Turkish volunteers: We were welcomed with “Türkiye” chants in Africa’s Lake Chad

ENCEMİNE (AA) – GÖKHAN KAVAK/ADAM ABU BASHAL – The officers who went to the Lake Chad Basin, which has the harshest conditions in Africa, within the scope of the “2026 Sacrifice by Proxy Program” of the Turkish Religious Foundation (TDV), stated that they were welcomed by the residents of the region with chants of “Türkiye, Turkey”. Religious officials from various provinces of Turkey reached the rural settlements in the Lake Chad Basin after a difficult land journey of 12-13 hours from the capital Encemine and not only distributed the sacrificial relics to those in need, but also closely witnessed the love and trust felt for Turkey.

The officers working in the region where approximately 400 victims were slaughtered in the first stage told the AA correspondent about their impressions. Muhammet Fatih Kellerbağı, Erzincan’s Otlukbeli District Mufti, stated that life in the region should be evaluated as “difference” rather than “difficulty” and said that people continue their lives with great submission and patience despite all the impossibilities. Stating that one of the aspects of the desert climate that impressed him the most was the coolness felt at night in an environment where scorching temperatures were experienced during the day, Kellerbağı said that the night he spent outdoors with his fellow officers was an unforgettable experience.

Kellerbağı pointed out that the living conditions in the region are quite different from those in Turkey and explained that people can often only eat one meal a day. “Our daily life is constantly shaped around eating and drinking. Here, people say, ‘If we find food, we will eat, if we cannot find food, we will be patient.'” Kellerbağı said that this situation affected him deeply. Kellerbağı stated that children grew up surrounded by animals, that masjids sometimes consisted of simple canopies made from tree branches, and emphasized that the love of the residents of the region for Turkey despite all the poverty was remarkable.

Saying that they came to the middle of Africa for aid activities, Kellerbağı said, “We went to villages that were extremely difficult to reach. Despite this, people did not act like strangers when they saw us. Children, young people, and the elderly were calling us ‘Türkiye, Türkiye’.” Those who saw us looked at us as if they were from us. “It’s a feeling that’s really hard to describe.” he said. Stating that sacrificial relics have great meaning for the people of the region, Kellerbağı said, “Perhaps, giving power of attorney may be seen as an ordinary act of worship in Turkey, but many people here cannot access meat throughout the year.

“For them, Eid al-Adha is not only a holiday, but also a day when meat will be on the table.” he said. – “Even one balloon is enough to make children happy” Turan Hancı, who works as an imam hatip at the Alanya District Mufti’s Office, said that the absence he saw in the region deeply affected him. Explaining that there is no water, electricity and basic infrastructure services in the villages, Hancı stated that despite this, people did not lose hope.

Hancı stated that children experience great joy even in the face of the smallest gifts and said, “In Turkey, we have seen children running for kilometers for a balloon that a child would not even look at. “This view affects people very much.” he said. Pointing out that the people of the region have great love for Turkey and the Turkish nation, Hancı said that people expect help when they see them and that they consider Turkey a reliable friend.

Describing the emotional moments they experienced, Hancı said, “I couldn’t hold back my tears many times when I saw the living conditions of the people there. At first, I thought I would not be able to come again due to the difficulties of the journey, but after seeing the needs of the people, I said I would like to go again if given the opportunity.” he said. – “Turkey is seen as hope in the region” Faruk Durmuş, who works as an imam hatip in Nevşehir, said that the residents of the Lake Chad Basin are struggling to survive under harsh conditions due to security problems and economic difficulties that have been going on for years.

Durmuş stated that poverty in the region cannot be explained only by economic reasons, and that people have experienced the effects of exploitation and deprivation that have lasted for many years. Stating that Turkey has a strong response in the region despite this, Durmuş said that especially young people who receive education at Turkish Maarif Foundation schools give hope for the future. Durmuş said, “Young people who studied in Turkey and returned to their country both speak Turkish and maintain strong ties with their own communities.

This creates a very valuable bridge of love between the two countries.” he said. The activities carried out within the scope of TDV’s 2026 Sacrifice Organization by Proxy not only deliver the meat of the sacrificed animals to those in need, but also contribute to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the people of Türkiye and Chad. The sounds of “Türkiye” echoing in the middle of Africa, in one of the most remote geographies of the world, stand out as one of the strongest indicators of the bridge of hearts established.