From Europe News:
Athens mosque gets green light
ekathimerini.co 8 September 2011
Parliament’s approval on Wednesday of a law regulating illegal buildings paved the way for the construction of the Greek capital’s first modern mosque in the Athenian neighborhood of Votanikos.
The law on illegal constructions, which also includes a clause giving the go-ahead for a mosque, was voted through with 198 votes out of 300 in favor from the center, right and left, against 16 objections from MPs from the nationalist Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS). The prospect of a mosque in Athens is vehemently opposed by right-wing and nationalist parties and groups, the latter of which have launched numerous attacks against groups of Muslims in recent months, especially in central Athens, where the vast majority lives.
The passing of the law satisfies a longstanding demand for an official place of worship from the country’s growing Muslim population, whose needs to date have been accommodated by makeshift mosques in apartments or disused warehouses. It also puts Athens -- the only capital from among the original 15 member states of the European Union not to have a mosque -- in line with its European peers. (...)
Posted September 8th, 2011 by pk
Athens mosque gets green light
ekathimerini.co 8 September 2011
Parliament’s approval on Wednesday of a law regulating illegal buildings paved the way for the construction of the Greek capital’s first modern mosque in the Athenian neighborhood of Votanikos.
The law on illegal constructions, which also includes a clause giving the go-ahead for a mosque, was voted through with 198 votes out of 300 in favor from the center, right and left, against 16 objections from MPs from the nationalist Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS). The prospect of a mosque in Athens is vehemently opposed by right-wing and nationalist parties and groups, the latter of which have launched numerous attacks against groups of Muslims in recent months, especially in central Athens, where the vast majority lives.
The passing of the law satisfies a longstanding demand for an official place of worship from the country’s growing Muslim population, whose needs to date have been accommodated by makeshift mosques in apartments or disused warehouses. It also puts Athens -- the only capital from among the original 15 member states of the European Union not to have a mosque -- in line with its European peers. (...)
Posted September 8th, 2011 by pk
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