Turkey Reacts to Greece's Mufti Appointment Practices in Western Thrace

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement criticizing Greece's practices of appointing muftis for the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.

In the statement dated October 24, 2026, it was emphasized that the Greek authorities' method of appointing muftis to Komotini and Xanthi is incompatible with the rights of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority, which are guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne and international agreements. The Ministry stated that the institution of the muftiate is an integral part of the minority's religious, social, and cultural identity.

The statement, which expressed that Greece insists on not recognizing the muftis elected by the will of the minority, called for an end to attempts to impose appointed muftis.