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Türkiye's Foreign Ministry urges Greece to recognize elected Western Thrace muftis
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry criticized Greece for appointing muftis in Komotini and Xanthi. The ministry called on Athens to recognize the legitimate muftis elected by the Western Thrace Turkish minority.
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry issued a written statement on Greece's appointments to the mufti offices in Komotini and Xanthi in Western Thrace. The statement said Greece continues to disregard the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Western Thrace Turkish minority, which are guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne and international agreements, by appointing so-called muftis.
The statement emphasized that the mufti institution is an integral part of the minority's religious, social and cultural identity. It said Greece is ignoring the minority's will and freedom of religion by insisting on not recognizing the muftis elected by the minority itself.
The ministry said, "We call on the Greek authorities to recognize the legitimate muftis elected by the minority and to abandon attempts to impose appointed muftis."
Five-year appointments
Greece appointed Bilal Kara Halil to the mufti office in Komotini and Şükrü Şerif Damat Oğlu to the mufti office in Xanthi for five-year terms through a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette. The muftis elected by the Turkish minority are İbrahim Şerif in Komotini and Mustafa Trampa in Xanthi.
The issue emerged after the Greek authorities began appointing muftis following the death of Hüseyin Mustafa Efendi, the mufti of Komotini, in 1985. Athens made the appointment system permanent through legislation enacted in 1991.
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