Refat Chubarov: Crimean Tatar People Will Fight Until Complete Restoration of Their Rights on Their Own Land

01 November 2013

On November 1, 2013, Friday, the grand ceremony of inauguration of the newly elected Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and its members took place in the historical capital of the Crimean Khanate in Bakhchisaray on the territory of Khan-Saray.

Mr Mustafa Jemilev, Ex-Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Mr Refat Chubarov, Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, members of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People of the previous convocations of the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People, members of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People elected at the first session of the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People of the 6^th convocation, members of the Revision Commission of the Qurultay, members of the regional and local mejlises, veterans of the Crimean Tatar national movement, members of the councils of different levels that were elected with support of the national self-governance bodies, representatives of the Crimean Tatar public organizations, as well as the residents and guests of Bakhchisaray.

The ceremony started with the general Friday namaz in Khan-Jami and praying in the Khan’s cemetery where nine Crimean khans as well as the members of their families and representatives of the court nobility were buried.

Mr Shevket Memetov, host of the ceremony, delegate of the Qurultay of the 6^th convocation noted the historical importance of the grand ceremony, stating that almost a century ago Noman Chelebidzhikhan, Jafer Seidamet and Asan Sabri-Aivazov planted the national Crimean Tatar flag in Bakhchisaray in the territory of Khan-Saray. “In November 1917 the first Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People was held. In the 30-es the Bolsheviks started repressions, the outstanding Crimean Tatar political figures of that time were killed,”- Mr Memetov reminded.

The national Crimean Tatar anthem performed by the artists of the Crimean Tatar Academic Musical Drama Theatre Ms Emine Jevdetova and Seitabla Memetov opened the grand ceremony that took place in the internal court of Khan Palace.

Then the Crimean Tatar leader, Ex-Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Jemilev made his speech.

“In spite of various surveys the representative body of the Crimean Tatar people elected both in Ukraine and in CIS countries is the body supported by our nationals most of all. I hope that this will continue in the future. This year we changed our election system and made it even more democratic. In accordance with this system we elected the delegates of the Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People of the 6^th convocation. We also elected the new Chairman of the Mejlis,”- Mustafa Jemilev said.

Mustafa Jemilev reminded that the main candidates to the position of the Chairman of the Mejlis were two deserving politicians and as we know Mr Refat Chubarov won. He also noted that “if Mr Remzi Ilyasov has won instead, we would celebrate his inauguration the same way today”.

According to Mustafa Jemilev, Refat Chubarov joined the national movement back in the past century. “He was one of those who in 1991 took part in preparation of the “Declaration of Sovereignty of the Crimean Tatar People” and I believe that he will be able to turn it into reality,”- Mr Jemilev said.

Mustafa Jemilev also noted the high level of the newly elected composition of the Mejlis. “There are many young men, devoted, loving their people and wishing to help it. May Allah help you,”- Mr Jemilev said.

After that the Ex-Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Jemilev gave the new Head of the Mejlis Refat Chubarov the Statute of the Mejlis and the Crimean Tatar national flag. During the meeting Mufti of Muslims of Crimea hajji Emirali Ablaev presented the sacred book of Muslims – Koran. The Mejlis Head Refat Chubarov kissed Koran thrice and pronounced in Crimean Tatar language “Ant etem, Millet ichun chalyshmaga sez berem!” (I swear to serve for the sake of the people!”)

Then the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov addressed all the present. He greeted his nationals, the leader of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa aga Abduljemil Qirim-oglu, Mufti of Muslims of Crimea hajji Emirali Ablaev, residents and guests of Bakhchisaray.

“96 years ago the delegates of the 1^st Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People elected to ensure the rights of their people took up their duties here in Khan-Saray. During the 20^th century our people suffered a series of tragic events. The Crimean Tatars were subjected to the forcible deportation and experienced attempts of their extermination,”- Mr Chubarov reminded.

According to the Mejlis Head, despite the most difficulties the Crimean Tatar people stood up and started fighting for the return to their homeland, is fighting for the restoration of their rights and will fight until the full restoration of their rights at their land.

Today we gathered here today and express our immense gratitude to our mothers and fathers, to our grandfathers, veterans of the Crimean Tatar national movement and courageous leaders of the 1^st Qurultay and our present leader,”- Mr Chubarov continued and expressed his confidence that the delegates of the Qurultay of the 6^th convocation, newly elected members of the Mejlis will continue their work that was started by their colleagues of the previous convocations and will make their significant contribution to the bright future of the Crimean Tatar people.

After that every member of the newly elected Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People approached the Crimean Tatar flag, pronounced the oath “Ant etem, sez beremen millet ichun chalyshmaq” (“I swear to serve for the sake of my people”) and kissed the corner of the flag.

After the ceremonial part the members of the Mejlis and Revision Commission of the Qurultay made a general photo at the background of Demir-Kapy portal as the delegates of the 1^st Qurultay of the Crimean Tatar People, including Mr Noman Chelebi-Dzhikhan and Dzhafer Seydamet did in 1917, as well as at the balcony of one of Khan-Saray buildings and at the entrance to Khan Palace in Bakhchisaray.

In conclusion of the ceremonial events, the leader of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Jemilev and Mejlis Head Refat Chubarov hold a briefing. Answering to the questions about the appointments and future work of the Mejlis Refat Chubarov stated that “My future team are all 32 members of the Mejlis and we will work for the sake of the future of the Crimean Tatar people”.