Özgür Özel: "Elected Muftis in Western Thrace are also opinion leaders"

Özgür Özel, Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in Türkiye, said in his speech at the 7th Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of Balkan Rumelia Turks in Bursa that they attach great importance to the problems of Turks living in the Balkans.

In his speech, Özel also touched upon the problems of Western Thrace Turks. Özel said, "While 231 minority schools were operating in Greece in 1995, today there are 86 minority schools." Özgür Özel also touched upon the importance of muftis in Western Thrace and stated that the duties of the office of the mufti are not limited to religious education and freedom of worship, and that muftis are elected wing leaders who ensure the continuation of a right gained in Lausanne.

Özel said, "The office of mufti is of course important. But they do not only have duties related to religious education and freedom of worship. They are elected opinion leaders there. They are doing a very important job that ensures the continuation of a right gained in Lausanne and represents Türkiye's and all of us's presence there."

Noting that the non-governmental organizations in Western Thrace are fighting for a very important right, Özel stated that those who work there act with the interests of the society in mind. Özgür Özel called on the municipalities in Turkey to fulfill the demands of the Balkan Turks. Özgür Özel also commemorated the late leader of the Western Thrace Turks Dr. Sadık Ahmet and Mümin Gençoğlu, one of the prominent figures of the Bulgarian Turks, with mercy. Özel added that he would like to visit Balkan countries until the end of the year.

PHOTO: AA