AK Party Vice Chairman Zafer Sırakaya emphasised the importance of ensuring that the racist attacks on the 23^rd of November 1992 in the German city of Mölln, which claimed the lives of three Turks, is neither forgotten nor overlooked.”
This attack bestows a fundamental responsibility for everyone, to prevent the recurrence of such racist, Islamophobic assaults.

In his statement marking the 32^nd anniversary of the Mölln tragedy, Sırakaya expressed pride in the Turkish community living abroad. Despite enduring countless tragedies, hundreds of savage attacks, and thousands of instances of marginalisation, this community, now in its fourth generation, continues to provide lessons in civil behaviour and contribute meaningfully to the societies in which they live in.

Sırakaya noted that even after 32 years, the pain of this ‘despicable’ racially motivated arson by neo-Nazis targeting human lives remains deeply embedded on the collective memory of the Turkish populus. The fire claimed the lives of 10-year-old Yeliz Arslan, 14-year-old Ayşe Yılmaz, and 51-year-old Bahide Arslan, who was trying to save them.

Sırakaya further stated:

“If the Mölln attack had been fully investigated and clarified in all of its details, if the vile perpetrators of this racist terrorist assault had been brought to justice and received the penalties they deserved, and if adequate deterrent legal measures had been implemented against such brutal attacks, the Turkish community abroad would not subject to such frequent and ongoing racist and Islamophobic attacks. This is precisely why it is the primary duty of us all, not just the Turkish community abroad, but all citizens and compatriots who feel connected to these lands, to ensure that the racist Mölln attack, which caused deep wounds, is neither forgotten nor allowed to fade. It is our collective responsibility to prevent the recurrence of such racist and Islamophobic assaults. Driven by this sense of duty, the Turkish community targeted in attacks such as those in Wolfenbüttel, Mölln, Solingen, and Hanau because of their faith and origins continues to set an example for all societies by standing firm against hate-driven politics. Despite the immense pain inflicted by far-right movements, the Turkish community maintains their wisdom, resilience, and principled stance.”

Sırakaya concluded by extending his prayers to the victims of the Wolfenbüttel, Mölln, Solingen, and Hanau attacks, saying:

“May Allah grant mercy to our citizens who lost their lives in these tragedies, and patience to the families and loved ones they left behind.”