Greece plans to build mosque in Athens soon

Athens, Dec 11, IRNA – Greek Prime Minister told parliament that the Muslims have right to own a place to practice their religious rites and construction of a mosque will begin soon in Athens.

George Papandreou, in his speech in parliament, said that 25 years ago, former Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou promised to build a mosque in Athens, but it never happened and this is really shameful.

Andreas Papandreou, father of current prime minister, was in power from 1981 to 1989 and again 1993 to 1996 when he passed away.

Because of good relations between him and the Islamic countries, he had repeatedly declared that he intended to build a mosque for Muslims residing in Athens, but church and other power centers in the country prevented him with various pretexts.

Referring to necessity of building a mosque in Athens, the prime minister said that immigrant and non-immigrant Muslims, who reside in the city of Athens, have the right to own a place for practicing their spiritual rites.

He stressed that operation to build a mosque in Athens will begin soon and all necessary coordination has been done and the government is determined to do that.

Athens is the only capital of a member country of European Union in which there is no mosque.

There are around 400 to 500 thousand immigrant Muslims living in the city of Athens./end