September 24, 2025, Munich - Perhat Muhammet (Yorunqash), a co-founder and former Vice President of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), as well as the editor-in-chief of the World Uyghur Congress Web TV and a renowned journalist, passed away at the age of 61 due to illness in Munich, Germany, on September 24, 2025.
In a condolence message released on this occasion, the World Uyghur Congress stated: "We pray for Allah's mercy upon the deceased. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, all members of the World Uyghur Congress, and the people of East Turkestan. We wish patience for all who loved and cherished him. May his resting place be Paradise!"
Assessing the life of the deceased, the WUC's message continued: "The late Perhat Muhammet was a shining star in the cause of East Turkestan. He was a leader known for his extensive experience, political maturity, mastery in the field of media, organizational skills, and diplomatic prowess in organizational and personal relations. He was an exemplar of patriotism and a monument of self-sacrifice with his dedication and tireless spirit of struggle. He was a hero who bravely faced all storms and hardships with an unshakeable, firm will, and who relentlessly struggled, sacrificed himself, and gave his last breath for the noble cause of the liberation of our homeland, East Turkestan, and the freedom of its people.
Perhat Muhammet was a father of two and a caring husband. He will live forever in the hearts of the people of East Turkestan."
Perhat Muhammet: A Life of Courage
The late Mr. Perhat Muhammet was born in 1964. In 1981, he was admitted to the Language Faculty of East Turkestan University. After graduating in 1985, he worked as an editor and reporter at the "Xinjiang People's Radio Station" until December 1992. During his time in his homeland, he published over 200 novellas, short stories, and other literary works in various newspapers and magazines. In 1993, he moved to Turkey and worked alongside our national leader, Mr. Isa Yusuf Alptekin, until 1995. In Turkey, he played a key role in the establishment of the "East Turkestan Youth Union" and its official newspaper, "East Turkestan Youth," serving as its editor-in-chief. In 1995, he moved to and settled in Germany. From the end of 1992, when he went abroad, until the present, Perhat Muhammet has consistently been at the forefront of the Uyghur national movement.
According to the WUC's condolence message: "He served as the main founder and editor-in-chief of various newspapers, magazines, and internet television channels such as the 'East Turkestan Youth' newspaper published in Turkey and Germany, the 'East Turkestan' newspaper, 'Birlik' (Unity) magazine, 'Uchqun' (Spark) newspaper, 'Istiqlal' (Independence) newspaper, Uyghur Television, and East Turkestan Uyghur Television."
It is known that Mr. Perhat Muhammet was one of the main founding members of the "World Uyghur Youth Congress" established in Germany in 1996, the "East Turkestan (Uyghuristan) National Congress" established again in Germany in 1999, and the "World Uyghur Congress" formed in 2004. Until his passing, he had been serving and held positions such as the Director of the WUC Propaganda Committee, WUC Vice President, and the founder, general supervisor, and editor-in-chief of the WUC Web TV.
