East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association: Protecting Uyghur Cultural Identity and Strengthening Unity

Introduction

The East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association (Doğu Türkistan Kültür ve Dayanışma Derneği) has been one of the most important organizations for many years, working selflessly in Turkey and internationally to protect the rights of the Uyghur people, preserve their cultural identity, and bring the East Turkistan cause to the agenda of the Islamic Ummah. Especially today, as the systematic assimilation and cultural genocide carried out by the Chinese government in East Turkistan reaches its peak, the activities of this association are of critical importance for the survival of the Uyghur people. Since the beginning of 2026, the association has further strengthened its influence through a series of new political and cultural activities [Source](https://durusthaber.com).

Historical Background and Mission of the Association

The East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association was founded in 1989 in Kayseri, Turkey, and is considered one of the oldest and most influential Uyghur organizations in the country. The president of the association, Mr. Seyit Tümtürk, has been recognized for many years as one of the symbolic figures of this cause [Source](https://dostder.org.tr). The primary mission of the association is to support the struggle for the independence of East Turkistan, strengthen the unity of Uyghurs in the diaspora, and protect the Islamic and national values of the Uyghur people.

Since its inception, the association has not limited itself to political activities but has also carried out extensive work in the fields of social aid, education, and culture. In particular, providing aid to orphans, offering scholarships to students, and organizing Uyghur language courses are important parts of the association's daily activities [Source](https://eastturkistanassociation.com).

Protecting Cultural Identity: Language, Religion, and Tradition

China's policies in East Turkistan are not only about physical suppression but also aim to destroy the thousand-year-old Islamic culture of the Uyghurs. To counter this threat, the East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association is making great efforts to ensure that the younger generations in the diaspora do not forget their identity.

1. Language and Education: The association views the preservation of the Uyghur language as the foundation of national existence. Therefore, it supports Uyghur language and literature courses across various parts of Turkey [Source](https://akademiye.org). 2. Religious Values: Uyghur identity is inextricably linked to Islam. The association emphasizes strengthening the religious faith of the people by organizing Quran recitations, religious discussions, and Islamic festivals [Source](https://udtsb.com). 3. Cultural Activities: One of the association's key goals is to revive and introduce to the world traditional Uyghur cultural activities, such as "Meshrep," which have been banned by China [Source](https://turkistantimes.com).

Political Activism and International Impact

In early 2026, Association President Seyit Tümtürk held a series of conferences across Turkey. A typical example was the conference on the theme of "East Turkistan" held on January 25, 2026, in the Manavgat district of Antalya. At this meeting, Mr. Tümtürk emphasized Turkey's role as a champion of justice in the world and demanded more active diplomatic steps regarding the East Turkistan issue [Source](https://yesilafsin.com).

Furthermore, on February 22, 2026, Seyit Tümtürk visited "EFENDİ Medya," stating that the struggle for the independence of East Turkistan will never stop and that the policies of oppression carried out by China since 1949 will fail [Source](https://durusthaber.com). Such media visits play a crucial role in increasing the influence of the Uyghur cause within Turkish society.

The 29th Anniversary of the Ghulja Massacre and a Signal of Unity

On February 5, 2026, the East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association, together with other Uyghur organizations, commemorated the 29th anniversary of the "Ghulja Massacre" that occurred in 1997. The Ghulja incident began with Uyghur youth praying and demanding religious freedom on Laylat al-Qadr, which was then bloodily suppressed by China [Source](https://justiceforall.org).

Through these commemorative activities, the association once again declared to the world that the East Turkistan issue is not just a national issue, but an issue of religious freedom and humanity. In his speech, Seyit Tümtürk noted that the spirit of the Ghulja martyrs continues to support today's struggle [Source](https://uhrp.org).

Responsibility of the Islamic Ummah and Future Outlook

From an Islamic perspective, the East Turkistan issue is a common concern for the entire Ummah. Based on the Hadith "A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim," the East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association consistently calls on the Islamic world to stand up for the Uyghurs. According to the association, remaining silent in the face of oppression in East Turkistan is not in accordance with the ethics of Islamic brotherhood [Source](https://aa.com.tr).

At the meeting of the International Union of East Turkistan Organizations held in Istanbul in early 2025, a series of strategic plans were drawn up for 2026, with a primary focus on strengthening advocacy work in Muslim countries in the Middle East and South Asia [Source](https://udtsb.com). The association also continues to use media tools such as "Istiqlal TV" to expose China's false propaganda [Source](https://istiqlalhaber.com).

Conclusion

In its 37-year journey, the East Turkistan Culture and Solidarity Association has become one of the spiritual pillars of the Uyghur people. The new developments and activities in 2026 have shown that this association is not just a cultural society, but a political platform that voices the Uyghurs' aspirations for freedom to the world. As part of the Islamic Ummah, the people of East Turkistan are moving forward with firm steps toward protecting their identity and resisting oppression under the guidance of this association. There is great confidence that the association's work in international diplomacy and Ummah unity will yield even greater results in the future.