Rodoplu commemorated at his grave on the 4th anniversary of his passing
Ismail Rodoplu, one of the leading figures in the struggle for the rights of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and a former member of parliament, was remembered with prayers on the 4th anniversary of his death. The commemoration ceremony, organized by the Western Thrace Minority Higher Education Association (BTAYTD), took place at his gravesite in Semetli village, near Gümülcine.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including the President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board and Elected Mufti of Gümülcine, İbrahim Şerif, the President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Union, Aydın Ahmet, BTAYTD President Hüseyin Baltacı, as well as Rodoplu's wife Ayşe Rodoplu, his daughters Sevgi and Sevda Rodoplu, and numerous members of the Western Thrace Turkish community.
During the ceremony, Mufti İbrahim Şerif emphasized Rodoplu's integrity and the deep respect he commanded, noting the lasting impact Rodoplu had on many people's lives. He also recalled the challenging period when he, along with Sadık Ahmet and Rodoplu, ran as candidates, mentioning that while Sadık Ahmet and he were not accepted as candidates, Rodoplu succeeded in entering parliament as an independent.
BTAYTD President Hüseyin Baltacı highlighted in his speech the significance of Rodoplu's efforts and his colleagues' struggles for the rights of the Western Thrace Turks, urging that their example be followed.
Who Was İsmail Rodoplu?
Born in 1938 in Semetli village, near Gümülcine in Western Thrace, İsmail Rodoplu played a vital role in advocating for the rights of the Turkish minority, bringing their issues to international platforms. He was one of the founders of the Western Thrace Minority Higher Education Association in 1982 and served as its president from 1983 to 1992. During his tenure, he actively defended the educational rights of the Western Thrace Turks and worked to protect the community's rights.
In 1977, Rodoplu established the newspaper "Gerçek," which became a voice for the minority community, continuing the freedom struggle through the press. He also played a crucial role in the "independent list movement," a pivotal moment in the political history of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace. In the general elections of November 5, 1989, Rodoplu was elected as an independent member of the Hellenic Parliament, serving until 1990.
