Mufti Issue

[akritas]

Some few words as about Mufti Issue in Thrace. As you know Turkish has raised the nationalistic tones regarding the Turkish minority in Thrace.One of the matter that accused Greece (with the US help) is also and the mufti election issue. There is full transparency in the procedure of appointment of the Muftis of the Minority.

As a general rule, the Muslim religious leaders are appointed and not elected.

In Turkey itself, the Mufti is appointed by the Prefect according to the latter’s judgement and not elected.

In non-Islamic countries Muftis may be appointed, if the state does not involve itself in the religious matters of the Faithful.

In Greece, the Mufti is appointed by the Administration in a procedure in which prominent members of the Minority have their say.

Law no. 1920 “concerning Moslem Religious Functionaries” defines the procedure of appointment of the Mufti, his status as appointee, his duties and the rules of functioning of his office.

A further reason for the appointment of the Mufti by the Administration is that he performs certain judicial functions in matters of family and inheritance Law concerning the interpersonal relations of the Moslems. The Prefect initiates the procedure for the choosing of candidates who are proposed by eminent members of the Minority.

The Mufti is appointed by Presidential Decree following the recommendation of the Minister of Education and Religion. For the first time in 1990, the possession of an Islamic Theology Degree at university level became a prerequisite for the candidature.

It should be noted that from 1923 until 1990 the Muftis were appointed by the Prefect without anyone ever having protested or contested the procedure of appointment.

The actions of Mr. M.Agga and Mr. I.Serif, following a rigged election involving a minimal number of members of the Minortiry, constitute, according to the Greek Penal Code, the crime of pretence of authority of the lawful Muftis of Xanthi Mr. M.Sinikoglu and of Komotini Mr. M.Cemali.

Below is a picture from the anti-Greek Helsinki of Mr Demetras. There is a "wonderfull" presentaion of this illegal action in the Greek territory.Of course the supposing "activists" of Greek Helsinki forget that first of all is the Greek Constitution and Law. But this is another issue

The BALKAN Human Rights Web Pages

In the above link-picture we can see two thinks

-The fisrt one is the "wonderfull" presentation of this illegal action in the Greek territory. Of course the supposing "Greeks" of Helsinki forget that first of all is the Greek Constitution and Law.

-The second one is the votes. Only 9.544.!!!!