Mufti of Xanthi releases statement on Hıdırellez
In his statement, Trampa, who also serves as the President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Council, elaborated on the historical, religious, and cultural aspects of Hıdırellez, as well as its connection to nature.
The full text of his statement is as follows:
HIDIRELLEZ: LET'S TAKE CARE OF OUR NATURE
Dear Muslim Turkish Brothers,
Since ancient times, various festivals have been celebrated by societies for different reasons and beliefs. One of these is "Hıdırellez." Marking the beginning of summer, Hıdırellez is a festival that, according to Turkish-Islamic tradition, is celebrated on May 6 by going to picnic spots. The name "Hıdırellez" is derived from the popular fusion of the names of "Hızır" and "Ilyas."
In the ancient calendar, the year was divided into two parts: "Hızır" and "Kasım" days. On May 6, the "Hızır" days began, heralding the summer, which lasts for 186 days until November 8. Afterward, the "Kasım" days of winter begin and last for 179 days (or 180 days in leap years).
Hızır (a.s.), who is mentioned as a wali or prophet in the Quran (Surah Kahf, 65), is said to bring life to barren places. This is why the day marking the beginning of the green season was named "Hıdır" (Green) day, and it is also referred to as Hıdırellez due to the belief that Hızır and Ilyas meet on this day.
Islam acknowledges Hızır (a.s.) and Ilyas (a.s.) as beloved servants of Allah, but does not designate a sacred day for them. The widely celebrated Hıdırellez in the Turkish world, however, has no religious status in Islam. It started as an expression of joy for the arrival of spring and the revival of nature, and over time, through various legends, it became a traditional folk festival with religious connotations.
A significant aspect of Hıdırellez in our culture is the respect shown to nature. Both our faith's teachings and the traditions of Turkish-Islamic culture emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with trees, earth, and water. Our responsibilities in this regard can be summarized as follows:
a- Increasing greenery as much as possible,
b- Keeping nature clean,
c- Using water without wasting it,
d- Avoiding unnecessary cutting of trees,
e- Not polluting the air and soil,
f- Cleaning our environment from waste,
g- Ensuring that the sea and coasts are maintained in harmony with nature,
h- Staying away from actions that may cause fires,
i- Most importantly, teaching and instilling these responsibilities in our children.
Dear Brothers,
Our exalted Lord mentions in Surah Rahman that He created everything in balance, from the sun and moon to plants and trees, and warns us not to disturb this balance (Rahman, 55:8). In Surah Rum, it is stated that "the corruption that spreads on land and sea is due to what people's hands have earned; and so Allah lets them taste a portion of what they have done" (Rum, 30:41), reminding us of the consequences of disrupting this balance.
Therefore, Hıdırellez should serve as a reminder to restore our harmony with nature. It is essential for us to ensure that our forests remain protected against fires and avoid any actions that may pose a threat. Unnecessary tree cutting is both un-Islamic and immoral. Additionally, we must teach our children about the creator of nature—Allah—and how all creatures He has created are not in vain.
From another perspective, festivals like Hıdırellez also play a role in strengthening societal unity and camaraderie. These events bring people together, allowing them to share joy, enjoy picnics, trips, and entertainments, and create lasting friendships. We know that now, more than ever, we need unity. Thus, we must value everything that promotes cooperation, mutual assistance, fellowship, and brotherhood.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize the importance of preserving our unity, brotherhood, and cultural beauty, and I will end my words with the beautiful couplet of Mevlânâ:
"Stone does not bloom, even if spring has arrived. Be the earth, and see how roses bloom."
"You were like stone, breaking many hearts; enough! Be the earth, and beautiful roses will bloom on you."
