A commemorative meeting was held in Ankara to mark the anniversaries of the two republics declared in East Turkistan on November 12, 1933, and November 12, 1944.
The event, organized by the Uyghur Academy Foundation and the East Turkistan Research Foundation, took place at İZ Hotel in Ankara to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of the East Turkistan Islamic Republic, founded in Kashgar in 1933, and the 81st anniversary of the East Turkistan Republic, established in Ghulja in 1944.
More than 40 distinguished guests attended the event, including — foremost — Osman Mesten, Bursa Deputy for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party); Associate Professor Dr. Selçuk Özdağ, Group Chairman of the New Path Party in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey; Fahrettin Yokuş, former İYİ Party Deputy; Dr. Reşide Yüksel, Vice President for Relations with Turkic States at AK Party Headquarters; Şerafettin Deniz, President of AVAZ Research and Strategy Center; Mehmet Fatih Şahin, President of Uluğ Group; Arzuman Azaflı, President of the Azaflı Social Aid and Culture Association; along with the presidents of associations representing Southern Turkistan, Southern Azerbaijan, and Syrian Turks, as well as representatives of major Turkish political parties, Turkic and Turkic World organizations, and members of the press.
The meeting began with a moment of silence in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for their homelands in Turkey, East Turkistan, and the Turkic World, followed by the singing of the Turkish National Anthem and the East Turkistan national anthem. Afterwards, Abdülhamit Karahan, President of the Uyghur Academy Foundation, and Dr. Abdülkerim Buğra, President of the East Turkistan Research Foundation, delivered their opening remarks.
In their speeches, they emphasized that commemorating East Turkistan Republic Day with the participation of representatives from various Turkish political parties and the broader Turkic World held great significance for Uyghurs. Speakers underlined that it is crucial for both the ruling and opposition parties in Turkey to view the East Turkistan issue as a national cause, to take a firm stance against China’s assimilation and genocide policies, and to support the Uyghur struggle for independence. They also extended their gratitude to the guests for their attendance.
Following the opening remarks, Osman Mesten, AK Party Deputy for Bursa, took the floor first. Mesten stated that Turkey supports its Uyghur brothers and sisters to the best of its ability and described the Uyghurs as a noble and civilized Turkic people. He also noted that he chairs the Uzbekistan Friendship Group in the Turkish Parliament and has a deep appreciation for the history and culture of both Uzbeks and Uyghurs. He added that he and his party are working to help alleviate the difficulties Uyghurs face, as they do for other oppressed Turkic communities.
Next, Associate Professor Dr. Selçuk Özdağ, Group Chairman of the New Path Party, stated that both he and the New Path Party fully support the Uyghurs’ just national struggle. He mentioned that he has raised the East Turkistan issue multiple times in Parliament and actively participates in the initiatives of organizations such as the World Uyghur Congress. Özdağ emphasized that preserving their national identity is essential for Uyghurs in resisting Chinese repression.
Subsequently, Dr. Reşide Yüksel, Vice President for Relations with Turkic States at AK Party Headquarters, conveyed the greetings of Turkish President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as Professor Dr. Kürşat Zorlu, Head of the AK Party’s Turkic States Affairs Department. Yüksel noted that the AK Party recently established a special division to strengthen relations with Turkic States and pays special attention to oppressed kin across the Turkic World, especially Uyghurs. She affirmed that Turkey will continue to stand by Uyghurs to the greatest extent possible.
Other speakers included Fahrettin Yokuş, former İYİ Party Deputy; Eser Saka Türkistanlı, Vice Chairman of the Victory Party responsible for the Turkic World; and Professor Dr. Filiz Avşar, Vice Chairman of Türk Ocakları. They also commemorated November 12, East Turkistan Republic Day, and expressed their belief that East Turkistan would eventually be liberated from Chinese oppression and regain its independence. The speakers emphasized that Turkey remains a source of hope for Uyghurs and that the Uyghur people must never lose faith in their eventual freedom.
Following the speeches, Professor Dr. Erkin Emet, Spokesperson for the World Uyghur Congress, delivered a presentation on the founding processes of the East Turkistan republics, the victories achieved by the national army against China, and the reasons for their eventual collapse. Emet stated that this historic day serves as an inspiration for Uyghurs to rise again, free themselves from Chinese occupation, and re-establish an independent East Turkistan. He expressed his belief that China would eventually disintegrate and that Uyghurs would live freely in their own sovereign state.
Finally, Abdülhamit Karahan, President of the Uyghur Academy Foundation, addressed the participants once more, presenting a detailed report outlining the history of the Uyghurs, as well as the geographical, demographic, and economic characteristics of East Turkistan. The report documented China’s ongoing policies of assimilation and genocide and emphasized that Uyghurs were among the earliest Turkic peoples to establish civilization, possessing rich spiritual and material heritage. Highlighting East Turkistan’s population, geography, and abundant resources, Karahan stressed that Turkey’s recognition of the East Turkistan issue as a national matter would strengthen Turkey’s own position vis-à-vis China and accelerate Uyghurs’ path to freedom.
The meeting concluded with a question-and-answer session and discussions on potential solutions to the East Turkistan issue, followed by closing remarks and a group photo.
Be First to Comment