January 29 commemorated in İzmit

A commemoration event for January 29 was organized in İzmit by the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality and the Western Thrace Turks Solidarity Association (BTTDD) İzmit Branch.
The event was attended by Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) Abdullah Eren, BTTADK President and Mufti of Komotini İbrahim Şerif, BTTDD General President Hasan Küçük, BTTDD İzmit Branch President Yüksel Öztürk, President of the Association of Western Thrace Minority Higher Education Graduates Hüseyin Baltacı, BAKEŞ President Hüseyin Bostancı, BAKEŞ General Director Pervin Hayrullah, MHP Provincial President Tuncay Batı, DSP Provincial President Halim Dedeoğlu, BBP Kocaeli Provincial Coordinator Metehan Küpçü, as well as representatives from various political parties and a large number of citizens.
As part of the program, a march took place from Antikkapı to the National Resistance Monument, where carnations were laid in memory of the occasion.
"We Will Always Preserve Our National Consciousness"
Speaking at the event, Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Doç. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın addressed the challenges faced by Western Thrace Turks, stating:
"We will never forget the struggles of our ancestors and will always preserve our national consciousness."
He emphasized that this important date symbolizes the identity struggle of Western Thrace Turks, adding:
"January 29 is a symbol of the fight for identity and rights. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we will continue to support this stance."
Message of Unity and Solidarity
BTTADK President and Mufti of Komotini, İbrahim Şerif, expressed his happiness at seeing the unity and solidarity demonstrated by the Western Thrace Turks in İzmit.
BTTDD General President Hasan Küçük underlined the importance of togetherness and solidarity, stating:
"This spirit is our greatest strength"
YTB President Abdullah Eren reaffirmed the significance of January 29 as a symbol of the struggle to preserve the national identity of Western Thrace Turks, emphasizing:
"Turkey will always stand by the people of Western Thrace"
Finally, BTTDD İzmit Branch President Yüksel Öztürk expressed gratitude to those who participated and contributed to the event, affirming that the struggle of Western Thrace Turks will always continue.