Mosques and Wakfs in Western Thrace-Greece

Inheritance of Forefathers

Mosques and

Lands of Wakfs in Greece

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• 1988 • ABTTF Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe

NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) GREECE | Western ThracE ...homeland of the Turkish Minority in Greece

Western Thrace is the name of the "yellow" region at the map. In Western Thrace, 150 000 Turks live today, who have settled in the region from the begining of the Ottoman times.

In 1923, with the Peace Treaty of Lausanne , the minority rights of these 150 000 Turks have been guaranteed and Western Thrace has been left to Greece.

A wakf (also waqf) is an inalienable religious endowment in Wakf Islam, typically devoting a building or plot of land for Muslim religious or charitable purposes as to support a mosque or ca- ravansary, or to benefit the poor, etc. It is conceptually similar to the common law trust.

2 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece INTRODUCTION Welcome

For centuries, cultures have been influenced by religion, be it Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or any other religion people believe in. Regarding history, folks without strong culture got forgot- ten and did not manage to survive – as soon as they began to lose their culture and traditions, they also began to lose them- selves. As a contrast to these, countries offering cultural variety are at the same time the ones most respected in today’s world.

In order to protect and conserve its historical and cultural heritage, our country Greece signed like many other countries international agreements. The minimal compliance with these agreements in reality shall be presented by this piece of work. The mosques and wakfs owned by the Muslim Turkish minority in Xanthi and Komotini in Western Thrace will be particularly focused on.

Primarily, the city plan created in 1933 will present you the systematic extermination of our culture by attacking nearby every Muslim Turkish historical and cultural heritage. The realization of this plan would mean demolition of some properties as a whole, and for some in a way that they would almost lose all of their significance. Historical properties and symbols pro- ving the presence of the Turkish minority of Western Thrace are about to get ruined and demolished in different ways.

Most of the mosques were named after the name of the street they are located on, and these street names are today still used by the Muslim Turkish minority although they are not official anymore.

Even though the obstacles with regard to the obtaining of licenses for restoration have decreased after the accession of our country Greece to the European Union (EU) in 1981, the Turkish minority still faces bureaucratic and financial challen- ges on national and local levels. While on the one hand, the properties of the Muslim Turkish minority are being expropriated by the realization of the city plan of 1933 more and more, on the other hand, the number of parks available for Christian temples is continuously increasing.

In modern times, we are supposed to learn from the past, and to appreciate the significance of cultural variety. for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 3 C on ventIon ConcernIng the ProtectIon of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE of the United Nations Educatio- nal, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) meeting in Paris from 17 October to 21 November 1972, at its seventeenth session,...

CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL conserve HERITAGE & UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC protect AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION

Article 5 To ensure that effective and active measures are taken for the protection, conservation andCONVENTION presentation CONCERNING of the THE cultu- PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL ral and natural heritage situated AND on NATURALits territory, HERITAGE each State Party to this Convention shall endeavor, in so far as possible, and as appropriate forAdopted each bycountry: the General Conference at its seventeenth session Paris, 16 november 1972 1. to adopt a general policy which aims to give the cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection of that heritage into comp- rehensive planning programmes; 2. to set up within its territories, where such services do not exist, one or more services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and Englishnatural Text heritage with an appropriate staff and possessing the means to discharge their functions; 3. to develop scientific and technical studies and research and to work out such operating methods as will make the State capable of counteracting the dangers that threaten its cultural or natural heritage; 4. to take the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, admi- nistrative and financial measures necessary for the identifica- tion, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitati- §5 on of this heritage; and 5. to foster the establishment or development of national or regional centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage and to encourage scientific research in this field. http://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext

4 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece DESTRUCTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE Inheritance of Forefathers

Historical places and objects of cultural and religious value are important for the preservation of cultural identity and continuity. Therefore promotion of awareness of conservation of historical and culturally significant buildings is adopted as one of the goals of all countries.

...it is the land and

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION history of our children...

CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL However, the traditional Turkish cultural heritage remaining AND NATURAL HERITAGE in Greece has been deliberately destroyed over time. Also, Adopted by the General Conference at its seventeenth session despite the unique workmanship, some of these monumental Paris, 16 november 1972 examples of Turkish architecture are in deplorable situation. The properties of the religious foundations or wakfs are systematically plundered and confiscated through administ- rative processes and falsification of official records and do- cuments. The ones which survive are refused permission for repairs and restoration. Some are even totally torn down by English Text the authorities for being “in a dangerous state” for public.

For many years, the Greek authorities have refused the Turkish community permission to repair their mosques or to build new ones. Moreover, they have not exempted the real estate of the wakfs from the general confiscation of Turkish land in Thrace. This has affected the financial basis of community life considerably and has caused serious problems for mosque personnel and for teachers in the minority schools, since the employees often receive part of their salary from revenues of these pious institutions. ...some examples ofsome cases...

for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 5 THE AŞAGI MAHALLE MOSQUE IN XANTHI The "Lower District" Mosque 1775 It is the oldest mosque after that the Xanthi Clock Towel Mosque demonstrated iduring the Bulgari- an invasion in 1941. The other name is the Çınar Mosque. It takes its name from the çınar tree located at the intersection point of the aforementioned streets below . The mosque was built by Çıplak (Naked) Hüseyin Ağa in 1775.

The mosque is located at the Stenima- hou Avenue (Οδος Στενημάχου) at the east and , Miaouli Avenue (Οδος Παλαιά Πόλη Μιαούλη) at the west and at the intersection of the Hr. Kopsida (Xr. Koψίδα) Avenue which is settled straight to Οδοςthese Στενημάχουtwo avenues. The Areas Expropriated:

App. 190 m2 (see dark yellow hachured parts) at the direction of Miaouli Ave. Is left to the aforementioned street.

App. 110 m2 at the direction of Stenima- hou Ave. Çınar Camii Is left to the aforementioned street.

The rest of the entire property is trans- ferred to the Public Space. See. Pafta No. KA 10.66// 1/19.01: «Κοινόχρηστος Χώρος -K.X.-»

Land area : app. 2000 m² Expropriated area : app.300 m² Remaining area : 1700 m² + Entire public space

6 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece THE AHREN MAHALLESI MOSQUE IN XANTHI in the "palio polis" of Xanthi

This mosque is located at the old town of the city of Xanthi. (Old Town | Παλαιά Πόλη).

The mosque is located at the Argyrokastrou (Aργυρόκαστρου) Street at the west, and it is located at the intersection point of Androu (Άνδρου) Street at the east-west direction in the north and the street s settled straight to the Hydragogeiou (Υδραγογείου) Street in the south-east. 2 Παλαιά Πόλη The Area of Property : app. 400 m The Building Base Space: The total space is 175 m2 with 60 m2 mosque main building and app. 5 ve 10 m2 two single floor service buldings. The Areas Expropriated: It is not expropriated as open space, but the mosque main building is designated as the building space border in the map. Accordingly, nothing is allowed to build in the mosque courtyard except the border of the mosque main building.

See. Pafta No. Π-1.6.3. –yellow hachured part m²

for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 7 THE MUHACIR MAHALLESI MOSQUE IN XANTHI The "Emigrant District" Mosque

It is located at the Dayranis Avenue Ξάνθη (Οδός Δα’ι’ράνης) in the west. The Area of Property: app.1000 m2

The Building Base Space: 115 m2 mosque main body + 80 m2 ve 90 m2 ve 100 m2 first-floor buildings: 3852 m in total.

The Areas Expropriated:

The map shows that a 120 m2 area inc- luding the minaret of the mosque is expropriated fort the Dayranis Ave. (ΔΑ’Ι’ΡΑΝΗΣ).

See. Pafta No. KA 10.66 1/19.00- the dark yellow hachured part

Land area : app.1000 m² Expropriated area : 120 m² Remaining area : 880 m²

8 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece THE SÜNNE MAHALLESI MOSQUE IN XANTHI İskeçe

This mosque which was built by the Go- vernor Hüseyin Bey; is located at the point of intersection of the IX. Merarhias Street (Οδός ΙΧ. Μεραρχίας) at the north east and Skiathou Pedestrian Lane ( Πεζόδρομος Σκιάθου)’ at the south east.

