As a part of its cultural meetings in the geography of hearts, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) held an iftar dinner in Darmeni village of Western Thrace's Rodopi. The program saw the participation of a high number of people. Reminding that the rights of Muslim Turkic communities were safeguarded by the international agreements, YTB President Abdullah Eren said: "All the examples you witnessed today are only a proof that our geography of hearts is not limited with Turkey. Of course, there are such regions that are of different importance for Turkey and for us. Greece and Western Thrace are among the most prominent regions."

The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) organized an iftar dinner in Darmeni village of Western Thrace's Rodopi with the participation of numerous people.  Darmeni, one of the biggest Turkish village situated in a mountainous area of Rodopi province, hosted the iftar dinner where thousands coming from all corners of the Western Thrace participated in. YTB President Abdullah Eren who is originally from the Western Thrace, were welcomed very warmly as he arrived in the village. Taking a souvenir photo with youngsters at the village center, Eren met with his friends and relatives.  Eren gave Quar'an to students of Darmeni who recited poems and sang hymns as a gift.  After the sound of adhan, fasting was broken with prayers. Gümülcine Mufti İbrahim Şerif recited the meal prayer at the dinner where numerous women and children participated in.

Expressing his happiness to be in Western Thrace in his speech after the dinner, YTB President Eren said: "This night, I am very happy, emotional and excited as well.  Because I am one of you. I am your brother.” Noting that he was born and raised in Turkey but his father is from the Western Thrace, Eren indicated that his grandfather, grandmother, and uncle currently rests in the cemetery of Darmeni. “My father's first-degree relatives are living in this village and around this village. I've been visiting here since I was little. A lot of people know me very well.  So, it is impossible for me to feel disconnected from here emotionally due to my identity and sense of belonging.

THIS IFTAR IS YTB'S ORGANIZATION

Eren underlined that as a part of the "Cultural Meetings for the Geography of Hearts" program initiated by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, the organization plans to hold several events to promote Turkish culture and art to the people of Balkans. "This year cultural meetings for the geography of hearts came to the fore. We decided to organize such events in Bulgaria, Kosava and as well as Western Thrace. This iftar organization cannot be considered my individual organization but as the organization of the Turkish Republic and YTB. For this reason, I brought the greetings of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who gave the instructions to establish this organization and who always stand by people of Western Thrace Turks," he said. Eren noted that YTB was founded during the prime minister era of Erdoğan and provide services for Turks living abroad while also organizing cultural activities for Muslims all around the world.

WESTERN THRACE IS EMBODIMENT OF LOVE FOR US

Stressing that Western Thrace has a special significance for YTB and Turkey, President Eren said: "When we consider Turks living abroad, the first community that comes to mind is the ones who went to Europe in the 1960s to look for jobs. In addition to this community, we also have related communities.  We are sons and daughters of a great civilization. The example you see today only shows that our geography of hearts is not limited to Turkey. Of course, there are such regions that are of different importance for Turkey and for us. Greece and Western Thrace are among the most prominent regions. Western Thrace is the embodiment of love for us. For us, Western Thrace is not only a region between Evros River and Nestos River.   It is, in fact, a national cause.  You are the people living in these lands, my ancestors also lived in these lands. Although we live in Turkey, we cannot rupture our ties with here."  Eren stressed that the Western Thrace Muslim Turkish community was a minority whose rights safeguarded by international agreements and continue their lives within this framework.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY AND COUNTRY WE LIVE IN

Pointing out that as the Greece-Turkey bilateral relations ameliorate, the region will be more prosperous, President Eren said: "We hope that you will contribute to the peace of Western Thrace society as well as to the stability of Greece. I believe that Western Thrace will have very bright future.  As Turkey, we tell everyone with the confidence stemming from our past and civilization that we are the descendants of such a nation which achieved to live peacefully in every kind of situation. Therefore, we are ready to contribute to society and country we live in wherever we live in Turkey or another place in the world.  Today, we see a materialization of this in Western Thrace.”

YTB President Eren indicated that people of Western Thrace are devoted and loyal while also does not boil over rage by trying to pile on the agony. "Our beloved fellow countrymen, we are living in Ankara and if you happen to pass from there, you have a brother living in Ankara. You are welcomed to come at any time," he said.

The fast-breaking meal was followed by programs for children. Children enjoyed Hacivat-Karagöz shadow theatre and traditional Turkish culture and art activities.