Mehmet Hilmi, one of the founders of Xanthi Turkish Union, commemorated at his grave
One of the founders of Xanthi Turkish Union (ITB), journalist - teacher Mehmet Hilmi was commemorated on Tuesday, 25 June on the 93rd anniversary of his death with a ceremony held at his grave in Xanthi Aşağımahalle Cemetery.
The annual commemoration ceremony organised by ITB was attended by the executives of the association and representatives of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
The ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Aydın Cambaz and continued with a prayer by Ahmet Hraloğlu, Deputy Mufti of Xanthi.
Xanthi Turkish Union President Ozan Ahmetoğlu gave information about the life of Mehmet Hilmi and his valuable services to the Western Thrace Turks. Ahmetoğlu said, "Although he passed away at a very young age, we bow respectfully in front of the cherished memory of Mehmet Hilmi, who has accomplished important works that contribute to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace even today, and we commemorate him with mercy. For 93 years, a person who is regularly commemorated at his grave. Mehmet Hilmi was among the team that pioneered the establishment of the Xanthi Turkish Union as well as the Komotini Turkish Youth Union, took part in the organisation of the tobacco workers in Xanthi, published a newspaper on behalf of the workers' union, published the first Turkish newspaper in Western Thrace, and also served the Turks of Western Thrace as a teacher. He is a great person of struggle who fit prison sentences and exile into his short life. We remember him once again with mercy and gratitude. May his place be heaven. A person of struggle who was accused, accused, subjected to prosecutions, investigations, prison sentences and exile at a very young age in his struggle for existence. A person who was brought to court many times and exiled three times. In his short life, he left many works and traces in the field of education and press, especially a plane tree like Xanthi Turkish Union. We commemorate him once again with mercy and respect. May his place be in heaven."
Afterwards, Hasan Bosnak, Vice President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Union, Mehmet Çilingir, Councillor of Sofulu Municipality, Hüseyin Baltacı, President of the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association, Ahmet Kurt, Mayor of Mustafçova, Çiğdem Asafoğlu, President of the FEP Party, Hüseyin Zeybek, MP of Xanthi and Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of Xanthi made speeches.
In the speeches, Mehmet Hilmi's services to the Turkish community in Western Thrace and his struggling personality were emphasised. In the speeches, it was expressed that in today's conditions, the struggle similar to the struggle of that period continues.
ITB President Ozan Ahmetoğlu thanked everyone who attended the ceremony.
