Büyük Derbent Community continues its iftar tradition
The annual iftar dinner in Büyük Derbent, a village in the Meriç region, once again brought together members of the local Turkish community on the evening of Sunday, March 9.
As the call to prayer marked the time to break the fast, Dr. Süleyman Taş, a religious official from the Kocaeli Mufti’s Office in Turkey, led the iftar prayer. During the program, the village’s first religious official, Mehmet Bölükbaşı, delivered a welcome speech, extending his gratitude to all attendees, especially Turkey’s Consul General in Komotini, Aykut Ünal. Bölükbaşı also expressed appreciation for those who contributed to organizing the event.
Komotini Mufti İbrahim Şerif congratulated the Western Thrace Turkish minority on the occasion of Ramadan, thanking the people of Kartunça Mahalle and Büyük Derbent for their efforts in preparing the iftar. He stated, "May Allah strengthen and expand our unity and solidarity. I wish for many more Ramadans filled with health and peace." He also extended his thanks to Dr. Süleyman Taş and Consul General Aykut Ünal for their support.
In his speech, Consul General Aykut Ünal expressed his gratitude to Dr. Süleyman Taş for his contributions during Ramadan and commended the village community and organizers for their dedication to keeping this tradition alive.
The iftar gathering was attended by notable figures, including Consul General Aykut Ünal and his wife, İlayda Ünal; Komotini Mufti İbrahim Şerif; President of the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association, Hüseyin Baltacı; Secretary General Murat Ahmet; President of the Friendship, Equality, and Peace (DEB) Party, Çiğdem Asafoğlu; DEB Vice President and Small Derbent Village Head, Mehmet Bostancı; Sofulu Municipality Council Member, Mehmet Çilingir; President of the Komotini Turkish Youth Union, Sedat Hasan; President of the Southern Meriç Cultural and Education Association, Mahmut Hüseyin; and President of the Didymoteicho Muslims’ Education and Cultural Association, Süleyman Macır, along with many other members of the Turkish minority.
The traditional iftar gathering concluded with an emphasis on unity and solidarity.
