Cross symbol drawn on Hürriyet Mosque wall in İskeçe during Ramadan sparks outrage among Western Thrace Turkish Minority
A cross symbol and religious inscriptions were discovered on the outer qibla wall of the Hürriyet Mosque in İskeçe during the holy month of Ramadan, triggering strong reactions and concern among members of the Western Thrace Turkish Muslim Minority.
According to local sources, unidentified individual(s) drew a cross along with additional religious symbols on the exterior wall facing the qibla direction. The incident was reportedly noticed on the morning of Friday, February 27, and quickly drew public attention in the region.
Religious Symbols and “IC XC – NIKA” Inscription Found on Mosque Wall
Witnesses confirmed that alongside the cross, the inscriptions “IC XC – NIKA” were written on the wall.
The phrase is a Christogram commonly used in Eastern Orthodox tradition:
- IC → Iesous (Jesus)
- XC → Christos (Christ)
- NIKA → “Conquers” or “Wins”
The full meaning translates to: “Jesus Christ conquers” or “Jesus Christ is victorious.”
Community representatives stressed that the inclusion of explicitly religious language, combined with the timing during Ramadan, raised concerns that the act may have been a deliberate provocation.
Community Leaders Condemn the Incident
Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of İskeçe and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, strongly condemned the act.
In a written statement, Trampa said:
“On the night of Thursday, February 26, unidentified individual(s) drew a cross on the exterior wall of the qibla side of Hürriyet Mosque in İskeçe. This despicable act, carried out especially during the holy month of Ramadan, has deeply hurt and обеспed the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. We strongly condemn this attack against our mosque and our community and call on the authorities to identify and prosecute the perpetrators as soon as possible.”
Local minority representatives have urged Greek authorities to launch a thorough investigation and to enhance security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Concerns Over Social Harmony in Western Thrace
Western Thrace has long been home to a Muslim Turkish minority recognized under international agreements. Community members described the incident as an attempt to undermine interfaith coexistence in the region, where people of different religious backgrounds have historically lived side by side.
Observers noted that vandalism targeting places of worship carries symbolic weight beyond ordinary property damage, particularly when it involves sacred spaces during significant religious periods such as Ramadan.
Broader Context and Calls for Restraint
Community voices emphasized that attacks on religious sites — regardless of faith — threaten social cohesion and mutual respect. Representatives called for calm, legal accountability, and protection of freedom of religion.
They reiterated that preserving peace in Western Thrace requires equal citizenship, rule of law, and genuine respect for religious diversity.
Authorities are expected to open an official investigation into the incident.
