'Greece does not restore historical mosques on Lesbos Island'

Marmara University Vocational School of Social Sciences Vocational School of Social Sciences Tourism Guidance Programme Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neval Konuk evaluated the situation of historical mosques in Lesbos Island.
In his statements to AA, Konuk said that Greece has not carried out the restoration of the mosques despite the mutual agreement and the Turkish side's fulfilment of its commitments.
Konuk stated that within the scope of the mutual restoration agreement between Ayvalık Municipality and Lesbos Island in 2010, an agreement was reached for the restoration of three historical mosques on the island in return for the Taxiarhis Church, Agios Yannis Church and Ayazma of Ayvalık and said, "Ayvalık Municipality has completed the restoration of three churches within the scope of this agreement. Greece, on the other hand, has still not done the restoration of these mosques despite the passage of nearly 14 years."
Konuk stated that the Yalı Mosque dated 1805 in Lesvos Island was used as a butcher shop until the 2000s and today it is used as an agricultural materials office, and that the restoration of the Valide Mosque dated 1615, another important mosque on the island, was slowed down after the opening of the Hagia Sophia-i Kebir Mosque, and that it is envisaged to serve as a municipal library and municipal memory house after its completion.
Konuk reminded that the island of Lesbos, which came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire in 1462 during the reign of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, remained under Ottoman rule until the Treaty of London in 1913 and continued as follows:
"There are many Ottoman artefacts on the island, especially the selatin mosques, government mansion, baths, girls' school and police station buildings built by members of the Ottoman dynasty. However, there is no registration of any artefacts built since 1821, which is based on the date of Greek independence. The works before this date are recorded as Post-Byzantine works and Ottoman architectural works are approached with prejudice and ignorance from the beginning."
THE NEW MOSQUE ON THE ISLAND OF MYTILENE HAS BEEN OPEN TO EXTERNAL DAMAGE FOR 15 YEARS
Sharing the information that Greece does not restore historical mosques despite the principle of reciprocity as well as mutual restoration agreements, Konuk stated that the New Mosque, Valide Mosque and Yalı Mosque on Lesbos Island are examples of this situation.
Konuk pointed out that it is not possible to talk about any reciprocity between Türkiye and Greece in terms of the restoration of historical artefacts and historical temples and said the following:
"Türkiye has restored more than 80 churches and opened them for worship on certain days even though they have no congregation. Greek scientists also supported these restorations. However, we cannot even restore a fountain in Greece by participating as scientists. Despite all these, Greece does not even restore a fountain. Tourists from Greece can worship here on certain days. Tourists travelling from Turkey to Lesbos and other islands find many Ottoman monuments as soon as they step on the islands, but they find them neglected and waiting to be restored."
Konuk noted that the New Mosque dated 1815, which is one of the important historical mosques in the city centre of Lesbos Island, has been kept open to external destruction for about 15 years by removing all the exterior coatings and plasters and concluded his words as follows:
"The restoration of mosques in the islands has an aspect related to the freedom of religion, conscience and worship of the Turkish people living there, as well as the principle of reciprocity and mutual agreements. For example, there are around 6,500 Turks living on Rhodes Island, and more than 30 Ottoman mosques are standing and well-maintained. Turkish tourists visit them extensively. However, there are only the Ibrahim Pasha Mosque in the centre of the island for daily prayers and the Süleymaniye Mosque, which is opened twice a year for Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr prayers. There is only Ibrahim Pasha Mosque where Turks on the island can worship. The Murat Reis Complex, which was a spiritual and spiritual centre for the Turks on the island, was converted into a music faculty; finally, the cist, banner and other tomb items were removed from the tomb, destroying its historical and cultural ties."
AA