We remember the man of the action Feyzullah Hasankahya with mercy on the 4th anniversary of his death
We commemorate Feyzullah Hasankâhya, who left his mark with his struggle against injustice in Western Thrace and dedicated his life to the struggle for the existence of Western Thrace Turks, with mercy and gratitude on the 4th anniversary of his death.
FEYZULLAH HASANKAHYA, A MAN OF ACTION WHO NEVER SHUT UP IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE
Journalist and author Feyzullah Hasankahya, one of the opinion leaders of the Muslim Turkish Minority of Western Thrace, was born in Demircik village of Xanthi in 1965. After finishing primary school in his village, he went to Istanbul for a better education after 3 years of special education in his village because Western Thrace Turks faced the problem of issuing passports.
In 1981, he enrolled in Fatih İsmailağa Qur'an Course affiliated to the Presidency of Religious Affairs in Istanbul, where he completed his education. He studied Islamic sciences in the same institution until he went to military service. During this period, he graduated from Imam Hatip High School by passing external exams in parallel.
In 1985, he interrupted his education and returned to Greece and did military service for 18 months. In 1986, after his military service, he went back to İsmailağa Quran Course to complete his education. In 1989, he completed his education here and received his icazet and in the same year he enrolled in Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Theology.
In 1993, Hasankahya, who graduated from Bursa Uludağ University Faculty of Theology, returned to Western Thrace in the same year and worked in various positions in the Preaching and Irshad committee of the Muftiate of Xanthi. With his work here, he preached in mosques in Western Thrace, spoke at panels and conferences, and was instrumental in raising thousands of students and hafiz.
He worked for the recording of Turkish Islamic artefacts and inscriptions in Western Thrace. In order to achieve this goal, he specialised in history at Trakya University.
Hasankahya, who was among the founders of Millet Newspaper published in Xanthi, bravely expressed the injustices done to the Turkish minority in his column in the newspaper for years. He did not remain silent in the face of injustices done to the minority and despite his chronic illness, he continued his tireless struggle for what he believed in.
He took part in the establishment of Çınar Association together with his friends and held various positions in the board of directors of the association until his death. He took part in the management team of Çınar FM, the news and culture radio of Western Thrace run by Çınar Association. He prepared and presented the programme "Çınaraltı Sohbetleri" for many years together with the president of the association and journalist-writer Cengiz Ömer, responsible for Millet newspaper.
Hasankahya, who criticised the appointments to the mufti offices in Xanthi and Komotini in his articles in Millet newspaper, was sentenced to 15 months in prison. There were many lawsuits filed against Hasankahya by the Greek state due to his writings in the newspaper.
Feyzullah Hasankahya, who devoted his life to the struggle for the existence of Western Thrace Turks, passed away on Saturday, 21 March 2020 in the intensive care unit of Xanthi State Hospital where he stayed for more than 20 days due to the Chronic Tuberculosis (Tuberculosis) disease he had been fighting for more than 30 years. On Sunday 22 March, he was sent off to eternity with the funeral ceremony attended by his loved ones in Demircik village where he was born.
Feyzullah Hasankahya, who served the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Community by working in the main institutions of Western Thrace Turks for more than 30 years despite having serious health problems, was an exemplary case person.
We commemorate with respect and gratitude the unforgettable struggle person Feyzullah Hasankahya, who left a valuable legacy to be taken as an example for those left behind with his works and writings, and we wish him mercy from Allah and fortitude to his relatives once again.
"AS AN UNFORGETTABLE PERSONALITY, HIS PRESENCE AND LONGING WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US"
Enes Hasankâhya, the eldest son of the man of the cause Feyzullah Hasankâhya, published a message on his social media account on the occasion of the 4th anniversary of his father's death.
Apart from his eldest son Enes, Feyzullah Hasankâhya has two sons, Numan and Turan, and a daughter, Ayşenur.
In his message, Enes Hasakâhya also expressed his deep sorrow for the loss of his mother in recent days:
"Four years ago (21.03.2020) today, we feel the pain of losing our beloved father in our hearts like the first day.
We would like to look back and smile with his memories and at the same time wrap our hearts with longing and prayer.
The love, advice and memories that our father gave us throughout his life continue to beautify our lives.
As an unforgettable personality, his presence and longing will always be with us.
However, we are faced with a situation that deepens our pain.
Only 18 days ago (04.03.2024) we also lost our mother!
Our hearts were twisted by this pain and are still bleeding freshly.
The absence of our mother 4 years after the death of our father left a deep void in our lives.
However, we stand firmly in our faith and with the confidence that our Lord will make their places paradise.
Our prayers wish their souls to rest in peace and we bid them farewell with prayers.
We would like to thank our friends and loved ones who stood by our family during these difficult times.
Your support and prayers keep us standing.
We will forever remember our father and mother with longing, love, prayer and mercy.
May Allah make the place of both of them paradise and may He grant us to meet them in His paradise.
Al-Fatiha to their souls"
