Greece appoints muftis in İskeçe and Gümülcine, reigniting dispute with Turkish minority
reece has formally appointed new muftis in İskeçe (Xanthi) and Gümülcine (Komotini), renewing a longstanding dispute over the selection of religious leaders for the Turkish Muslim minority of Western Thrace.
The appointment decrees, issued following a decision by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, have been published in Greece’s Government Gazette and entered into force, according to the Millet newspaper.
Under the appointments, Bilal Kara Halil, formerly a deputy appointed mufti in İskeçe (Xanthi), has been named mufti of Gümülcine (Komotini). Şükrü Şerif Damatoğlu, who previously served as a religious official on the island of Kos, has been appointed mufti of İskeçe (Xanthi).
Both appointments are for five-year terms, renewable once, according to the report.
MINORITY DISPUTES APPOINTMENT-BASED SYSTEM
The appointments have brought renewed attention to the disagreement between the Greek authorities and representatives of the Turkish Muslim minority over how muftis should be selected.
The minority has long called for a greater role in choosing its religious leaders, while the Greek state continues to appoint muftis through its official process.
The Millet report criticises the latest appointments, arguing that they do not address the minority’s demands and expectations regarding the mufti issue. It also raises concerns about religious freedom and the recognition of community preferences in the selection of religious leadership.
ELECTED MUFTIS REMAIN THE MINORITY'S CHOICE
The Turkish Muslim minority of Western Thrace recognises İbrahim Şerif, elected by the community as mufti of Gümülcine (Komotini), and Mustafa Trampa, elected as mufti of İskeçe (Xanthi), as its religious leaders.
The competing systems of appointment and community election have kept the mufti issue at the centre of discussions about minority rights, religious autonomy and freedom of religion in Western Thrace.
The latest decrees mark the implementation of Greece’s appointments but do not resolve the longstanding disagreement over who should select the minority’s religious leaders.
