The first expanded council meeting of 2025 for the International East Turkistan NGO Union was held in Istanbul. Organization presidents, representatives, academics, religious scholars, scientists, and opinion leaders participated either directly or via video conference.
The meeting began with a Quran recitation, followed by an opening speech from the NGO Union President, Mr. Hidayetullah Oghuzhan.
Mr. Oghuzhan discussed how events in Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria during the past year affected the East Turkistan cause, China's efforts to expand its increasing influence in various countries, and the Union's year-long activities. Topics included new opportunities for the East Turkistan cause in India and Malaysia, high-level official participation from various countries in the national unity council, youth education programs, organized demonstrations, and efforts regarding citizenship, residence permits, and security issues for East Turkistan people living in Turkey.
Nurmuhammed Turkistani, Vice President for External Relations, participated via video conference, emphasizing China's growing influence in the Islamic world and discussing the Union's external relations activities and regional plans. Mr. Lokmanjan Hira, Vice President for Internal Affairs, evaluated last year's work and provided information about visiting struggling Uyghurs in Turkey, resolving their situations, and work on citizenship and residence permits.
Subsequently, Ms. Munavver Ozuygur (Women and Children Services), Nizamiddin Temkini (Financial Affairs), and General Secretary Abdurreshid Eminhaji detailed their annual reports. Then, UDTSB coordination committee members shared their plans and goals for 2025.
ISTIQLAL TV AND ITS WORK
At the meeting's conclusion, Sirajiddin Ezizi, Vice President of the East Turkistan Scholars Union, gave a special speech about Istiqlal TV, describing it as a prestigious, leading organization in Uyghur broadcasting in the diaspora, highlighting its 16 years of broadcasting experience and achievements, and detailing current challenges.
The council meeting concluded with greeting speeches from the NGO Union's senior advisors, including World Turkistanis Association President Burhan Kavuncu, former Zeytinburnu Mayor Ilyas Saka, New Century University Law Faculty Dean (former MP) Prof. Dr. Celal Erbay, opinion leader Abdukadir Yapcan, and other guests. The program ended with prayers.