Election of Mufti Trampa, reaction from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs
As planned, at noon on Friday (9th Sept.), after the prayer in the mosques of Xanthi, the Muslim believerds of the region participated in the election of mufti. As a result of this election Mustafa Trampa elected as Mufti. He became the third elected mufti in Xanthi.
According to the announcement of the Advisory Body of the Turkish Minority, at the election held in 83 mosques in Xanthi. 7,320 believers participated in the -by cheering- process, Mustafa Trampa received 4,750 votes against 2,750 of Mustafa Kamo.
The ceremony that followed the results was performed by İbrahim Şerif, the president of the Advisory Body of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and the Mufti of Komotini.
The 48-year-old Trampa from Echinos (Şahin) became the third elected mufti o Xanthi. He started his new duties after the ceremony held in the Atik Mosque at the same day.
As a reaction to the election of mufti the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the following statement:
“Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Muslim Minority in Thrace (09.09.2022)
Friday, 09 September 2022
The Turkish side is attempting, once again, to distort reality and spread fake news regarding the Muslim Minority in Thrace.
It makes one wonder which provision of the Lausanne Treaty, which Turkey systematically violates, mentions that the muftis of the Muslim minority in Thrace are elected.
We expect the Turkish side to point out the specific article.
It is at the very least an oxymoron that Turkey is attempting to establish procedures for the election of religious leaders in a third state, which it does not apply to its own territory.
As is well-known, the Hellenic Parliament recently adopted a law for the modernization of the Muftiates.
This law establishes a modern and comprehensive institutional framework for the Muftiates and Muftis in Thrace; A framework that is fully compatible with the Constitution of Greece and the country's international obligations, as defined by the Lausanne Treaty, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights case-law, as well as the principles and practices of Islam.
Greece, as a European democracy and a state governed by the Rule of Law, fully respects its obligations under the Lausanne Treaty towards the Muslim Minority in Thrace.
It will continue to pursue a coherent minority policy that promotes the Minority’s welfare.
Turkey, on the other hand, continues to violate the rights of the nearly wiped-out Greek Minority in Istanbul, Gökçeada (Imbros), and Bozcaada (Tenedos).
It is noted that Turkey issued a relevant press release a few days after the sad anniversary of the 1955 'Events of September', which, if anything, could be a cause for reflection on the part of Turkey.”
