The new muftis of Komotini and Xanthi were sworn in at Greece’s Education Ministry on Friday, completing a selection process that drew competing statements from Athens and Ankara last week.
Bilal Kara Halil took the oath as mufti of Komotini and Sioukri Serif Damadoglou as mufti of Xanthi in the presence of Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, according to the ministry’s October 30 announcement.
The ceremony followed the appointments already reported by Greek Reporter.
Thrace muftis take office under the 2022 framework
The ministry said the process involved a 33-member committee drawn from imams, Islamic theologians and religious teachers. It described the appointments as completing the selection of new muftis for the region’s three muftiates.
Emin Serif, the mufti of Didymoteicho, had been sworn in in January. The ministry said the appointments ended a prolonged period of temporary leadership and presented the procedure as protecting religious freedom and the minority’s traditions.
Athens and Ankara disagree over representation
In its October 24 statement, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry challenged the appointments in both towns. It called on Greece to recognize muftis elected by members of the minority, arguing that appointed leaders disregarded the community’s will and religious freedoms.
Ankara described the community as “a Turkish minority” and invoked rights it said were protected under the Lausanne treaty and other international agreements.
Greece’s response that day rejected that characterization. Athens said the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne defines a religious minority whose members are Greek citizens.
The Greek ministry defended Law 4964/2022, saying it provides participation by members of the minority, including women. It also accused Turkey of interference in Greece’s internal affairs and pointed to Turkey’s own system of state-appointed muftis.
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