Mufti Office of Xanthi participates in International Family Fair in Ankara
The Mufti Office of Xanthi represented the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace at the International Family Fair, jointly organized by Türkiye's Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and the Turkish Diyanet Foundation (TDV). The event was held at Ankara ATO Congresium from June 27 to 29, under the theme “Family and Goodness”.
Organized as part of 2025 Family Year, the fair welcomed nearly 30,000 visitors and featured over 40 civil society organizations showcasing their family-centered initiatives.
Representing the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, the Mufti Office of Xanthi stood out with its authentic and cultural approaches to the institution of family. The booth, prepared with the motto “Being a family in Western Thrace means preserving religion, language, and culture”, shared various efforts aimed at safeguarding the region’s family structure.
Throughout the event, the Xanthi Mufti Office booth received visits from numerous notable figures and engaged in meaningful dialogue with attendees. Among the distinguished visitors were:
Mustafa Özdemir, Founder of Mehir Foundation
Prof. Dr. Ali Öge, Mufti of Konya
Prof. Dr. Saffet Köse, Rector of İzmir Katip Çelebi University
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sevde Düzgüner, Marmara University Faculty of Theology
Hatice Kahyaoğlu, Director of TDV Women's, Family, and Volunteering Services
Prof. Dr. Asım Yapıcı, Ankara Social Sciences University Faculty of Islamic Studies
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
Selahaddin Çelebi, Religious Services Counselor in Austria
Prof. Dr. Huriye Martı, Vice President of the Presidency of Religious Affairs
Fatih Ünal, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Council Member and AK Party Spokesperson
Prof. Dr. Emir Kaya, Head of Public Law Department, ASBU Faculty of Law
Prof. Dr. Bekir Armağan, Education Specialist at Ankara Mufti Office
On the third day of the fair, Hülya Giritli, Head of Family Services in Xanthi, gave a speech at the conference titled “Family as a Common Value Across Different Geographies.” Her remarks about the family structure in Western Thrace drew attention, particularly her statement:
“In Western Thrace, the family stands on three pillars: religion, language, and tradition. If one is missing, the family begins to bleed.”
This powerful message resonated strongly with the audience and left a lasting impression.
The Xanthi Mufti Office delegation also included religious officers Yıldız Uzun and Safiye Karasalih, who actively supported promotional and engagement efforts during the fair.
At the closing ceremony, greetings from Mufti of Xanthi Mustafa Trampa were delivered, and all contributors to the fair were thanked. A plaque of appreciation was presented to the Xanthi Mufti Office by Diyanet Vice President Prof. Dr. Huriye Martı.
The Mufti Office's emphasis on the family’s central role in preserving cultural identity received wide praise from visitors. The International Family Fair concluded successfully after three days of rich content and high participation.
