02/04/2013 - HURRIYET
Muslims pray at Greek mosque for first time in 90 years
A mosque in Thessaloniki, Greece, welcomed Muslim worshippers for the first time in 90 years on Saturday. The mosque was used as a museum and then an exhibition hall.


Greek Muslims have prayed in a 111-year-old mosque in the city of Thessaloniki for the first time in 90 years. Fifty madrasah students from Komotini who were visiting Thessaloniki prayed on March 30 in the historical New Mosque, which is normally used as an exhibition hall. The students reportedly went to Thessaloniki with an initiative of the city’s mayor, Yiannis Boutaris.
“A positive step has been taken in the right direction,” said Kerim Uras, Turkey’s ambassador to Greece. “We’re expecting the rest to come. I hope Athens will also be a place where Muslims can pray.”