Halit Habip Oğlu: “As the Turkish community in Western Thrace, we demand an immediate end to the practices eliminating our religious and educational autonomy guaranteed by the treaties.”
The Greek Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Niki Kerameus visited the religious and educational institutions of the Greek Orthodox minority living in Istanbul on 14 February 2020. Karameus visited Zappeion (Zapyon), Zografeion (Zağrofyan) and Phanar (Fener) Greek Orthodox high schools and afterwards the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Fener where she met with Patriarch Bartholomew I and members of the Holy Synod. “Hellenism stands here (in Turkey) thanks to our churches and schools”, stated Karameus during her visit to the Patriarchate and explained one of the reasons for visiting the Greek Orthodox schools is to deliver a clear message in that respect.
“Just as it is the case for the Greek Orthodox minority, our Turkish minority schools and mufti offices are the guarantee of our Turkishness. However, our country Greece, in stark contrast to the positive practices of our motherland Turkey towards the Greek Orthodox minority does not recognize our elected muftis, renders our mufti offices as simple government offices and closes down our schools where our mother tongue Turkish is taught. As the Turkish community in Western Thrace, we demand an immediate end to the practices eliminating our religious and educational autonomy guaranteed by the treaties”, said Halit Habip Oğlu, President of Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).
*Image: http://milletgazetesi.gr
