Thousands of Greeks Orthodox became Muslims as soon as they became adults

*A great number of them live abroad away from relatives

By Andreas Papageorgopoulos

http:// ellinas-xoris-ellada.blogspot.com

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Completely different to the belief, the one we are losing day by day or with the one that is going to almost change by the government’s strict financial policy ( regardless those that are going to follow!). This is the religious belief of Muslims, which seems to gain more and more believers among the Greek Orthodox Christians that is us. Few years ago, we could not even think about it, but modern reality is completely different. We are talking about thousands of our fellow countrymen who have as adults convert with a full consciousness in Islam.

As for how many thousands are exactly, the numbers are vague as the vast majority of the converted Greeks prefer to keep hidden their conversion and their preference to Allah. Though it is certain, that most of the former Christian Orthodox Greeks lives beyond our country’s national borders, in America, in Europe, in Africa up to the land of Far East. But not to confuse ourselves, the Muslim legal or illegal immigrants who live in Greece temporarily or permanently, as well as the Muslim minority, who live close to our Northern borders, is a whole different story.

The very first demographic “disclosures” about the Greek believers of Allah happened approximately two years ago. May I remind you an excellent research article by Stella Kasdagli at “Pontiki” (4.12.2008) with plenty of informative material of the Internet (www.greeksrethink.com, www.greekmuslim.wordpress.com), interviews both named and unnamed about the suspicion, the fears of the Greek society, up to the hiding from their families. For example, Iman Sotiria Kouvalis, Muslim since 2000 and founder of the previously referred blog, refers an example of a parent’s reaction: “Oh my God!!  You became a Turk! It would be better if you were telling me that you are pregnant or a drug addict”.

So to conclude: “Jamilah Kolocotronis, author and lecturer in Islamic schools, originates (as she states in her curriculum vitae) from the family of Theodoros Kolocotronis, grew up at the United Sates of America with the stories of her grandfather about the Greek revoluti0on of 1821 against the Turks. “ When I went to college, I started learning about Islam. I was though, still carrying inside me the suspicion against the Muslim Turks, the people that my ancestor fought for the Greek Independence. It took me four years to convert to Islam. One of the reasons, I think, is that I could not take this decision and talk to my grandfather about it. He died in 1979, and I became a Muslim in 1980.”

Greek Muslims in Kuwait

By Gerasimos Loukatos

It was the first time  I heard the adhan (call to prayer) from my room’s half-open window. No compass needed since the arrow on the ceiling is already pointing the direction to Mecca. The small colorful carpet for the guests and access to water was everything I needed to perform my five daily prayers..

The second Kuwaiti European Convention was held at The Regency Hotel and hosted by the Islamic Presentation Committee (IPC). The aim of the convention was to provide European Islamic organizations with top-level knowledge in leadership and communication.

Lectures were delivered from scholars and practitioners, famous in the Muslim world such as Dr. Tareq Al Suwaidan, public speaker, author and expert in management and Dr. Moosa Al-Jowaiser, consultant and expert in psychology and personality types. Mahmoud  Al Saify Phd researcher in Islamology, Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick historian and ShaikhMuhammad Alshareef founder and president of Al Maghrib Institute almost completed the 2-week program of the convention.

Among the lecturers was Iman Sotiria Kouvalis, founder of Greeksrethink, expert in Strategic and Operational planning and author of the groundbreaking program “10 steps forward” and how to build an Olympic-level organization.

Muslim Association of Greece’s delegation was able to meet with participants from other organizations from Holland, Sweden and Norway and exchanged ideas and valuable information.

Side activities included visiting a dessert farm, the Cultural center, the Grand Mosque and several excursions to the streets of Kuwait city. It should be noted that Kuwait is example of a country where East meets the West, where the Imam’s call to prayer is heard in view of a decorated Christmas tree and people of different cultural and religious background live together in harmony.

