Powerful message of brotherhood from Büyük Derbent Village
A strong message of unity and solidarity was delivered during the Ashura event organized by the Seçek Minority Education and Culture Association on Saturday, July 19, in the village of Büyük Derbent, located in the Meriç region.
As part of the event, the Sivas Folk Music Group performed under the auspices of the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture. Their concert, titled “Salutation to Imam Hussein,” featured emotional melodies from the Alevi-Bektashi cultural tradition and deeply moved the audience.
In his opening remarks, Seçek Association President Necmettin Kahya thanked the local community for hosting the event. Speaking about the brotherhood between Alevis and Bektashis, Kahya stated:
“In the past, every Muslim living within the political and cultural boundaries of Horasan, Anatolia, and Rumelia saw the month of Muharram as a time of abundance. Yet today, we must also see Muharram as a month of unity—of 'us'.”
He also recalled the tragedy of Karbala, noting that 1,387 years ago, on the 10th of Muharram in the year 61 of the Islamic calendar—Ashura Day—the Prophet Muhammad’s grandchildren and innocent children were brutally massacred in what is now Karbala.
Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat, expressing his deep connection with the local community, thanked the Seçek Association for organizing such a meaningful event.
“There is one key takeaway from this event: as long as we uphold our traditions and values, we are honoring our history and will continue to exist here. Once we realize that, we can pass it on with confidence to future generations,” he said.
Mufti of Komotini İbrahim Şerif began his speech by greeting the attendees and highlighting the significance of Muharram. He described it as a time filled with both sorrow and sweetness, underlining its importance in the Muslim world.
Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini, Aykut Ünal, also greeted the participants and thanked all who contributed to the organization.
“Ashura includes dozens of different flavors, and when combined, they create beauty and unity. We are beautiful together,” said Ünal.
“As someone who served professionally in Damascus, I deeply understand the meaning and importance of this day. I’ve walked the grounds of the Umayyad Mosque and witnessed the reverence firsthand. Muharram represents abundance and mourning. And when we move forward with the spirit of unity, events like tonight’s unfold beautifully.”
Consul General Ünal concluded by reflecting on his many years serving in Western Thrace, expressing his hope that the collective efforts and dedication would yield lasting results.
The event was attended by a wide range of distinguished guests, including Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini Aykut Ünal and his wife Ilyada Ünal, President of the FEP Party Çiğdem Asafoğlu, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Union Aydın Ahmet, President of the Turkish Youth Union of Komotini Sedat Hasan, Murat Ahmet representing the Western Thrace Minority University Graduates Association, President of the Thrace Agricultural Cooperative Erdi Şerif, Advisor to the Governor of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region Ahmet Osman Pehlivan, as well as several other leaders and representatives of minority institutions.
