"This decree related to the Muftis is unacceptable"

A meeting was held on Saturday, September 1, in the Higher Educated Association of Western Thrace (Batı Trakya Yüksek Tahsilliler Derneği), regarding the presidential decree published on the muftis of Western Thrace. BTAYTD President Ercan Ahmet made a press conference at the end of the meeting and stated that this decision is unacceptable to the minority.

In his statement, Ercan Ahmet stated that the first part of the decree contains so many mistakes and deficiencies. Ercan Ahmet also said that he does not believe that the decree was prepared with goodwill, as making compulsory the Greek Language to be used by muftis, prevents the minority to use their own language.

Ercan Ahmet pointed out that the published Presidential decree had completely abolished the autonomy of the mufti, which meant that there is a violation of Lausanne, saying, "You cannot bypass the autonomy of this institution with a simple presidential decree and take its authority. You cannot run it like a state circle. This is the obvious violation of Lausanne”.

Ercan Ahmet, stating that the aim of the published decree is to destroy, not to create,  said "hugging the Lausanne when it is useful, and violating the Lausanne when it is not beneficial is not a serious work. It is not a business which a serious institution will do. This is never acceptable, the minority never accept it and never will do."

After the meeting, it was stated that the "Lawyers Board" will be formed and the reports will be prepared to be sent to the related departments for making the necessary objections.

Turkish Minority members of the Greek Parliament also attended the meeting and declared their ideas.