Mehmet Emin Aga commemorated on 20th anniversary of his death
The commemoration ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Lower Neighborhood Cemetery in İskeçe, bringing together representatives of the Turkish minority community and local institutions.
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND CEREMONY
The ceremony was attended by Mustafa Trampa, President of the Consultative Council of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and Mufti of İskeçe, Aykut Ünal, Consul General of Türkiye in Gümülcine (Komotini), members of parliament, mayors, representatives of minority institutions and organizations, religious officials, members of the press and a large number of members of the Turkish community in Western Thrace.
The program began with a recitation from the Quran and prayers. Speakers reflected on Mehmet Emin Aga’s role in the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace’s struggle for its rights, religious freedoms and identity.
HIS DETERMINED STANCE HIGHLIGHTED
Speakers at the ceremony emphasized Aga’s commitment to defending the community’s religious and national rights, as well as his strong ties with the Turkish minority.
They recalled that Aga faced various forms of pressure throughout his life, was repeatedly brought before the courts and was subjected to physical violence. Despite these challenges, speakers said, he continued his efforts to defend the community’s rights and serve its members.
Aga was remembered not only as a religious leader but also as a figure who holds a significant place in the Western Thrace Turkish community’s religious freedom, identity and collective memory.
“HIS LEGACY SHOULD BE PASSED ON”
İskeçe Mufti Mustafa Trampa said Mehmet Emin Aga held an important place in the national and spiritual life of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, stressing that his legacy of struggle should not be forgotten and should be passed on to younger generations.
Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine, Aykut Ünal, also highlighted Aga’s role in the Western Thrace Turkish minority’s pursuit of its rights and the lasting mark he left on the community’s collective memory.
Speaking on behalf of the Aga family, Mehmet Emin Aga’s son Mustafa Aga also addressed the gathering. Short speeches were additionally delivered by Ozan Ahmetoğlu, President of the Board of the İskeçe Minority Middle and High School; Kerem Abdurrahimoğlu, President of the Turkish Union of İskeçe; Mustafçova Mayor Ahmet Kurt; DEB Party Deputy Chairman Bahri Belço; and İskeçe MP Hüseyin Zeybek.
The ceremony concluded with prayers and expressions of remembrance, mercy and gratitude for Mehmet Emin Aga and for all those who devoted their lives to protecting the religious, national and cultural values of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.
