Ramadan Iftar brings community together in Sirkeli Village

The Ramadan event took place on the evening of March 14 at the Sirkeli village mosque and brought together many guests from nearby villages, reflecting the strong sense of solidarity and hospitality within the local Turkish Muslim community.

Guests attending the gathering were welcomed in the mosque courtyard by members of the village trustee board and local residents before the breaking of the fast.

Community Iftar Strengthens Ramadan Traditions

As the call to prayer marked the end of the day’s fast, participants broke their fast together. The iftar prayer was led by Nusrettin Öztürk, a religious official affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Türkiye.

Following the meal, Ibrahim Serif, the Mufti of Gümülcine, delivered a short address emphasizing the spiritual significance of the holy month of Ramadan.

“I congratulate all of you in advance on Eid al-Fitr. May God grant us the opportunity to reach the Night of Power,” he said, referring to Laylat al-Qadr, one of the most sacred nights in Ramadan.

Youth Participation Highlighted

Mufti Serif also thanked the residents of Sirkeli for maintaining the annual tradition and noted the remarkable participation of young people in the organization.

He said that during Ramadan he had attended many iftar events but rarely witnessed such strong youth involvement. According to Serif, young volunteers actively helped serve guests, while women in the village contributed significantly to preparing and organizing the event.

Local Leaders Attend the Gathering

The event concluded with the evening prayer performed at the Sirkeli mosque.

Among those attending the communal iftar were Ibrahim Serif, Özgür Ferhat, a member of the Hellenic Parliament representing Rhodope, Sedat Hasan, president of the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Union, and Mehmet Bostancı and Metin Hacıosman, deputy leaders of the Friendship Equality Peace Party, along with local officials and many members of the community.