Turkish FM calls unacceptable Greek FM statement on Koran reading in Hagia Sophia

In a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, it noted: "We call on Greece to show prudence in its statements as it has not allowed the construction of a mosque in Athens and constantly interferes in the religious freedoms of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and confuses the opposition to Islam with modernization."

"Among the values of modern, democratic and secular societies, there is also respect towards other religions and cults," the Turkish Foreign ministry added.

The Greek Foreign ministry had condemned as regressive the Turkish authorities’ announcement on the scheduling of a Koran reading in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, on the occasion of Ramadan.

"Obsessions, verging on bigotry, with Muslim rituals in a monument of world cultural heritage are incomprehensible and reveal a lack of respect for and connection with reality. Moreover, the Greek Foreign Ministry's announcement noted that such actions are not compatible with modern, democratic and secular societies," the announcement said.

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