Athens today is the only European capital without an official mosque for its Muslim residents, and although there are plans to build one, the issue has attracted much controversy and is still yet to produce a solid project. According to Greece’s To Vima newspaper, so far only one consortium (Aktor, Terna, JP & Avaks) has made an offer but the contract is yet to be signed as the project is still waiting for permission from the authorities. Another issue that is delaying the project is the upcoming local elections in May. Aris Stiliotopulos, the Education and Religious Affairs Minister who is hoping to be elected as the mayor of Athens, has called for a referendum to decide whether or not the mosque should be built. However, before Stiliotopulos became a minister, he directly said that he approved of plans to build a mosque in the Votanikos district.
POLITICAL DEBATE SURROUNDS ATHENS MOSQUE PROJECT
Athens today is the only European capital without an official mosque for its Muslim residents, and although there are plans to build one, the issue has attracted much controversy and is still yet to produce a solid project.
