Xanthi Muftiate brings thousands of kinsmen together for iftar
On Thursday, March 13, the Xanthi Muftiate organized a large-scale iftar event, bringing together thousands of compatriots at the same table, demonstrating a strong sense of solidarity. The iftar took place at the Apollon Wedding Hall in the village of Misvaklı, Xanthi.
The distinguished guests of the event included Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of National Education, Nazif Yılmaz, and the President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), Abdullah Eren.
Among the attendees were Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini, Aykut Ünal, and his wife, İlayda Ünal, Komotini Mufti İbrahim Şerif, Chairperson of the Friendship, Equality, and Peace Party (DEB) Çiğdem Asafoğlu, Rodopi MP Özgür Ferhat, Deputy Governors of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, municipal council members, mayors, and representatives of civil society organizations from Western Thrace.
Before the iftar, children enjoyed a performance of the popular children's theater show Rafadan Tayfa. This was followed by a recitation of the Holy Qur'an.
As the call to prayer echoed, all attendees broke their fast together, sharing the spiritual atmosphere of the iftar. Following the meal and the prayer of gratitude, welcoming speeches were delivered.
Messages of Unity and Solidarity
Due to the passing of his young nephew in the village of Şahin, Xanthi Mufti Mustafa Trampa was unable to attend the event. Therefore, the first speech was delivered by Komotini Mufti İbrahim Şerif, who emphasized the importance of unity:
"As we approach Eid al-Fitr, I extend my gratitude to our homeland for making us feel the joy of the holiday even before it arrives. I also want to thank our esteemed guests for being here with us and sharing this special moment."
Following him, the Mayor of Başiskele, Türkiye, Mehmet Yasin Öz, expressed his happiness at being with the Western Thrace community:
"It is a great pleasure to be with you on this blessed day of Ramadan. I sincerely thank YTB and the Xanthi Muftiate for bringing us together. May you all be entrusted to Allah."
Turkey’s Consul General in Komotini, Aykut Ünal, also shared his thoughts, highlighting the presence of children at the event:
"I am very happy tonight because our children are also here. To all of you present, I extend an invitation to join us for the Eid celebrations on the first day of Ramadan Bayram at the Consulate General of Komotini. I express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this event and strengthened our unity and togetherness."
"We Will Continue to Preserve Our Identity"
YTB President Abdullah Eren emphasized the significance of Western Thrace for Türkiye, underscoring the need for unity:
"I am an Evlad-ı Fatihan, a child of Rumelia. My roots trace back to the village of Değirmendere in Komotini. I am truly honored to be here today."
Eren reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting its citizens and kin abroad, mentioning his recent visits to Turkish communities in Germany, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, and Syria. He also announced plans to visit Azerbaijan in the coming days.
"Wherever the Turkish heart beats, we are there and will continue to be there," he said.
Highlighting the historical struggle of the Turkish community in Western Thrace, Eren stressed the importance of preserving cultural and linguistic identity:
"We must protect our language and cultural values to safeguard our identity. Our struggle is our duty, and victory comes from Allah."
Eren also detailed YTB’s activities in the region, revealing that 14 different projects had been implemented in Western Thrace in 2024, and 780 young people had been taken on cultural trips to Türkiye.
"Language and Religion Are the Keys to Preserving Identity"
Deputy Minister of National Education of Türkiye, Nazif Yılmaz, began his speech by greeting all attendees and emphasizing the role of religious and cultural traditions in maintaining identity:
"Some seasons play a crucial role in preserving our identity. Ramadan is one of them. Our mosques, where our calls to prayer are heard, and our Qur'ans are recited, are the imprints of our presence in these lands. Our iftars and suhoors are also among these symbols."
Yılmaz stressed that two fundamental elements are essential to maintaining identity in Western Thrace:
"To protect your identity here, you must preserve two things—our beautiful Turkish language and our religion, Islam. As long as we hold on to these, our identity will never be lost."
He also noted that Türkiye's cultural and spiritual geography extends beyond its borders:
"Our homeland is larger than just our geographical borders. Every brother and sister who shares our beliefs and values, whether in the Balkans, Turkistan, or elsewhere, is a part of our spiritual geography."
In closing, Yılmaz expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to organizing the iftar event.
The iftar organized by the Xanthi Muftiate stood out as a significant event that strengthened the bonds of solidarity among the Turkish community in Western Thrace, leaving a lasting impact.
