Uyghur Groups In Istanbul Honored Dr. Erkin Ekrem For His Service To Uyghur Community.

Uyghur Post Editor – January 12, 2026 – 1 min read

Uyghur Post, January 12
By Amine Sedef

Photo (left to right): Abdujelil Turan, Erkin Ekrem, Alimjan Bogda

On January 10, more than 200 guests—including intellectuals from cities across Turkey and abroad, organizational leaders, community figures, and patriotic youth—gathered in the Merike Hall of the Nervanis Hotel in Istanbul’s Şafaköy district to honor the scholarly contributions of Dr. Erkin Ekrem. Dr. Ekrem, a lecturer at the Faculty of History at Ankara Hacettepe University, a strategy expert, and director of the Uyghur Research Institute, was recognized for his academic work and his contributions to the East Turkestan cause.

Dr. Erkin Ekrem receiving a gift.

Organized under the planning of Abdujelil Turan, owner of Teklimakan Uyghur Publishing, and with the support of the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Research Institute, the ceremony featured speeches by Turgunjan Alavudun, president of the World Uyghur Congress; Abdujelil Turan, founder of Teklimakan Uyghur Publishing; and representatives from various organizations and associations, each highlighting Dr. Ekrem’s academic achievements and contributions to the Uyghur cause. Former WUC president Dolqun Isa sent a congratulatory video expressing gratitude and respect for Dr. Ekrem.

In his speech, Abdujelil Turan emphasized the importance of honoring and expressing appreciation to those who dedicate their lives to the Uyghur cause and serve the Uyghur people and homeland during their lifetimes.

The ceremony concluded with Dr. Erkin Ekrem being presented with a traditional robe of honor and other gifts.

Who is Dr.Erkin Ekrem?

Erkin Ekrem is an Associate Professor at the Department of History, Hacettepe University, Turkey. He also works as an Asia and Far East specialist. He is Uyghur born in Chinese city of Lanzhou, former Orthopaedist in “Xinjiang” City Hospital.

World Uyghur Congress (WUC): Dr. Ekrem has served as a Vice President and, most recently, as the Interim President of the World Uyghur Congress following the conclusion of the previous leadership’s term in late 2024.

Uyghur Research Institute: He serves as the Director of the Uyghur Research Institute, where he contributes to reports documenting human rights violations against Uyghurs.

He is a frequent commentator on international platforms regarding the Uyghur genocide and Chinese foreign policy.

Amina Sedef is an Istanbul-based correspondent for Uyghur Post in Turkey. She writes on the diaspora, Uyghur women, and culture.

This article was originally published in Uyghur Post and has been translated from Uyghur into English and republished by Uyghur Times.