Victory Party leader Ümit Özdağ visits Western Thrace on January 29 National Resistance Day

As part of the visit, Özdağ and his delegation took part in commemorative events and held a series of meetings with representatives of the Turkish minority institutions, focusing on current challenges facing the community and issues related to rights, identity, and representation.

Meetings with Diplomatic and Religious Representatives
The delegation’s first stop was the Turkish Consulate General in Gümülcine, where they met with Consul General Aykut Ünal. Discussions focused on recent developments in the region and the broader situation of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace.

Following the meeting in Komotini, the delegation traveled to İskeçe, where they visited the İskeçe Mufti Office and met with Mustafa Trampa, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Consultative Board and Mufti of İskeçe.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the current issues faced by the Turkish Minority, the role of the Mufti institution in community life, and recent developments affecting religious representation and fundamental rights.

Mufti Trampa emphasized that the Mufti Office is not only a religious institution but also plays a vital social, cultural, and identity-related role for the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace. Issues related to freedom of religion, minority rights, and democratic representation were also discussed.

The visit concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with Mufti Trampa thanking Özdağ and his delegation for their interest and support.

Visit to the İskeçe Turkish Union
As part of the program, Özdağ and his delegation also visited the İskeçe Turkish Union (İTB), where they were welcomed by İTB President Kerem Abdurrahimoğlu and members of the association’s leadership.

Abdurrahimoğlu expressed appreciation for the visit and briefed the delegation on the historical background of the İskeçe Turkish Union, as well as its long-standing legal struggle for recognition and minority rights.

Paying Respects to Former Muftis
Before departing İskeçe, Özdağ and the accompanying delegation visited the graves of late İskeçe Muftis Mehmet Emin Aga and Ahmet Mete, where prayers were offered in their memory.

The visit was presented as a gesture of solidarity with the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace on a date that holds deep historical and symbolic significance for the community.