Gümülcine mufti İbrahim Şerif thanks those who attended his wife’s funeral

In a message of thanks, Şerif said the support, solidarity and expressions of sympathy shown to his family had provided them with significant comfort during their time of grief.

Officials and community representatives thanked
Şerif specifically thanked Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine, Aykut Ünal, and his wife İlayda Ünal, as well as Mustafa Trampa, the Elected Mufti of İskeçe and chairman of the Consultative Council of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.

He also expressed his gratitude to Edirne MP Fatma Aksal, İpsala District Governor Hayrettin Buğra Güzel and İpsala Mayor Mehmet Kerman for attending the funeral.

The Gümülcine Mufti also thanked Rodop MP, representatives of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region, mayors, civil society organizations and political parties in Greece and abroad that published condolence messages.

His message also included colleagues, religious officials, political and civil society representatives, and members of the minority press.

Thanks extended to the wider Western Thrace community
Şerif emphasized that his gratitude extended beyond those who attended the funeral in person.

He also thanked relatives, friends and members of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority who offered condolences by telephone, private messages or through the Gümülcine Mufti’s social media accounts, as well as those who prayed for his late wife.

“The loyalty, closeness, kindness and solidarity you showed our family during this painful time have been a valuable and meaningful source of comfort,” Şerif said in his message.

He concluded by praying for mercy for all those who have passed away and wishing the community a long, healthy and blessed life.

Celile Şerif died on August 5, 2026. Her funeral brought together representatives of Türkiye and the Western Thrace Turkish community, as well as local political, religious and civil society figures.