Western Thrace Turkish Minority condemns provocation at Hürriyet Mosque during Ramadan
The Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board has strongly condemned a provocative act targeting the Hürriyet Mosque in İskeçe, describing the incident as an attempt to incite tension during the holy month of Ramadan.
The attack, which became public on Friday, February 27, through a formal statement by the Advisory Board, triggered a wave of reactions from minority representatives, elected officials, and local authorities across Western Thrace.
Community leaders characterized the act — which involved vandalism of the mosque’s exterior — as a deliberate provocation aimed at disturbing social harmony, particularly given its timing during Ramadan.
MPs Call for Accountability
Following the disclosure, Members of Parliament representing the region issued statements condemning the incident and urging authorities to act swiftly.
Hüseyin Zeybek and Burhan Baran, MPs for İskeçe, along with Özgür Ferhat, MP for Rodopi, emphasized that attacks against places of worship are unacceptable in a democratic society.
They called for a thorough investigation and for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice without delay.
Strong Reaction From Local Mayors
Municipal leaders in the region also issued strong condemnations:
- Ahmet Kurt, Mayor of Mustafçova
- Caner Imam, Mayor of Iasmos (Yassıköy)
- Erdem Hüseyin, Mayor of Kozlukebir
In their statements, they denounced the vandalism and underscored the importance of protecting religious sites and preserving peaceful coexistence in the region.
Broader Community Response
Numerous politicians, institutional representatives, and members of the Western Thrace Turkish minority expressed their reactions on social media, framing the act as a provocation intended to create unrest.
Many highlighted that targeting a mosque during Ramadan amplifies the sensitivity of the incident and risks undermining intercommunal trust.
Minority representatives collectively called on the competent authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly identified and that preventive measures are strengthened to avoid similar incidents in the future.
The case has renewed attention on the protection of religious freedoms and minority rights in northern Greece.
