Community iftar held in Demirbeyli Village
A large communal iftar was organized in Demirbeyli, a village under the jurisdiction of the Maroneia Municipality, on the evening of Sunday, March 16, 2025. The event brought together hundreds of Turkish minority members from Western Thrace, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration.
The iftar took place in the village square, where young men and women of Demirbeyli demonstrated great hospitality, earning praise from attendees. Guests from neighboring villages, local minority leaders, and distinguished figures from both Western Thrace and Türkiye participated in the gathering.
Among the notable attendees from Western Thrace were Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini, Aykut Ünal, and his wife, İlayda Ünal, along with deputy consuls. Also present were Mufti of Komotini İbrahim Şerif, Deputy Mufti Fehim Ahmet, DEB Party President Çiğdem Asafoğlu, Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat, former MP Ahmet Hacıosman, and various regional and municipal officials.
Representatives from Turkey included AK Party Edirne MP Fatma Aksal, Edirne Deputy Governor and İpsala District Governor Ömer Sevgili, Deputy Governor Sıdkı Zehin, and İpsala Mayor Mehmet Kerman, among others.
Following the call to prayer, attendees broke their fast together. Mufti İbrahim Şerif led a prayer and expressed his gratitude, saying, “This evening, we have come together in Demirbeyli, showcasing our brotherhood and solidarity. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people and youth of Demirbeyli for hosting this beautiful iftar.”
Consul General Aykut Ünal also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the growing spirit of unity in each iftar he attended. He commended the efforts of the local youth, particularly those wearing red shirts, for their dedication to organizing the event.
Deputy Governor and İpsala District Governor Ömer Sevgili, representing Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer, also greeted the attendees. Highlighting the strong ties between Western Thrace and Türkiye, he stated, “There may be a physical border between us, but the real bridge is the bond of our hearts. As long as you preserve your traditions and values, we will always be by your side.” He also extended an invitation to the large Edirne iftar scheduled for March 25.
After the speeches, participants performed the evening prayer together and later enjoyed traditional coffee while engaging in friendly conversations.
