(Katherimini) Turkey has called on Greece to “re-examine” a provision voted through Parliament last month that stipulates Muslim religious leaders (muftis) in the Greek border region of Western Thrace must retire at the age of 67.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy accused Athens on Monday of attempting to remove the autonomous status of the office of muftis.
“Our kin in Western Thrace are concerned over the draft bill aiming to lift the autonomous status of the office of the mufti that was assigned by international agreements,” Aksoy said.
“We expect this amendment regarding the office of the mufti, which serves the religious needs of minorities, to be reconsidered in line with the feedback and requests of minorities,” he added.
