President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF) Halit Habip Oğlu paid a working visit to Brussels, the capital of the European Union (EU), on 11 September 2026.
During the working visit, accompanied by Deniz Servantie from ABTTF Brussels Office, Habip Oğlu met with Coordinator on combating anti-Muslim hatred of the European Commission Marion Lalisse.
Habip Oğlu highlighted the current issues faced by the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace regarding freedom of religion and conscience, stating that the Minority is subjected to hate speech and attacks in Greek politics and the mainstream Greek media.
Drawing attention to the fact that the muftis freely elected by the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace are not recognised by the Greek state and that muftis are appointed in a manner in contradiction to religious autonomy, Habip Oğlu noted that Law No. 4964/2022 had transformed the autonomous mufti offices in Western Thrace into ordinary state departments.
Habip Oğlu indicated that four members of the Turkish Minority in Western Thrace had been unjustly sentenced to 17 months’ imprisonment for having reacted justly and legitimately to the provocations of the then state-appointed deputy muftis of Komotini, Xanthi and Didymoteicho during Friday prayers at the Çınar Mosque in Xanthi.
