The Position of the Mufti in Greece. New and Old Ambiguities

The Muftis in Greece, religious leaders of the Muslim communities and judges applying parts of Sharia law, acquired a key importance throughout time. The implementation of the Treaty of Lausanne since 1923 and the fluctuating Greek-Turkish relations framed the legal and political position of the Muftis. Two major issues became field of tensions: First, the mode of selection, namely election by the community or appointment by the government; second, the extent, content and procedures in relation to Sharia law (regarding family and inheritance law) and the respect of the principle of non-discrimination on the grounds of religion and sex. The legal arrangements dealing with the position of the Mufti in Greece seem more to serve political concerns than to apply effectively fundamental human and minority rights.