Two attacks on a mosque and a masjid on the same day in Komotini

FUEN Vice President and ABTTF President Halit Habip Oğlu: "Since both of the attacks were carried out on the same day and at the same hours, it reinforces the suspicion that these attacks were a threat and provocation"

A mosque and a masjid belonging to the Turkish Minority of Western Thrace in Komotini, Greece were attacked. According to the daily Birlik, the Mahmutağa mosque in Komotini’s district of Yenice was set on fire by an unidentified person or persons in the early morning on Friday, April 17, 2015. As a result of the arson attack, a fire broke out at the mosque’s entrance, but thanks to the fire brigade it did not spread to the other parts of the mosque and to the minority primary school of the minority next to it.

At the same hour, there was another attack on a masjid (small mosque) in the Alankuyu district of Komotini. An unidentified person or persons fell ten cypress trees around the masjid and destroyed a grave stone.

“We strongly condemn the attacks on a mosque and a masjid in different districts of Komotini. Such attacks directed against our religion are in no manner acceptable. Since both of the attacks were carried out on the same day and at the same hours, it reinforces the suspicion that these were a threat and provocation. We wish that these hate motivated attacks will not lead to bitterness within our community, and call upon our minority to stay away from such provocations and keep their calm.” stated Halit Habip Oğlu, Vice President of FUEN and President of the Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe (ABTTF).

*Photo: www.birlikgazetesi.info