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Mayor Tugay Delivers Message of Unity at Iftar with the Turkish community from Bulgaria

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Saturday, March 7, 2026
Mayor Tugay Delivers Message of Unity at Iftar with the Turkish community from Bulgaria
Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Dr. Cemil Tugay met with mayors from the Bulgarian city of Kardzhali and members of the Turkish community from Bulgaria living in İzmir at an iftar gathering. Mayor Tugay stated, “We are brothers with Kardzhali. Being in different countries does not separate us, we are one, we are together,” emphasizing unity and solidarity.
Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Dr. Cemil Tugay met with Turkish community from Bulgaria at an iftar program organized by the İzmir Provincial Organization of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), formed by Bulgarian Turks. The event, held at the Svalinn Hotel in Gaziemir, was attended by Mayor of Gaziemir Ünal Işık, municipal council members, Hamid Hamid and Hüseyin Hafızov, Members of the Parliament from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning, Mayor of Kardzhali Erol Myumyun, district mayors from Kardzhali, officials from the Kardzhali Municipality, as well as representatives of civil society organizations and political parties, along with approximately one thousand citizens.

“We are brothers with Kardzhali”
Mayor Tugay said, "I would like to thank the delegation from Bulgaria who came to visit us and everyone who organized this iftar event. May your Ramadan be blessed. I wish that the fasts of everyone who is fasting, and the prayers of those who are praying and worshipping, will be accepted. We are brothers with Kardzhali." 
 
 “There is a struggle to preserve language and culture in Bulgaria”
Referring to the frequent elections recently held in Bulgaria, Mayor Tugay also expressed his support for the upcoming early election scheduled for April 19.
“There are hundreds of thousands of citizens in İzmir who came from the Balkans and now live here. You are now İzmir residents, yet in your roots and family ties there are still many people connected to those lands. Whenever we visit Balkan countries and meet our cognates there, we realize once again that we are brothers, relatives; we are one and together. Our destinies are shared, and most likely our future will also be shared. Being in different countries does not separate us. In Bulgaria, people are engaged in a significant struggle to preserve their language and culture. No one involved in this struggle has the right to be tired. On April 19, if they need our support, I believe they will receive it from here. We must do this both for those in Bulgaria and for İzmir and Türkiye. As the Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality, and on behalf of İzmir, I will stand by them in any way necessary that they need during the election to help them achieve the positive outcome they aim for, defend their rights, and carry forward their efforts.”

“Generosity befits us as Muslims”
Mayor of Kardzhali Erol Myumyun said in his speech at the event “I am happy, proud, and honored to share this iftar meal together tonight in such a beautiful setting, in this packed hall. Ramadan means sharing. Let us continue to share, as we are sharing here today. What befits us as Turks and Muslims is to be united, to share our sorrows and our victories. Let us all have a wonderful Eid at the end of this beautiful month. Great generosity befits us, Muslims. Let us kiss the hands of our elders. Let us wish for peace, tranquility, and love in this difficult world, and let us continue on our path together”.

 “We will further strengthen our unity at this iftar in Izmir”
MRF Party Assembly Member and İzmir Provincial Representative Bahtiyar Şen said, “Being together here today is not just about being at an iftar table; it is an important step in meeting and keeping our common values ​​alive. We are strong when we are together, we succeed when we are in solidarity. This iftar in İzmir will further strengthen our unity.”
 
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