Turkistan Times - Kocaeli, Turkey: The 17th "World East Turkestanis Brotherhood Meeting" began in an enthusiastic atmosphere on Saturday, September 27, 2025, in the city of Kocaeli, Turkey. The purpose of this meeting, traditionally held annually by the East Turkistan Education and Solidarity Association, is to strengthen the unity of East Turkestanis in the diaspora and to make the East Turkistan cause heard more strongly by the global community.

The opening ceremony of the meeting began with a Quran recitation by the famous Turkish Qari Abdülkerim Kari, a world champion in Quran recitation. Following this, the national anthems of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of East Turkistan were played.

The main organizer of the meeting, Mr. Musajan Er, head of the East Turkistan Education and Solidarity Association, delivered the opening speech. In his address, he emphasized that these meetings, which have been ongoing for 17 years, have strengthened the bonds of brotherhood among East Turkestanis in exile, and that reforms in the work of the organizations have been a major impetus for the internationalization of the East Turkistan cause. He also pointed out that the genocide and human rights crisis in East Turkistan is not just an issue for Uyghurs but a common problem for the entire Islamic world and humanity. At the end of his speech, he remembered the late Parhat Muhammedi, former Vice President of the World Uyghur Congress, with deep condolences.

During the ceremony, a documentary was shown that looked at the past, present, and future of East Turkistan. The film summarized the 17-year glorious journey of the brotherhood meeting and its significant achievements, and demonstrated a strong will that this spirit of struggle will not fade until an independent state of East Turkistan is established.

Congratulatory letters from many prominent figures were also read out at the meeting, including former World Uyghur Congress President Rabia Kadeer, Vice President Seyit Tümtürk, and Uyghur Academy President Rishat Abbas.

A Call for Unity and Solidarity

Leaders of the cause, including Nurmuhemmed Turkistan, head of the Union of East Turkistan Organizations; Dr. Alimjan Bughda, chairman of the East Turkistan Ulema Union; Turghunjan Alawudun, president of the World Uyghur Congress; Erkin Alptekin, founding president of the World Uyghur Congress; and renowned public figure Abduqadir Yapchan, each delivered speeches. They unanimously stressed the critical importance of setting aside internal disputes and strengthening the united front against the common enemy in the current complex situation.

Turghunjan Alawudun stated, "To remain silent on the oppression occurring in East Turkistan is not an option; it is a betrayal." Erkin Alptekin put forward that where there is no ideological unity, there can be no political unity, and organizations must first strive to achieve ideological unity. Abduqadir Yapchan emphasized that victory will be achieved by acting with the five core values as the nucleus, such as the name of East Turkistan, its entity, its flag, and its national emblem.

International Support and Future Plans

Representatives from Turkish organizations such as the Milli Görüş and the International Union of Jurists also participated in the meeting, expressing their continued support for the East Turkistan cause. Turkish writer Halis Özdemir proposed that every Muslim should ask themselves, "What have I done for East Turkistan today?" and criticized the silence of the Arab-Islamic world.

Representatives from Europe, Australia, Central Asia, and various parts of the world, heads of Uyghur organizations in Turkey, as well as Turkish intellectuals and writers who are ardent supporters of the East Turkistan cause, also attended, once again demonstrating their support for the cause.

The opening ceremony concluded with a commemorative photograph. It was announced that the meeting will continue until September 28, during which specialized panel discussions on various fields will be held.