Türkiye urges Greece to recognise elected muftis in Western Thrace

Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry has criticised Greece’s latest appointments to the mufti offices in Gümülcine and İskeçe, calling on Athens to recognise the religious leaders chosen by the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace and abandon the state appointment system.

In a statement issued on October 24, 2026, the ministry said the appointments disregarded the minority’s will and freedom of religion. It argued that the mufti institution was an integral part of the minority’s religious, social and cultural identity and referred to the Treaty of Lausanne and other international agreements as safeguards for the minority’s fundamental rights.

“Greece continues to disregard the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace by the Treaty of Lausanne and international agreements by appointing so-called muftis in Gümülcine and İskeçe,” the ministry said.

ANKARA CALLS FOR RECOGNITION OF ELECTED RELIGIOUS LEADERS
The ministry accused Greece of ignoring the minority’s choices by refusing to recognise the muftis it has elected. It urged Greek authorities to recognise the minority’s elected religious leaders and stop attempting to impose state-appointed officials.

The statement described the mufti institution as an inseparable element of the Turkish Minority’s identity and called for respect for its right to determine its own religious leadership.

TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF REPRESENTATION
According to the report, Greek presidential decrees appointed Bilal Kara Halil as mufti of Gümülcine and Şükrü Şerif Damatoglu as mufti of İskeçe, each for a five-year term.

Representatives of the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace recognise İbrahim Şerif as their mufti in Gümülcine and Mustafa Trampa as their mufti in İskeçe. Greek authorities, meanwhile, recognise