YTB president criticises Greece over mufti appointments in Western Thrace
Abdulhadi Turus, president of Türkiye’s Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), has criticised Greece’s appointments to the mufti offices in Gümülcine (Komotini) and İskeçe (Xanthi), calling on the Greek authorities to respect the will of the Western Thrace Turkish minority and recognise its elected religious leaders.
In a statement published on social media on 25 October, Turus described the appointments as a continuation of longstanding violations of the minority’s rights and urged Greece to abandon what he called an imposed appointment-based approach.
Turus argued that repeatedly making such appointments cannot legitimise a practice that the minority opposes, warning against treating the issue as a routine administrative procedure.
YTB calls for recognition of elected muftis
Turus emphasised that the mufti offices are an integral part of the Western Thrace Turkish minority’s religious life, social cohesion and identity.
He also referred to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and international law, arguing that rights protected under international agreements should not be undermined by decisions taken against the wishes of the minority concerned.
“We call on the Greek authorities to respect the will of the Western Thrace Turkish minority, recognise its elected muftis and abandon these imposed practices,” Turus said.
He added that YTB would continue to support the minority’s efforts to defend its rights and stand alongside what it considers its legitimate representatives.
Longstanding dispute over religious representation
The appointments in Gümülcine and İskeçe are part of a longstanding dispute between the Greek authorities and the Western Thrace Turkish minority over the selection and recognition of muftis.
While the Greek authorities use an official appointment procedure, representatives of the minority have called for the right to elect their own religious leaders.
Turus’s statement adds to calls from Türkiye and Western Thrace minority representatives for a resolution that respects the community’s wishes and addresses concerns over religious freedom and minority rights.
