Turkish Consul General Aykut Ünal attends friday prayers at Hürriyet Mosque in İskeçe following vandalism incident

Earlier this week, unidentified individual(s) drew a cross on the exterior qibla wall of the mosque, an act that caused distress among members of the Western Thrace Turkish Muslim Minority. Community representatives described the timing—during Ramadan—as particularly sensitive.

Solidarity Visit During Friday Prayers

Consul General Ünal joined congregants for Friday prayers alongside Mustafa Trampa, Mufti of İskeçe, and a large number of worshippers. The visit was widely viewed within the community as a gesture of solidarity following the incident.

Speaking after the prayers, Ünal stated that actions targeting places of worship are unacceptable regardless of religion. He condemned the vandalism at Hürriyet Mosque, emphasizing that carrying out such an act during Ramadan had heightened concern within the community.

He also noted that expectations for a comprehensive investigation and the identification of those responsible had been conveyed to Greek counterparts, expressing hope that the matter would be addressed through appropriate legal channels.

In a statement shared on the official social media account of the Consulate General of Türkiye in Gümülcine, the mission said:

“We came together with our kinsmen during Friday prayers at Hürriyet Mosque in İskeçe, which was the target of a despicable act, and conveyed our wishes for a swift recovery.”

Mufti Trampa: “We Strongly Condemn This Act”

Following the prayer, Mufti Mustafa Trampa issued a public statement reiterating his condemnation of the vandalism.

He recalled that on the night of February 26, a cross was drawn on the outer wall of the mosque’s qibla side by unidentified individuals.

“Carrying out such a despicable act at our sacred place, especially during Ramadan, has deeply hurt and обеспed the Western Thrace Turkish Minority,” Trampa said. “We strongly condemn this act against our mosque and our community and hope that the perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice by the competent authorities as soon as possible.”

Trampa also expressed appreciation for Consul General Ünal’s presence during Friday prayers, describing it as meaningful support at a difficult time for the community.

Calls for Legal Accountability and Interfaith Respect

Community representatives have continued to call for a thorough investigation and reinforced protections for all places of worship in the region. They stressed that safeguarding religious sites and ensuring equal protection under the law are essential for maintaining social harmony in Western Thrace, where diverse religious communities have coexisted for generations.

Leaders emphasized that attacks on any house of worship — regardless of faith — undermine shared democratic values and the principle of peaceful coexistence.

Authorities are expected to proceed with an official inquiry into the incident.