The 81st anniversary of the Ahiska Exile was commemorated in Atlanta.
The Ahiska Turkish Community Center of Atlanta hosted a poignant commemoration program on the 81st anniversary of the deportation of Ahiska Turks on November 14, 1944. The event, titled ’The Name of Oppression: Ahiska,“ was held with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Washington and the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Miami. The program was attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca, President of the Diyanet Center of America (DCA), and Bünyamin Özçiftçi, Imam of the DCA.
The program, which began with a recitation of the Holy Quran by Bünyamin Özçiftçi, continued with a speech by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanca stated that the Ahiska exile is one of the most painful pages in Turkish history, adding that this event is not only a historical incident but also a shared pain carried through generations.
Dr. Kanca emphasized that the Ahiska Turks were torn from their homes, lands, and memories, stating that Ahiska is not just a story of exile, but also a symbol of patience, resistance, and rebirth. “For decades they were scattered across different geographies, subjected to various forms of oppression; but they did not lose their language, they did not abandon their religion, they did not forget their culture.”
Addressing young Ahiska Turks living in America, Dr. Kanca emphasized the importance of preserving their cultural identity., “You cannot rise to the heavens without your roots. Your future will be stronger as long as you preserve your history, your culture, and your connection to your homeland.” He stated that DCA has always stood by the Ahiska community in preserving their identity, spirituality, and cultural values.
The event concluded with prayers for the thousands of Ahiska Turks who lost their lives on the roads of exile, and for the soldiers who were martyred in the recent plane crash.
The program concluded with a powerful message aimed at carrying the memory that the Ahiska Turks have kept alive for 81 years into the future with a consciousness full of resilience and hope.