First Mosque of Greece to Open its Doors Upcoming Spring

·

The Greek government is overseeing the service of its first-constructed mosque since gaining independence in 1821.

After years of debate and empty promises, Greece is set to open the doors of its first official mosque in the coming Spring. Initially, the Greek government planned to complete the mosque by 2004, coinciding with hosting the Olympic games. But with a legacy of 400-year Ottoman occupation, the construction of the mosque became a point of contention over the last two decades.

Once used as the site of a naval base, the government chose the Votanikos district for the construction of the mosque. Greek parliament reiterated the pledge in 2016, the National Herald reported. Meanwhile, the estimated 500,000 Muslims living in Greece make do with makeshift mosques in buildings, basements, and empty warehouses, as places of worship.

In the summer of 2019, the then Minister of Education and Religious Affairs oversaw the first official opening of the mosque, pending completion of security arrangements, administration, and cleaning services. “The right to religious freedom does not depend on how one ended up in our country. It’s like the right to education and health care (…) It is a non-negotiable human right,” the minister said, as reported by The Greek Reporter.

Praise and criticism

The construction of the mosque was met with both praise and criticism within the Muslim community. As the imam of the mosque, Sidi Mohammed Zaki expressed his gratitude to the Greek government and people: “The best person for Allah is the one who offers something to humanity. We thank the Greek people for accepting us as Greek citizens and Muslims, and I thank the Greek state for helping us set up this space.”

However, President of the Muslim Association of Greece Naim Elghandhour deplored the appearance of the mosque and sees it as an example of the inequality Muslims have to cope with in modern Greece. In March of last year, Elghandour took his disappointment to Thema 104.6 radio, stating: “Is this the mosque they’ve been telling us about for so many years?”.

Though the new mosque is funded by the state, Elghandour sees its appearance and limited seating, fit for around 300 people as a ‘pearls for swine’-attitude from Greek society. “My children go to school, to university, live equally with Greek children. But when they go to pray, one goes to church and the other goes to an underground garage. This proves to the young Muslim that he is not an equal citizen,” the Financial Times quoted Elghadour as saying.

Quid Pro Quo

With the Refugee Crisis in 2015, the arrival of refugees from Islamic countries within the Middle East has fuelled an already feverish debate on the role of Islam in Greek society. In November 2016, 15 members of nationalist groups occupied the site for the mosque, citing fears for the longevity of Greek identity, as reported by The New York Times.

The construction of the mosque became the topic of international debate, when President Erdogan of Turkey offered to pay for it, back in 2013. Seeking to reinstate the historical legacy of Ottoman rule within Greece, President Erdogan has expressed the desire to reopen the Fethiye Mosque in Athens, which has been closed since 1821, the year of Greece’s independence.

In the same vein, the Greek government is hoping to reopen the Orthodox Halki seminary, situated on the Halki island and has been closed by Turkey since 1971. “Look you want something from us, you want the Halki seminary. And I tell you (Greece), come, let’s open the Fethiye Mosque,” Erdogan stated prior to the local elections in 2019, according to France24.

But, unlike Switzerland where the construction of minarets has been outlawed by virtue of a referendum in 2009, the mosque in Athens has no minarets. On a quid pro quo basis, President Erdogan suggested earlier this week that if Greece wishes to reopen the Halki seminary, the mosque in Athens must have minarets.

Sourced via Morocco World News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

IHO NYX brings Greek Rock to centre stage in Sydney this weekend

As Sunday, April 6 approaches, all eyes are on IHO NYX, the band ready to electrify Sydney with a concert dedicated entirely to Greek Rock.

Party for a purpose: Support the Pontian House at the Winter Wonderland Gala 2025

The Pontian Association of NSW Pontoxeniteas will host its highly anticipated Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 on Saturday, May 31, at 6.30 PM.

‘Comedy Cartel’: A night of laughter at the Hellenic Club of Canberra

Get ready for a night of laughter and cultural celebration as Comedy Cartel makes its debut at the Hellenic Club of Canberra this June.

Cypriot courage remembered: Join the ANZAC Day March, keep their legacy alive 

On Anzac Day we commemorate the bravery and good deeds of Australian, New Zealand and Allied forces over many conflicts.

Orthodox Mission in Madagascar uplifted by Australian generosity

As Bishop Theophilos prepares to return to Madagascar, he issued a statement expressing his deep gratitude for the support and affection.

You May Also Like

Women over 35 using online dating apps hit with ‘rejection violence,’ experts say

Greek Australian, Stacey Koniaras, returned to the dating scene after her divorce and there was nothing pleasant about her experience.

City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas to stand as an Independent at local elections

City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas has confirmed he will stand as an Independent candidate at the next Local Government Elections.

‘It’s in my blood’: Ada Nicodemou on how her Cypriot upbringing inspires her acting

Ada Nicodemou is in the running to win a TV Week Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress for her role as Leah Patterson in Home and Away.