Turkey Wants Athens Mosque Reopened
The Turkish government called on Greece to reopen the Fathiya Mosque, the only Muslim place of worship in the Greek capital, trouvetamosquee website reported.
Metin Kulunk, a member of parliament from the ruling Justice and Development party said Turkey will allow a conference of Greek Orthodox Church to be held only if the mosque’s closure ends.
Athens is the only European capital where Muslims have no place to go and say their prayers.
While more than 200,000 Muslims live in Athens, political officials have not fulfilled their promise to build a mosque in the city.
The Fathiya Mosque, which dates back to 1456, is the oldest building in Athens belonging to the Ottoman era.
The doors of the mosque have been closed to Muslims since 1829.
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