Türkiye calls on Greece to 'recognize elected muftis'

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a written statement about Greece's practices regarding the muftis of the Western Thrace Turkish minority.

In the statement, it was stated that Greece continued to disregard the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, guaranteed by the Lausanne Peace Treaty and international agreements, by appointing so-called muftis in Komotini and Xanthi.

The statement emphasized that the institution of Mufti is an integral part of the religious, social and cultural identity of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority and included the following statements:

"By insisting on not recognizing the self-elected Muftis of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, an official minority in its country, Greece ignores the will and freedom of religion of the Minority and once again reveals its distorted perspective on fundamental human rights. We call on the Greek authorities to recognize the legitimate Muftis elected by the Minority and to give up their attempts to impose appointed muftis."

Source: TRT Haber Açık RSS (Gündem) (Open Press / Translated Full Text)