Rain prayer held in Dündarlı village after 50 years

The event took place on Friday, August 21, following the afternoon prayer and brought together residents of Dündarlı and members of the Western Thrace Turkish community from surrounding villages.

Among those attending were Türkiye’s Consul General in Gümülcine Aykut Ünal, Gümülcine Mufti İbrahim Şerif, Deputy Mufti Fehim Ahmet, former Kozlukebir Mayor İbrahim Şerif, and former Bursa Osmangazi Mayor Mustafa Dündar, who is originally from Dündarlı, along with his delegation from Türkiye.

Quran recitations and prayers
The program featured Quran recitations by Hafiz Harun and Arda, both originally from Dündarlı and visiting from Bursa, as well as Tahsin Karanfil, the retired imam of Bursa’s Ulu Mosque, and current imam Ayhan Polat.

Following the recitation of the Mevlid-i Şerif, prayers were offered for the community.

Deputy Mufti Fehim Ahmet then led the rain prayer, with participants praying for rainfall and abundance needed by the soil, animals and people of the region.

A gathering promoting unity and solidarity
The community gathering, revived after approximately half a century, was held with broad participation from Dündarlı residents and members of the Western Thrace Turkish community from neighboring villages.

Organizers expressed their appreciation to the residents of Dündarlı and the village trustees who contributed to the event, as well as Sabri Mümin, who undertook and sponsored the catering arrangements.

Thanks were also extended to former Kozlukebir Mayor İbrahim Şerif, Dündarlı imam-hatip Süleyman Ali, residents from surrounding villages and other guests who attended the program.

Bayram Kalem and Erol Yoluç, president of the Association of Religious Officials of Western Thrace Mosques, were also thanked for coordinating transportation and arrangements for participants traveling from Bursa to Dündarlı.

The community also expressed its appreciation for Consul General Aykut Ünal’s participation and wished him success during the remainder of his diplomatic service.

The rain prayer ceremony concluded with messages of unity, solidarity and community cooperation. Participants also extended greetings on the occasion of Mevlid Kandili, praying for the acceptance of their prayers and charitable deeds and for abundance and mercy to reach the region.