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Source: www.tovima.gr

By Achilles Hekimoglou 21^st of November 2010

Anna Stamou

One of the leading international Muslim awards of Europe was recently given to a Greek lady. The public relations manager of the Muslim Association of Greece miss Anna Stamou is included in the 10 Muslim ladies with the greater and most positive influence in Europe, next to personages like the famous Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid! Miss Stamou found herself among the top 10 of the female aspect’s expression of the modern, moderate Islam, receiving a relevant award by the European Muslim Professionals Network (CEDAR), which is supported by the well known Institute of Strategic Dialogue, also known as the “Three Club”. The award ceremony , which took place three weeks ago in Madrid, is an important step for Greece so as to have a voice on the continuously widening circle of influence on the European Muslims, of the importance of whom has been stated over the last few years by numerous analysts of the international relations of our country.

Miss Stamou refers on the nowadays big issue that preoccupies the mind of thousands of Greeks and foreign Muslims, meaning the creation of an Islamic prayer site and cemetery in the capital. “We had suggested creating a simple, functional infrastructure that will be aesthetically compatible with the surrounding area. We do not imagine any luxuries just a functional prayer site.” And at the same time she criticizes the new phenomenon of islamophobia in Greece, characterising it as temporal and of ephemeral consuming. “In the past there were the communists, today are the Muslims. In a few time though, this will no longer have any effect and shall be forgotten” she underlines

In addition, she highlights that the lack of a Mosque is not the only deficiency, but there is also the lack of accredited officially appointed Imams in our country. “The imam –as well as the priest and the spiritual instructors-aids with his consultation people or couples who face problems, seek for psychological support or they confront moral dilemmas. Furthermore, we do have mixed weddings, where so many women ignore their rights. This is a tragedy.” She adds that it is necessary to create all the required institutions with Greek and not with foreign funds. “In such cases the financial contributor, has the upper hand. We have seen countries such as Holland and Great Britain to establish the state’s control.”

Miss Stamou became a Muslim six years ago, as she found answers for her inner philosophical quests. “My quest has been long, I was always seeking answers and I always had answered questions, not necessarily of theological nature. In my quest of truth, I could not get satisfactory answers. Thus, I consulted several philosophical schools; I dealt deeply with Pythagoras, through whom I found myself embracing Islam. “she states. During this quest she met her current husband, with whom they jointed as volunteers the organisation “Doctors of the World”, during the war in Iraq. Then was the time when she came into closer contact with Islam, and she started researching deeper to its teachings. “I thought due to the knowledge I have acquired from school that this is an inferior and distorted religion. Islam though had given me answers. I said then to myself that I should learn more about this religion. Many of the questions I had, started sorting themselves out with a simplicity that was really annoying!” she states. Miss Stamou underlines that due to the historical facts in our country many people confuse Muslims with Turkey, a thing she says it is wrong. “I have been a Muslim for so many years and I have learnt the word bayram last year! During my way to Islam, I have never met Turkey. The European citizen who becomes Muslim he does not obtain knowledge from the Turks, but from the Arabs, following Arab teachers” she underlines. “In Europe those who embrace Islam learn from English and French sources. Though there are thousands Greek Muslims, I do not understand why there are not any published book in Greek. Thankfully, we published five books.” She says.

She as well says that her transition from Christianity to Islam was escorted by acceptance from the side of family and her friends.”I have not met any negative reactions. Some people might have questions or they might not like it. But what could I do? Anyhow, they did not like yoga either!  I did not change my social behaviour, I just wore a head scarf!” she narrates.

Miss Stamou is 37 years old and she was born in Athens, one month after the riot of Polytechneio. “My mother, being eight months pregnant to me, was watching the facts from the roof of our house.” She was born and bred in Ilioupolis, studied Business administration and Economics, though she professionally dealt with sign language but also with yoga, which she still teaches! The awarded Greek lady, is married with the chairman of the Muslim Association of Greece, Mr. Elgandhour , is a mother of two children , and she is the public relations manager of the previously referred association. “A few years ago, I had an office for the young Muslims, though I have translated from English language books relevant with Islam” she states. Though for many years, her main occupation was the family business, an old small factory of athletic wear that their parents had, which due to the recession shut down.

