Eid Al Adha prayer for Muslims in Athens
November 17, 2010
Source: City Press
Translation © Muslim Association of Greece
Yesterday’s public player that was performed by at least 13.000 Muslims in twelve different points of Attica was unprecedented for what is usually happening in the capital. This public manifestation worked as triggering event for the development of a Mosque in Athens but as well as the expected social reactions.
The prayer, which was performed due to the occasion of celebrating the first day of the Muslim feast Eid-Al-Adha (equivalent to the sacrifice of Abraham) started at 7:40 in the morning and lasted approximately three hours. As the Greek Police stated, the Muslims’ manifestations were attended by 4.000 people at Aigaleo, 2.000 at Kiprou str. at Moschato, 500 at Propilea were the prayer took place under the initiative of the Muslim Association of Greece, 600 at Attica square, 1.000 in the old Racetrack Court in Faliro, 1.000 at Karamanlis Avenue at Menidi, 300 at the in the basketball court of Elefsina, 250 at Aspropirgos and 1.000 in the court of Ierotheos at Peristeri.
All the manifestations took place peacefully, with the exception though of Attica square. There, a group of habitants attacked with eggs and with other objects against the offhand prayer site, though other habitants had placed on their balconies Greek flags, they put loud music inorder to interrupt the process of the prayer.
The Request for an Official Prayer Site
Yesterday’s prayer was the third one that took place in a public place, (previously it had been performed in Kotzia square and in Olympic stadium) but it was the most impressive. The representatives of the Muslims referred again on their claim for the development of an official prayer site. Mr. K. Aivaliotis representative of LAOS’s party stated that this is a “demonstration of power in Athens by African Muslims.”
“In the times we live in, it is imposed, in the civilisation we claim we are having and which governs our society, and it is a duty of the Greek state, to facilitate each person who wants to perform his religious duties” the Government’s representative, G. Petalotis, highlighting that “there is a legal commitment made to create a Mosque in Athens, in order for our fellow Muslim citizens to perform with safety and liberty their religious rights.”
In Athens… by Coach
“Athens needs many , small sized religious prayer sites for the immigrants”, the journalist Stavros Theodorakakis claimed yesterday while on air on the radio station Flash, who due to his show for the flux of immigrants in Greece through the land borders( it will be presented next Sunday) , he stayed for a few days in Evros.
“ The loops that originate from Turkey, meaning the slavers and the traffickers have realised that practically the Greek Authorities have no practical means to oppose against the flux of unarmed immigrants” Mr.Theodorakis stated, though Mr. Salamagkas, police officer of Orestiada , referred, participating in the same show , that the Authorities after the capture of the immigrants and their identification, they release all those who cannot be deported (such as Palestinians or Afghanis for whom there are specific international treaties about their immunity.) They are given a piece a paper referring that they should leave the country within thirty days and they leave them free outside the detention centres where they are temporarily located. There usually there is a coach awaiting them who transports them in Athens.
Translator: Myrto Zacharof
20 questions: Greeks, Muslims and racism
June 21, 2009
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.
Communist Party of Greece shows support for Palestinians
January 3, 2009
Detailed coverage on demonstrations held by the Communisty Party in Greece to show support for the Gaza humanitarian crisis can be viewed on their website.
Below is an excerpt:
On Monday, December 30, KKE held a demonstration in Athens at the embassies of the United States and Israel on Monday denouncing the Israeli aggression and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
KKE Secretary General Aleka Papariga speaking to the press on the occasion of the demonstration said that,
“Europe is literally full of Pontius Pilates. Lets’ not forget that just a couple of days before the European Parliament upgraded the relations with Israel. The time has come now for us to take to the streets, just like then with the war in Yugoslavia,” adding that “today, Gaza is being murdered literally and not only. They want to wipe out every hope for the creation of a Palestinian state. And, of course, in no way is Israel in danger from Palestine.”
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