Ανακοίνωση Τύπου για επίσκεψη σε Τζέντα, Μέκκα και Μεδίνα, Σοφολογιωτάτων Μουφτήδων Κομοτηνής κ. Μέτσο και Ξάνθης κ. Σινίκογλου, 26.05 - 01.07.2016

PRESS RELEASE

The muftis and spiritual leaders of the officially recognized Muslim minority of Thrace in northern Greece, Mr. Metso, Mufti of Komotini and Mr. Sinikoglou, Mufti of Xanthi, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. They led an official delegation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from May 26 until June 1st 2016.
Mr. Metso is a graduate of the Madinah University, Department of Illumination and Islamic law and he was appointed in 1978 by the Grand Mufti Abdul-Aziz bib Baz as official preacher in Greece. Mr. Sinikoglou is a graduate of the Madinah University, Department of Theology and Religious Studies with religious and literature studies also in the Universities of Riyadh, Bagdad and Vienna and he was appointed in 1977 by the Ministry of Wakfs and Religion Affairs of the KSA as official preacher in Greece.
The two Muftis of the Greek Muslim minority had a series of meetings with religious Leaders, the Muslim World League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Islamic Development Bank, and key persons with the KSA Government and Administration. The official visit concluded with an audience they were accorded with HE the Minister of Haj and Umrah Mr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Bentem.
During meetings, the Muftis had the opportunity to exchange ideas on the Umma and to present the positive measures the Government of Greece has adopted on a host of issues aiming to further enhance the well-being of the minority. Particular emphasis was placed on latest developments in the education field. It was noted that Greek Muslim youth who wish to pursue their studies in public schools, instead of minority schools, are offered the option, through a new policy of public hiring of qualified Islamic instructors, to be taught the Holy Quran in public schools. The credentials of the Instructors are meticulously checked by an all-Muslim committee, headed by the Mufti of Komotini. They also announced the establishment of a new Islamic Studies Department in the University of Thessaloniki, which has the ambition to attract professors and students from the whole Islamic world.
The two Muftis informed their interlocutors of the ongoing program of restoration, repair and refurbishment of hundreds of mosques in Thrace, northern Greece.
At the meeting with HE the Minister of Haj and Umrah, the visiting Muftis of the Greek Muslim minority expressed again gratitude and appreciation for the efforts and all the measures adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to make possible for the pilgrims to perform Umrah and Haj in the most organized and safe manner. Many Greeks are expected this year also to perform Umrah and Haj. The meeting concluded with HE the Minister Mr. Mohammed Saleh bin Taher Bentem bestowing upon them the holy Keswat al-Kaba.