In the city of Zolingen in Germany, 5 ethnic Turks who died as a result of arson on May 29, 1993 were honored.
The ceremony was organized at the house on the street, where a tragic incident occurred exactly 32 years ago.
The event was attended by members of the Gench family, Turkish ambassador to Berlin Gekkhan Turan, the head of the municipality of Zolingen Tim Kurzbach, German politicians, representatives of local NGOs and citizens.
, within the framework of the ceremony organized by a number of public associations, ayats from the Qur’an were read, prayers were exalted and speeches were made.
Turkish ambassador Turan began his performance, reading the names of the dead. He expressed his condolences to the Gench family, who lost five children in the tragedy, and honored the memory of the late mevlude Gench, which until his death on October 30, 2022 continued to call for the world, despite the pain experienced.
The head of the diplomatic mission recalled that after the tragedy in Zolingen, racist attacks continue, including from the terrorist organization National Socialist underground (NSU).
According to him, the problem concerns not only Turks, Muslims and migrants, but also of the entire German society. “In recent years, racist, Xenophobic and Islamofobic sentiments are strengthened in Europe and Germany, which ultimately threaten the security, calm and the general future of the entire German people,” Turan emphasized.
The ambassador noted that a significant part of German society is aware of the seriousness of the threat associated with the growth of discrimination and xenophobia.
“We know that most of the German society is deeply concerned and is alarming about the intensifying racism and hostility to foreigners,” he stressed.
The head of the city municipality Kurzbach said that the tragedy that occurred in Zolingen 32 years ago still causes deep grief and pain.
Kurzbach also honored the memory of Mevlude Gench, who, despite the loss of five children as a result of arson, has performed all her life with the messages of peace and reconciliation.
May 29, 1993, in the city of Zolingen Federal Land, the North Rhine-Westfalia was set on fire by the house of the Gench family on Unter Werner Street. As a result of the attack, Gyursyun Indgea (28), Guluistan Oztyurk (12), Hatiga (19), Hulul (9) and Saime Gench (5).
were killed.
Four detained criminals – Marcus Gartmann, Felix Könen, Christian Rer and Christian Bhaholts – were released after serving the appointed court. Their personalities were changed and classified, they continue to live in Germany.