“Wearing hijab is a matter of choice”

The issue of hijab consists an important issue for many countries, for Miss Stamou though things are quite simple.

Miss Stamou holding a tray on her hands she treats guests during Ramadan

“Hijab is a part of the faith, a part you can choose to follow or not. It is your choice” she adds. Though, as she highlights, it has not only a social standing, as anyone who does an internal request, will also find other things. “The hijab is a matter of choice. But, anywhere where is enforced, is a wrongdoing. Certainly, in my opinion, when it is exposed as a symbol of oppression, is wrong. I have seen women who fight for their right to wear it” she states.

Miss Stamou refers on her award with satisfaction. “There were ten awards given, all of them equally given. I was awarded due to my actions through the Muslim Association to claim an Islamic prayer site and a cemetery but also for my positive contribution in society. The European Muslim Professionals Network (CEDAR) promotes education, progress, business, creativity, arts and sciences. It is not a religious institution” she highlights.

As she says, the basis of all the issues is the peaceful coexistence and tolerance. “During Ramadan, we eat together with our Christian friends; this is something that is not easily found in Europe. Furthermore, my daughter loves and is eager for Christmas. So they last approximately up… to Easter!” she concludes.

Questions were racing through my mind.  Does this makes me a Muslim? What is a Muslim after all? And is it easy to become one? And what happens after that? What if I regret?

It was minutes after my shahada (my declaration of the Islamic faith), a few weeks ago.

It took me almost 9 years to believe there is actually a God and choose Islam as the way to worship Him.  But why was that? Having a very hard life so far, full of personal traumatic experiences of which I could not be responsible for during childhood, puberty and adolescence, a person does not have the right to make his own choices by law, I was led to disappointment.

I almost completely rejected the presence of God or of any Divinity in my life.

Although I was completely dissatisfied by the behaviour of the clergy in Greece and still having the words of the burial service which says “rest your servant ignoring all sins,” I decided to start reading about religion.

Feeling tormented, tired and a bit desperate to find answers to my questions, I choose to read religion initially and then philosophy and history of sciences instead of trying to find my way through fortune tellers or tarot readers, drugs or alcohol.

No matter how hard someone tries to numb himself so he doesn’t feel any pain, the pain will always be there, waiting to be confronted. Being deeply ethical and raised with the traditional values of a middle class Greek family , values of honesty, pride and dignity, I did not want to be part of any religious or philosophical group just to satisfy my needs for warmth and affection. And I definitely, loved and honoured my Greek cultural identity and I did not want to imitate or fake any other identity or nationality.

I started researching Christianity and mainly the Orthodox Dogma, then Judaism and Buddhism and finally Islam. I started gradually believing in God, my faith becoming stronger with time. At some point I started having questions about the Trinity, questions for which I found the answers in Islam.

What I realised is that Islam is the religion that closes the circle of Divine revelations. Islam means peace and Muslim means the person who offers himself to God and God only, with no remorse or personal benefit. Allah is not a new invention, it’s just the Arabic word for God, the half moon is not a symbol of blood bathing and revenge but is a reminder that Muslim people calculate the time based on the moon rather than the sun.

At this point I seriously started to consider myself as a believer rather than an agnostic. In the meantime, I moved to United Kingdom, to further educate myself though postgraduate studies. I do not know if it was a sign but while I was in UK, I kept meeting really nice people, the majority of them being Muslims, and I ended up marrying one of them.

I continued reading more and more and was becoming focused on Islam this time. Though not only reading, watching documentaries, attending Islamic lectures, going to Islamic museums, attending Islamic classes.

And there comes the questioning. Do I want to be part of a religion that has so many different variations of interpretation of its Holy Book? Would I want to be part of a group that would be a religious minority in my country? Would I want to be part of a religious group where most people, of the ones I have met at least, are paying attention just to the rules of worship and not the worship itself? Or would I want to be part of a religion which is used by its own followers to inspire hate and hostility?

