GREECE: Turkey Opposes Letting Greece Name Imams

Turkish officials have slammed legislation that will enable Greek authorities to appoint imams at state schools and mosques in Western Thrace.

The amendment voted this week, which will allow religious teachers to teach the Quran, is expected to curb the influence of the Turkish Consulate, which has funded imams and the Quran teaching centers.

“Greece has disregarded the legitimate demands of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, taking an overbearing stance,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Athens only recognizes a Muslim minority.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras rejected the allegations, saying the move is part of Greek efforts to improve the minority’s religious and cultural status.

Tensions remain in Greece among the Muslim community which has been pressing the government to build them an official mosque instead of forcing them to worship in makeshift halls and basements.