SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Citizens across the west Balkan countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro have condemned allegations of a "genocide" being committed in 1915 against Armenians, following Friday prayers in capital cities.
About 150 people gathered in the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in the capital Sarajevo after prayers and marched in the center of the city with the flags of Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, carrying posters reading: "There is no genocide, there is Canakkale" and "Never Forget Khojaly".
Others shouted slogans such as: "Armenian Genocide is not true."
The march was attended by Bosnians, Turks, and Azerbaijanis as well as members of the Mothers of Srebrenica Association and Zepa Mothers.
The President of the Association of Mothers of Srebrenica, Munira Subasic, told The Anadolu Agency that it was embarrassing to talk now about what happened 100 years ago knowing that Turks had also been slaughtered at the time.
She said: "Rather than talk about Armenian allegations, what happened to Muslims in Bosnia and Herzegovina should also be talked about."
"This was something that was done against Muslims. My husband and son were killed just because they were Muslims."
Tragedy 'exploited'
Speaking on behalf of a student group, Furkan Akcakir said western countries were acting hypocritically.
He said: "Western countries are exploiting a tragedy for their own political advantages."
"These countries have to face their own history but instead they are blaming Turkey."
Macedonians, Montenegrins, Kosovars and Albanians were also reported to have condemned the claims of an Armenian "genocide" after Friday prayers in their capitals.
The 1915 events took place during World War I when a portion of the Armenian population living in the Ottoman Empire sided with the invading Russians and revolted.
The relocation by the Ottomans of Armenians in eastern Anatolia following the revolts resulted in numerous casualties.
Turkey does not dispute that there were casualties on both sides, but rejects the definition of "genocide".