I got again disappointed but this time not by the religion itself or the philosophy itself or from the Quran but from the followers. And then I realised that I cannot blame the religion itself since I found the answers to my questions, from its followers. I decided to start living as a Muslim for a period of time, to see what it takes and see if it is really so hard. As it is stated in Quran, men and women were created equally having their own free will.

But what does it mean to live as a Muslim? Wearing an abaya and niqaab? Praying 10 times a day? Fasting strictly during Ramadan? Staying at home and having loads of children? Avoiding any kind of joyful experience just in case you do something forbidden? Certainly not, in my opinion.

Islam is not a strict system of rules or a kind of imprisonment. Doing good deeds every single day, trying to avoid bad actions, praying as much as you can, fasting as much as you can, showing love and compassion and always fighting peacefully to improve yourself, progressing and evolving in knowledge day by day, trying your best every single day, this is what it takes to be a Muslim.

I realised that I could live as a Muslim, I just changed the way and the frequency of my prayers, I stopped completely eating pork or drinking alcohol and I wore a headscarf. That’s all. So after this so long journey, I decided to have my shahada done admitting firstly to myself that ‘There is no god but Allah (God), and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (God).

Written by:

Myrto Z.

Athens, Greece

Translation © Muslim Association of Greece

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It was characterised by the great numbers of people who participated and the request for respect the rights of the immigrants. It was blemished by the attitude of a group of people who disagree with the presence of foreigners in the country. In Tuesday morning, under the occasion of one of the most important feasts of Islam, Muslim immigrants performed a public prayer in 15 points of Athens.

At Propylaia, was realised the wider participation of Muslims for the feast of Qurban Bayram, that refers to the sacrifice of Abraham’s son. At about two thousand Muslims, originating from different countries, kept their custom. After they placed sheets on the ground, in the courtyard of Athens Academy, they took of their shoes and they keeled following the Imam’s prayers, who travelled from the Islamic University of Egypt to participate in the ceremony.

The public religious performance of Muslims in Athens, symbolised as well, the need of the construction in Attica, like the administration of political asylum. Like the big red banner “We ask for political asylum”. Besides, the prayer took place next to the tents of the Iranians hunger strikers, who as being political refugees they demand asylum from the Greek authorities.

The Police was discretely present in the manifestation, in order to deter any aggressiveness by people who are not fond of the immigrants. The few aggressive incidents that happened at Propylaia were minor interest, mainly focused on the verbal protest of the passing pedestrians, who were expressing thoughts such as “in Constantinople, the Greeks cannot pray.”

In Attica square, the demonstration expanded in three additional elements: music notes, eggs and yogurts. Approximately 50 extreme rightists, who tried from the previous night to occupy the area but they were drove off by the police, they gathered early in the morning in the square and started soughing abusive slogans against the immigrants. Although they did not leave the area, they were strayed by the lined police officers.

Nevertheless, “allies” were found in a balcony of an adjacent building. Three women raised Greek flags and put on loud music, harassing the immigrants’ prayer. In addition, they were shouting abusive slogans. In the account the throw of two eggs and two yogurts towards the square is added. Clearly worried, the approximately 500 immigrants (majorly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) did note reacted. After they fulfilled the ceremony, they immediately left the area. 

Translator:  Myrto Zacharof

© Translation: Muslim Association of Greece

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Habiba Sriz is full of controversies. She was born in Casablanca, she studied Fashion in Paris, she fell in love in Athens and she lives in Alimos for the last 20 years. Her husband is a converted Muslim. She is Muslim as well, wearing colourful hijabs and she speaks openly about them.

Religious symbols were the reason we met 3 years ago. She was participating in a theatrical play, its scenario  mostly focused on fear and ignorance of the West for the hijab (Muslim headscarf).We have spoken about women’s place in Islam, the relationships between the sexes, the identification of people in the society. So to prove to me the western clichés, she invited me to her brother’s wedding in Morocco. “Come to see how our women really are.”  I told her then that the Mediterranean Sea beautifies everything.

