“In Turkey, populated basically with muslims (99 %) ethnic minorities like Armenians, Greeks and Jews can freely exercise their religion,” Spanish ABC daily quotes Turkish official Egemen Bagis. “Saying this, he (one of negotiators in Turkey’s membership to EU) complained about the fate and injustice, implying the Swiss authorities ban on minarets constriction, failing however to mention a crucial fact: a believer in Turkey is limited in officiating in shrines that already exist. It is impossible to erect any temple in this country except for the mosque,” the source reads.

In 2003, when Turkey launched EU joining campaign, ruling Justice and Development party abolished governmental restrictions on religious freedoms imposed since Turkish Republic establishment; however, all this in theory. For instance, Protestant Salvation church asked permission for construction of several temples 7 years ago. However, no reply so far."

ABC also quotes Turkish lawyer Orhan Kemal Cengiz as saying, “till 2003 only mosques could be put up under the law. Since then, the law was patched up replacing the word &‘mosque’ with &‘place of worship’. However, it did not solve the problem, as the mayors and governors do not permit building.”

A.G.