The Area of Property : app. 585 m2 The Building Base Space: The total space is 275 m2 with 225 m2 Mosque main body and 50 m2 mosque front entrance. The Areas Expropriated: The entire mosque couryard and the front entrance is designated as Preservable Open Area (Διατηρητέoς Ακάλυπτος Χώρος).

Accordingly, this is not expropriated but the property is not allowed to build in any circumstances. .

See. Pafta No. Π-1.6.10. Ξάνθη

for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 9 THE OLD MOSQUE IN KOMOTINI The Central Mosque 1608 The Old Mosque in Komotini, which is located directly in the city center, was constructed in 1608 according to the first architectural style of the Ottoman Empire and renovated in 1854. It has a tomb covered with red tiles, and a minaret with two balconies. The indoor decorations, which were destroyed during the Balkan War in 1912,

were re-constructed in 2002 with ceramic from 260,00 Kutahya, Turkey. B

250,00

Β 240,00 Ο .Τ . Α Α ' 16 .57

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1.8 7 Δ

Γ 230,00

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169 Λ

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210,00 Although the rest of the historical public 1/Κ Κ

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Ο ' 13 .06 Θ Ι fountain on the right side of the mosque is

Μ Μ ' Σ

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still existent, instead of preserving it in its Ν 1/Κ 6 Ε

1/Κ 5 Γ Ε = 8.38 τ μ 1 Κ ' 1/Κ 200,00

Τ original state by restoring, a complete new Ρ 4

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one was constructed. Today, the front side 1/Κ

Ι 1/Κ Λ Ι 2/Π Α Ρ stands completely hidden behind the new Σ

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Ι 181 Ο .Τ . 2/Π

public fountain. 170 Α 190,00

Merkez Σ 182,25 830,00 840,00 850,00 860,00 870,00 880,00 Land area : 954,16 m² Expropriated area : 38,31 m² Remaining Camii area : 915,85 m²

10 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece THE Tabakhane MOSQUE IN KOMOTINI 1530

Put up in 1530, the Tabakhane mosque is today a department of worship for many Muslims Tabakhane in Komotini.

The presence of a night club just 5 meters afar represents for local Muslims a religious oppression, just as the fact that 25,79m2 of an overall land area of 715,02m2 is exp- Camiiropriated.

Land area : 715,02 m²

B Expropriated area : 25,79 m² 230,00 5/RemainingΠ area : 689,23 m² 10.02 Β Α 2/Π

11.35 Π 7.10

Ρ 8.5 0 220,00 Γ Ι 3/Π 0.27 Γ 2.29 Τ Δ 6.45 4/Π Κ Σ 1/Κ 18 .09 Ε 3.55

Ι Π 1/Κ Ζ

Ε = 195,03 τμ 4.15 Ο ΤΕΜΕΝΟΣ 2.67 18.05 210,00 Σ Η 2.64

1.67 Ν Θ 5/Π 1.06 Ι Ι

6.34 10 .80 Κ Κ Λ

Ο 0.38 Ε μβ . ο ικ ο π . = 689,23 τ μ Μ Λ Π Ρ 1.4 2 2.8 1 200,00

1/Π Α 5.92 Ε = 4,00 τμ 2.5 7 6.1 0 2.11/ 7Κ 6.8 4 Ο Ε = 5.58 τμ 1/Κ Ν Υ 16.60 Ε = 41.31 τμ 3/Π 6.7 9 6.0 3 8.95 Ν '

190,00 Ξ 11.13 Σ Ω Ε Ο Φ Ρ Ο 182,25 820,00 810,00 820,00 830,00 840,00 850,00 860,00 870,00 880,00 for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 11 T H E Arifhane MOSQUE IN KOMOTINI

Gümülcine 16th Century Being inhabited by Turkish people for centuries, the urban area of Tabakhane presented a noble territory during this time period. As a result of World War II, increasing emigrations and the new infrastructural plans after the flood in the 1960´s, the amount of local Turks decreased to a minimal number. Κομοτηνή