The tenderness in the look of people kept her here. In the beginning, her hijab was unnoticed.” I used to travel by bus from Kalamaki to go for shopping to Athens, no one was calling me a stranger and I never felt other people’s curiosity on the street. Though lately, additionally to recession, a racist, xenophobic attitude was developed within the society. I think some people in order to get in power are using us, inventing racism.”

A month ago, Habiba was chosen as a representative by the Communist party, in the municipal elections, for Alimos area. She accepted straight away. “I want to support legal immigrants, I do not want people to perceive us as threats.” The society’s structure has changed. The traditions we used to learn when we were younger, it is spread to other groups as well, is evolving. Habiba’s example, Agapi as they call her here, beyond political parties and ideologies, identifies a knowledgeable person who is confident about herself and her beliefs. Habiba did not lose her identity in the “foreign” country but she complied with its constitution and its regulations and she decided to stand out proudly, to address herself to her “own” people. Her placement in a political candidates list is a rare political move in order to weaken conservatism.

Translated by: Myrto Zacharof

© Translation: Muslim Association of Greece

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The argumentation of the LAOS deputy, A. Georgiadis against the construction of the Mosque in Athens, yesterday in the Greek Parliament, reminded the well known Greek saying “Gypsies were happy to meet each other.”

Fortunately the deputy did not ask, at least directly, to deport all the Muslim inhabitants, as apparently he realised that many of them are needed to our society and economy. Though, he asked to banish the construction of the Mosque. To make a long story short, if we treated them as slaves without any rights, and foremost without any religious rights or in the best case scenario if we established Mosques without minarets (something like a church without a dome, steeple and Altar) the LAOS party would be delighted.

By pushing himself one step backwards, the deputy literally suggested to grant them permission for a lair. Great supporter of racist stands, G. Karatzferi’s deputy was not even daunted by the surrogate Minister of Defence P.Mpeglitis, who highlighted to him the fact that we are the only country of European Union that does not have a Mosque for the Muslim Greek nationals and the visitors, that does not serve our country’s best interest to encourage an extremist and xenophobic ambiance and that the uncontrollable, spread all over Mosques are by far worse.

Obviously he forgets that hate brings back more hate, especially during heavy recession.

Translated by: Myrto Zacharof

I am currently Greek Orthodox Christian and it is sad how even the Orthodox Church is becoming westernized. Women and men should still stand on opposite sides in church, the women should still cover their heads in church, the men should not be wearing gold chains and/or ripped jeans, among many other things. Its starting to look like a Catholic Church. Going to church has become a status competition in the Greek Community. So many Greeks go to church to gossip and show off their wealth. Its ridiculous. Its not even about God any more. I would say the most devout Eastern Orthodox I know are my Coptic Egyptian friends.

This is why recently I have been researching about Islam. I have quite a few Muslim friends because culturally as Greek I can relate to them more than an American. Even if I did choose to convert, it would be a very hard transition and it would completely change my relationship with my family. I am afraid they would frown upon me becoming Muslim and I am worried I would have a hard time adjusting to the lifestyle of Islam. I don’t know what to think any more. In my opinion, if you are going to be Christian, Eastern Orthodoxy is best, only if you follow the doctrine and traditions, which are being diluted in today’s society. I have respect for both Islam and Christianity, and honestly if I could follow both faiths I would; but the Islamic faith seems to most consistently practice the traditional, conservative, and respectful way of life that Allah has intend us to follow.

-Vasili

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The evening of Tuesday August 10, 2010 representatives of all Muslim communities responded to the call of the Muslim Association of Greece and met at Pendeli Observatory for the third year in order to sight the new moon for themselves that will start the beginning of the Ramadan month.

With great pleasure, the Athens Observatory (www.noa.gr) responds to our request for sighting the new moon with our the eyes of the reps of Muslims of Attica. Distinguishes scientists explain the phenomenon of new moon and reply to the questions of the participants. Everyone of them have the chance to look at the telescope. This year, like last year, we were hosted by Dr. Anastasios Dapergolas who responded to many questions and explained that new moon is a global phenomenon, not a local one, subsequently the only thing that changes is the local time of each country.

