Western Thrace Thrace Muftis meet president Erdoğan at Selimiye Mosque reopening ceremony in Edirne
The Muftis of Western Thrace, Mustafa Trampa and İbrahim Şerif, met with Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a historic ceremony marking the reopening of the restored Selimiye Mosque in Edirne following four years of extensive restoration work.
The reopening ceremony of the 450-year-old Selimiye Mosque, widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, was held on Friday, June 12, 2026, with President Erdoğan in attendance. Authorities reported that approximately 32,000 people participated in the event.
Selimiye Mosque was reopened for worship after the most comprehensive restoration in its history, carried out to preserve its architectural integrity in line with its UNESCO World Heritage status.
The ceremony drew religious leaders and invited guests from several Balkan countries. Among the attendees were Mustafa Trampa, President of the Advisory Board of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and Mufti of İskeçe, and İbrahim Şerif, Mufti of Gümülcine, who met with President Erdoğan during the program.
In a social media post following the event, Mufti Mustafa Trampa described the day as historic, stating that they witnessed the reopening of Selimiye Mosque in what he called a landmark moment for Edirne and the broader region.
Large numbers of Western Thrace Turks also traveled to Edirne to attend the ceremony, with reports indicating that organized groups arrived by bus to take part in the reopening celebrations.
In his address, President Erdoğan said that 32,000 citizens were present at the ceremony and highlighted the architectural and historical significance of Selimiye Mosque, describing it as one of the most important works of both Turkish-Islamic and world architecture.
Erdoğan also announced that restoration efforts at the historic Edirne Palace are expected to be completed by the end of 2027, describing it as one of the largest heritage revitalization projects in Europe.
Selimiye Mosque, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to stand as a major symbol of Ottoman architectural heritage and cultural identity following its restoration and reopening.
Western Thrace Muftis Mustafa Trampa and İbrahim Şerif met President Erdoğan at the reopening ceremony of Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, where thousands of attendees, including Western Thrace Turks, gathered to witness the historic restoration event.
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