“A lifetime devoted to the homeland: Mustafa Kırımoğlu” program held at YTB
A program titled “A Lifetime Devoted to the Homeland: Mustafa Kırımoğlu – Loyalty and Book Launch” was held at the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), hosted by YTB in cooperation with the Crimean Turks Culture and Mutual Aid Association, with the participation of the national leader of the Crimean Tatar people, Mustafa Kırımoğlu.
The event brought together Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam, YTB President Abdulhadi Turus, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Nariman Celal, Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu, National Leader of the Crimean Tatars and Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, along with numerous guests.
Speeches delivered during the program focused on the long-standing struggle of the Crimean Tatar people.
Deputy Minister Serdar Çam highlighted that one of Kırımoğlu’s most distinctive qualities is his commitment not to death or violence, but to life and the preservation of life, describing this approach as deeply significant. Referring to Kırımoğlu’s past experiences, Çam stated that all nations striving for freedom and independence are in need of Kırımoğlu’s political struggle methodology.
YTB President Abdulhadi Turus emphasized that throughout history, the Crimean Tatar people have been tested by deportations, policies of forced assimilation, and systematic oppression, yet despite these severe trials, they have produced strong intellectuals and influential figures.
“Even in the darkest times, these intellectuals kept the will to exist alive and illuminated the path of the Crimean Tatars and the Turkic world,” Turus said, stressing that although Crimean Tatars were deported thousands of kilometers away from their homeland, their hearts have always remained in Crimea.
In his remarks, Mustafa Kırımoğlu praised YTB’s efforts, saying, “I am extremely pleased with your work. May God bless you.” He recalled the heavy losses suffered during the 1944 deportation and noted that Crimea was once again occupied by Russia in 2014.
Kırımoğlu stated that Crimean Tatars were forced to leave their homeland and were deported to various parts of the world, underlining the risk of losing national identity faced by displaced peoples. He also expressed gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and to Türkiye for their continued support, saying, “Türkiye’s position is very important for us.”
Following the program, the newly published book was presented as a gift to the participants.