People from all lengths of the Muslim world were present. From Morocco to Bangladesh, from Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Algeria, Iran, Pakistan, Kurds, and of course Greeks. Among us was the honored guest of MAG, imam of Al Azhar university sheikh Mohammed Abdelsalam. All together we left to inform the prayer places of the common decision, based on the astronomical data of Pendeli Observatory, that the new moon is born and the forst of Ramadan is August 11^th, 2010. So the Taraweeh prayer at the praying places of Attica has started on Tuesday night at 10.

Ramadan Kareem

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My name is Aisha(19 years old) and I am Greek currently living in Czech Republic for my studies. When I was in Greece i had no idea about Islam, due to the lack of information about it in Greece. I just thought that it is a religion for Arabs… However Allah gave me the opportunity to see this beautiful way of life in Czech Republic.

As most of the Greeks understand being a muslim in Greece is not very common. In about 1 month i will go back to Greece and i will have to face my Christian parents. Although they are not very religious, they don’t go to church except Easter and Christmas and sometimes not even then, the idea of having a different religion from the rest of my family (and the rest of the Greek citizens) and the idea that i will make it so obvious by wearing the hijab will not give a very good reaction according to their behaviour…

I would appreciate it a lot if you could give me some advise on how to talk to them and what to tell them because they don’t know anything for islam except that it is a religion that people from Pakistan that live in the city center,where most of violence occurs in Athens. May Allah help me and make it easy for me.

Moreover, showing off in Greece is something that I use to do but i find it meaningless anymore. Girls nowdays in Greece have lost their mind and walk almost naked in the street,driving the attention of every female person that passes next to them.

However this is something very common, but wearing the hijab isn’t.. I don’t know what my non-muslim friends will be with the idea of going out with a girl that covers her body… Iknow them since i was a little child and they will understand but i will have to explain them in the right way… do you have any suggestions?

Even a very small advice might be very usefull for me so please help a new muslim girl that needs your help.  please take in consideration that i reverted to islam 2 weeks ago

The following text is for muslim women:

In Czech Republic like in Greece there are not a lot of muslims especially girls. Can you please send me a few basic information about basic things concerning the islam?

not for the social life but the every day life and things that muslim gilrs do!

Peace be upon all of you!!

Thanks to all of you spending time even reading about my story.

ALL PRAISES BE TO ALLAH!

Salam!

© Translation: Muslim Association of Greece

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by Gerasimos Loukatos

As a Greek, I learned to be proud for the country I was born and raised in, the cradle of democracy and of a great civilization that our ancestors established. As a Muslim, I met another great civilization whose achievements benefit humanity but are known only by a few.

When joining the team of the Muslim Association of Greece, on the road to our meetings with officials of the Ministry of Education, I had doubts about the outcome. The mosque should have stood upright since 2004 so what could change after six years?

To my great surprise, I met people there that showed a sincere interest for the thousands of Muslims that have no official place to pray and they feel isolated. For all those who do not find the guidance of an acknowledged imam when they need it, and for those who cannot be buried to the country that they were born in, raised or spent most of their lives in.

With great joy, I read about the announcement of the Minister of Education for the immediate construction of the Islamic mosque, not only because there will be an official place for me to pray but for the guidance I need as a new Muslim. I am also happy because this is an action in the right direction that is in harmony with the ideals of democracy. An action that I do not read in a history book but in articles that talk about tomorrow!

I am as much Greek as a Muslim and those who know Islam in depth know that this is the middle way. It is no more than the famous saying ‘Metron Ariston’ [free translation all in good measure], applied in every aspect of Muslim’s life.

In the middle of this crisis, maybe the necessary changes shall succeed that will lead to a harmonious coexistence and equal rights and obligations, no matter what religion, beliefs or other factors. The only negative point is the inadequate capacity that comes from the statements of the officials for the mosque and the future problems they might occur.

The steps to the right direction could be more correct if the ‘future’ factor was considered into the equation.

*Gerasimos Loukatos is member of the Muslim Association of Greece

Translated by Anna Stamou

The Muslim Association of Greece annual report highlights its accomplishments throughout the year through photos and descriptions. Click on the photo below to download the annual report.