that we are quality individuals, doing the best job we can."

Eslem Ali Çavuş, Secretary General of the Young Academics Community (GAT)

Finally, Eslem Ali Çavuş, the Secretary General of the Young Academics Community (GAT) of the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association (BTAYTD), addressed the attendees.

Opening with greetings, Çavuş touched on the historical significance of the National Resistance and Solidarity Day. He emphasized the importance of preserving the social structure and cultural heritage in Western Thrace, stating, "We are the descendants of a society that has fought through many hardships and succeeded in preserving its culture and identity." He reminded the youth of their crucial responsibilities in this ongoing struggle.

In his speech, Çavuş underscored the importance of protecting language and cultural heritage, saying, "Speaking Turkish is not only a part of Western Thrace's historical fabric but also an important indicator of our identity."

He also highlighted the power of solidarity and unity, stating, "A society's strength comes from the strength of its weakest link." Çavuş emphasized the need for the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace to unite around common values.

Reminding the audience of the many challenges the people of Western Thrace have faced throughout history, Çavuş said, "This land has witnessed many hardships in the past, but it has always resisted and risen again." He stressed that the struggle should not only shed light on the past but also illuminate the future.

He concluded his speech with the words, "Remember, as the Turkish people of Western Thrace, we overcame difficulties by defending our freedom, identity, and culture. 29 January is the symbol of this struggle." Çavuş emphasized that the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace carries the responsibility of building a strong society for future generations.

Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of Xanthi

After the youth concluded their speeches, Mustafa Trampa, the Mufti of Xanthi, took the floor to deliver a speech on the significance of the day. He shared his thoughts on the denial of identity and the refusal to grant rights to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, referencing the march held on January 29, 1988, and the acts of vandalism against Turks and Turkish businesses on January 29, 1990.

In the first part of his speech, Mufti Trampa addressed the youth, saying, "In this land, we are the ones who speak the final word. Nothing ends until we say it does. As long as these young people exist, we see that everything has just begun. January 29 is the story of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. Every society has its story. Every society has its religious, national values, and culture. All of these form our national identity. National identity is the most fundamental right and truth for the Muslim Turks of Western Thrace. If you want to describe a society, the word 'truth' is very important. For us, January 29 and our values represent the emergence of our truth, and this is its manifestation. A nation that possesses truth will always preserve its values."

Concluding his speech, Trampa emphasized, "What is important here is the effort. On January 29, thousands of people did not come here for victory, but through their efforts, they opened the paths, came, and wrote history. That history was written as a result of effort. With these thoughts, I thank everyone who contributed to this organization."

Aykut Ünal, Consul General of Türkiye in Komotini

Finally, Aykut Ünal, the Consul General of Türkiye in Komotini, took the floor to show his support for the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace on this meaningful day.

Starting by greeting his fellow citizens, Consul General Ünal thanked the Advisory Board for organizing the event and congratulated the young speakers.

He concluded his speech by sharing the message released by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the January 29 National Resistance and Solidarity Day with the participants.

The message from the Ministry stated, "On the anniversary of the march, which has become a symbol of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority’s struggle for rights, we once again emphasize that we continue to advocate for the rights of our kinsmen based on international law and agreements, and that we stand by them at all times. We wish for the implementation of the rulings made by the European Court of Human Rights in favor of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority."

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