Ozan Ahmetoğlu summoned for questioning over friday prayer provocation involving appointed muftis
Ozan Ahmetoğlu, the President of the İskeçe Turkish Union, has been summoned for questioning by the İskeçe Police Department following an incident involving appointed muftis during the Friday prayers on October 11. This incident occurred at the Çınar Mosque in İskeçe, when the appointed muftis were denied entry to the mosque by the congregation.
The investigation stems from the events that transpired after the opening ceremony of the İskeçe Madrasa, during which the appointed muftis attempted to enter the Çınar Mosque to lead the Friday prayers, but the mosque’s congregation refused to allow their entry. In connection with this, Ahmetoğlu was called to provide a statement to the police on December 4, 2024.
In his statement on social media, Ahmetoğlu expressed his concerns, stating:
"Regarding the events that took place when the appointed muftis, whom the Turkish minority in Western Thrace does not recognize or accept, arrived at the Çınar Mosque on October 11 during Friday prayers, I have been summoned for questioning by the İskeçe Police as part of the investigation. As with many issues concerning the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, the failure to resolve the Mufti issue continues to create new problems and provoke tensions that target our community."
The dispute over the appointment of muftis, a key issue for the Turkish minority, has long been a source of tension in the region.