Land area : 126,00 m² Expropriated area : 75,60 m² Remaining area : 51,24 m²

12 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece THE KIRMAHALLE MOSQUE IN KOMOTINI & Primary School next to it

Representing the early presence of Turkish people in the West Thracian area, a gravestone from 1185 can still be found inside the mosque of Komotini Kırmahalle. (also Kara Mehmet Mosque) Land area : 1572,72 m² Expropriated area : 746,38 m² Remaining area : 826,34 m² 1185

Kara Mehmet Camii 1406

The main entrance 2 of the mosque Owning a land area of 1572,72 m , 746,38m2 of these is expropriated and the school which just allows the mosque to oc- cupy a space of only 826,34m2. for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 13 THE KAYALI MOSQUE IN KOMOTINI & Madrasah 1730 Kayali Mosque and Madra- sah in Komotini were constructed in the 18th century by Haci Zekeriya Efendi, a madrasah teacher from Istanbul. 2008 Today, they are both quite decrepit, and needed to be restored.

m² m² 1141,35 62,75 Land area : m² 1078,60 Expropriated area : Remaining area :

Medrese

14 Mosques and Lands of Wakfs in Greece THERE ARE MANY OTHER EXAMPLES But still hopeful glimpse into the future...

KESIKBAS MOSQUE and YENICE MAHALLE MOSQUE YUKSEK MASJID WTMUGA Building AND PRIMARY SCHOOL 16th Century 16th Century Land area: 957,50 m2 Land area: 457,97 m2 Land area: 725,46 m2 Expropriated area: 153,00 m2 Expropriated area: 448,65 m2 Expropriated area: 247,23 m2 Remaining area: 804,50 m2 Remaining area : 9,32 m2 Remaining area: 478,23 m2 YUSUF EFENDI MASJID SELVILI MOSQUE and MASTANLI MOSQUE and 16th Century RUINED MINARET Primary School | 16th Century Land area: 196,32 m2 The mosque has been totally Land area: 819,30 m2 Expropriated area: 41,25 m2 destroyed. Just a grave and Expropriated area: 41,99 m2 Remaining area: 155,07 m2 a ruined minaret. Remaining area: 777,40 m2

OSMANIYE MOSQUE 16th Century Land area: 253,73 m2 Expropriated area: 215,29 m2 Remaining area: 38,44 m2 Published by SEHREKUSTU MOSQUE Construction Date: 1530 ABTTF Restoration:1906 and 2006 Avrupa Batı Trakya Türk Federasyonu Land area: 1094,79 m2 Federation of Western Thrace Turks in Europe Expropriated area: 303,02 m2 Föderation der West-Thrakien Türken in Europa Remaining area: 791,77 m2 Ευρωπαϊκή Ομοσπονδία Τούρκων Δυτικής Θράκης

SERDAR MAHALLE MOSQUE Wemerstr. 2 · 58454 Witten / Germany Sabuncu Ali Mosque Tel.: +49 2302 91 32 91 · Fax: +49 2302 91 32 93 Construction Date: 1530 E-Mail: [email protected] Restoration Date: 1829) www.abttf.org Land Area: 1009,13 m2

SUPUREN MASJID Construction Date: 1530 Land area: 128,30 m2 Expropriated area: 39,60 m2 Remaining area : 88,70 m2 Prepared by TEKKE MOSQUE | 16th Century Examples İlhan CAMBAZ, Civil Engineer (CE), Xanthi Land area: 1974,63 m2 of Xanthi Abdullah BANCA, Architect, Xanthi MOSQUE PLAN : 113,85 m2 Examples THE YENI (NEW) MOSQUE of Komotini Rıdvan MOLLAISA, Architect, Komotini Construction Date: 1585 Restoration: 1902 and 2006 Layout Land area: 2206,42 m2 & Concept M. Lokman AYDOGAN, Adviser, Xanthi Expropriated area: 126,75 m2 Remaining area: 2079,67 m2 Print LOKMANmedia, Germany for more visit: www.habitat.abttf.org 15