ABTTF strongly condemns attack on Çınar Mosque in İskeçe

The Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) has strongly condemned the offensive graffiti written on the exterior wall of Çınar Mosque in İskeçe (Xanthi), calling for the incident to be investigated thoroughly and the perpetrators brought to justice.

Offensive expressions were written by unidentified individuals on the exterior wall near the entrance of Çınar Mosque on Sunday, September 13.

The ABTTF Executive Board and its wider community described the incident as a “ugly and provocative” act targeting the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.

In a statement, the organization said it would not remain silent in the face of hatred, discrimination and provocation targeting the minority and would continue to defend the community’s rights and social peace.

“It cannot be dismissed as simple vandalism”
ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu said the incident could not be treated merely as an act of vandalism.

“Targeting a sacred place belonging to the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace in this way once again exposes the dangerous level reached by the climate of hatred against us,” Habip Oğlu said.

He called on the relevant authorities in Greece to conduct an effective and comprehensive investigation, taking into account the possible motives behind the incident, and urged them to identify those responsible and bring them to justice as soon as possible.

Habip Oğlu also stressed that authorities must take decisive measures to prevent hate speech and acts targeting the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace from becoming more widespread.

“We strongly condemn this ugly and provocative act targeting the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace,” he said, calling on Greek authorities to address the incident not merely as a case of vandalism but as part of what he described as a deepening climate of hatred targeting the minority, and to take all necessary measures.