Mustafa Trampa issues Ramadan Message emphasizing unity, faith and cultural awareness
Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of İskeçe and President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board, has released a comprehensive message ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, highlighting spiritual renewal, communal solidarity and the importance of preserving religious and cultural identity.
Ramadan Begins February 19
According to the announcement, Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, with the first Tarawih prayer to be performed on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, followed by the first pre-dawn meal (suhoor) the same night.
In his address titled “Ramadan, the Month of the Qur’an”, Mufti Trampa described the holy month as a period of mercy, forgiveness and salvation, rooted in the revelation of the Qur’an.
Quoting verses from Surah Al-Baqarah (183 and 185), he emphasized that fasting is prescribed as a means of attaining piety and spiritual discipline.
“Ramadan Is More Than Fasting”
Trampa underlined that fasting extends beyond abstaining from food and drink, describing it as:
- Opening the heart to God
- Strengthening moral awareness
- Practicing patience and compassion
- Increasing charity and social solidarity
He referenced prophetic traditions noting that during Ramadan “the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and devils are chained,” reinforcing the spiritual significance of the month.
Call for Community Solidarity and Reconciliation
Addressing the Muslim Turkish minority in Western Thrace, the Mufti urged believers to:
- Strengthen unity and brotherhood
- Abandon resentment and seek reconciliation
- Care for the elderly and show affection to children
- Increase charitable giving, including zakat and fitr
- Participate collectively in prayers and religious gatherings
He described Ramadan as a “harvest season of a lifetime,” where worship, Qur’anic recitation, night prayers and acts of kindness culminate in spiritual elevation.
Warning Against Cultural Assimilation
In a notable segment of his message, Trampa raised concerns about what he described as assimilation efforts targeting minority youth.
He cited the organization of a Kalanda event — a tradition historically associated with Orthodox Christian customs — at a school attended exclusively by Muslim Turkish students as an example requiring vigilance.
The Mufti called on families to prioritize minority schools offering education in both Turkish and Greek, stressing the importance of safeguarding religious and national identity.
“We are all in the same ship,” he said, urging collective responsibility to protect future generations.
Prayer for Peace and Unity
Concluding his message, Mufti Trampa expressed hope that Ramadan would bring unity and prosperity to the Islamic world and the broader Turkish world, while also contributing to global peace and harmony.
