Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Association (BTTÖB): "The injustices inflicted upon the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority are a clear oppression"

In the statement, BTTÖB emphasized, "We strongly condemn the provocative actions of the deputies, who know that the will of the people who have expressed their choice for elected muftis has been usurped, yet continue to disrupt the peace."

The statement further asserted, "The Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority, deprived of the religious and educational freedoms guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne, is subjected to clear oppression through these injustices."

The full statement from the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Association reads:

"On Friday, October 11, the appointed mufti deputies of Dimetoka, İskeçe, and Gümülcine engaged in a provocative act. Following the opening ceremony of İskeçe Medrese, attended by Yorgos Kalantzis, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, the deputies attempted to enter the Çınar Mosque in religious attire (robes and turbans) to lead the Friday prayer. The congregation, knowing their elected mufti was inside, asked them to leave the mosque.

We strongly condemn the provocative actions of the deputies, who know full well that the will of a people who have chosen their mufti is being violated, yet continue to disrupt the existing peace. The Western Thrace Muslim Turkish Minority, deprived of the religious and educational freedoms guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne, is subjected to clear oppression through these injustices.

Anyone who remains silent in the face of this oppression against their religious and ethnic brethren or who is complicit in this wrongdoing is an oppressor. Neither in this world nor the hereafter will they be able to account for their actions.

It is never too late to correct a wrong. At the very least, it is our right to expect those who claim to believe to heed the words of Allah, who says, ‘Do not be like those who were divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. For them is a great punishment.’”