Bahri Belço gives statement regarding the Friday provocation by appointed muftis
The investigation into the Friday provocation by appointed muftis at the Çınar Mosque in Xanthi continues, with Bahri Belço, Deputy Chairman of the FEP Party, giving a statement to the Xanthi Police Department.
Earlier, Hüseyin Baltacı, President of the Western Thrace Minority Graduates Association, and Ozan Ahmetoğlu, President of the Xanthi Turkish Union, were also called in to give statements as part of the investigation.
On October 11, 2024, appointed muftis, imposed by the Greek government against the free will of the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish community, attempted to provoke the congregation at the Çınar Mosque during the Friday prayer. However, they were met with strong resistance from the community, which responded with chants like "We will not pray with you," "Our mufti is inside," and "Fear Allah, how will you answer to Him?" As a result, the muftis left the mosque.
The incident drew attention due to its timing, occurring right after the opening ceremony of the Xanthi Madrasa, which was attended by Yorgos Kalancis, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education’s Religious Affairs.
Following the incident, the appointed muftis did not officially file a complaint, but an investigation was initiated by the state after an extremist-right member of parliament submitted a parliamentary question.
Bahri Belço, who was called to give his statement today, shared the following on his social media:
“On October 11, 2024, regarding the provocation attempt during the Friday prayer at the Çınar Mosque in Xanthi, which targeted the peace and unity of the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority, I was summoned to give a statement to the Xanthi Police Department. Resolving the mufti issue is one of the primary demands of our community.”
