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Batı Trakya

WESTERN THRACE

We condemn in the strongest terms the destruction of the Turkish cemetery in Xanthi!

16.03.2022

ABTTF President: “The destruction of Ottoman tombs and tombstones by the municipal machinery is a great disrespect to those lying there and a blatant attack on our cultural heritage. With this latest action, which we absolutely do not condone, intolerance towards the historical monuments from the Ottoman heritage and negative attitude towards the Turkish community in Western Thrace were once again demonstrated in our country.”

The Ottoman-era Muslim Turkish cemetery in the village of Petinos (Horozlu) was destroyed on 15 and 16 March 2022 by the work machines of the Municipality of Avdira (Bulustra), to which the village is attached.

It is stated that the municipality has decided to build football fields and basketball courts, a playground and a social facility in the historical cemetery area and has been provided European Union funds for the project.

“As the representative of the Western Thrace Turks living in Europe and as ABTTF, we condemn in the strongest terms the destruction of the historical Muslim Turkish cemetery in the province of Xanthi. The destruction of Ottoman tombs and tombstones by the municipal machinery is a great disrespect to those lying there and a blatant attack on our cultural heritage. With this latest action, which we absolutely do not condone, intolerance towards the historical monuments from the Ottoman heritage and negative attitude towards the Turkish community in Western Thrace were once again demonstrated in our country. We invite the authorities of our country at the local and national level to follow the example of the steps taken by our motherland to protect heritage historical monuments from different cultures and to carefully protect the historical monuments inherited from the Ottoman Empire, which represents a great cultural wealth for our country”, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).

*Images: www.milletgazetesi.grwww.gundemgazetesi.com

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