Finally, in a well-meant competition the Greek team won the prize for an outstanding overall performance during the convention and for the best presentation of project as per following link:

Euphoria Video

Enjoy the Photo Gallery

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20 questions: Greeks, Muslims and racism

Source:  Ta Nea Newspaper

Translation © Greeks Rethink

Board Member of the Muslim Association of Greece, Iman Sotiria Kouvalis is Greek and embraced Islam in 2000, following studies in comparative religion. She is the founder of www.greeksrethink.com, the only meeting on line place of Greek Muslims everywhere, as well as those who are interested to know a little more about Greek Muslims and get possible questions answered.

Question 1: How serious is it for a Muslim to rip the Qur’an?

When someone rips the Qur’an, it shows disrespect to the sanctity of God.

Question 2: Do you justify the reaction of the Muslims?

The best way to resolve this matter is through the courts of justice and this is the path we will follow. As for those who react violently, this is contrary to our concept of religion and humanity.

Question 3: Was it politically motivated?

Political groups used isolated pockets of the most distressed immigrants to demonstrate in favour of broader problems, not just the ripped Qur’an.

Question 4: Did these political groups respect the Muslims of Athens?

Just a few immigrants came out with their supporters in the missed march, blackening the image of 10’s of thousands of Muslims who are either Greek citizens or are harmoniously intergrated in the Greek society.

Question 5: Did the Greek authorities respect the Muslims?

In general, they respect the Muslims. The incident with the Qur’an was something that had never happened before, nor was the police officer aware at that time of the seriousness of his action.

Question 6: How can the attack on the Qur’an be repaired?

The police could and still can issue a formal apology to the Muslims of Greece for their error.

Question 7: Are there Muslims who believe the incident was a “war against Islam.”

Any Muslim who tries to act as such on his own accord will be condemned by the majority of Muslims worldwide.

Question 8: How many Muslims live in Greece?

More than 1 million.

Question 9: How many Greeks are Muslims?

Apart from the Greek minority in Thrace, there are many Greeks who have embraced Islam and are either living in Greece or abroad.

Question 10: Why did a Christian woman embrace Islam?

Many Greek women accept islam and they feel liberated. They enjoy all rights given to them by God, including the right to be respected and honoured.

Question 11: What is the role of women in Islam?

Women and men in Islam have equal rights, but different roles. First and foremost is the commitment to God. After that, her primary role is like any woman, to care for her family. Then, if the woman wants, she can study or can be trained to work. Women in Islam are encouraged to study.

Question 12: Compared with Christianity?

Historically, when Islam established women’s rights in 7th century, as the right to property, inheritance etc., such rights were unknown to the world, including Christians.

Question 13: Is the headscarf compulsory or an option?

The headscarf is compulsory as stated clearly in our religion.

Question 14: Why do you wear the headscarf ?

I am happy when I wear headscarf as I obey God’s will. There is great wisdom behind this. I feel liberated, honoured and respected.

Question 15:  Is the burqa obligatory for  a Muslim?

The burqa is a garment worn only in Afghanistan and is not compulsory. Islam requires that women cover their  head, body and hands [arms] with modest clothing. They may wear what they want providing  they respect the initial conditions.

Question 16: Where is the issue of the mosque being stuck ?

In the cogs of bureacracy, lack of interest is given by the government to handle and resolve the matter.

Question 17: Without a mosque which mysteries can’t the Muslims  perform?

Islam has no mysteries in the sense that there are in Christianity. The mosque, however, is the core of Muslim life and a place of tranquility. Without a mosque, a believer can not pray on a Friday which is compulsory and to live a life full of spirituality.

Question 18: Without a Muslim cemetery where can the Muslims be buried?

Either they get buried in their countries of origin which is a  hopelessly a slow and costly process. The Greeks and those who have no homes to be buried, such as the Palestinians,  they get buried in a cemetery of Thrace,  which is also a slow and costly process.

Question 19: Where do marriages and baptisms take place?

In Islam, we have no mysteries such as marriages and baptisms. The name is given to the child at birth. The marriages are either in a register office  if one of the spouses is Greek or in the embassies of the country of origin.

Question 20: Is there  racism against Muslims?

Your everyday Greek citizen has no racisim against his Muslim neighbour.