It is claimed that 98% of Greeks are Greek Orthodox. I am not entirely sure that this can be true anymore, given that there are many “foreigners” who have become citizens. A few years ago there was a heated debate over the issue of putting religious affinity on the ID cards here. The Church organized huge protests against the then socialist government who were seeking to remove religion from the cards. The government won. The discussion about separation of church and state is thorny one, fraught with difficulties because of the grip of the Orthodox Church here.
Before I go any further with this I just want to say that I have no problem with people practicing whatever religion they like. I am a totally non-religious person but I respect the main real teachings of most of the mainstream religions and some of the “minority” ones (like the Bahai’s or the Quakers) Because, let’s face it, the main points of most faiths are pretty much the same.
Be good to each other
Respect each other
Don’t kill each other
Don’t steal from each other
Treat others as you would like to be treated
And so on…
There are hundreds of churches here in Athens. There are many other places of worship for non-Orthodox people but there is no official mosque. It is the only European capital that does not have one. There has been a fairly rabid reaction to the idea of building one, with the Greek Orthodox Church being the main opponent. Recently, its approach has softened and now there are only the squabbles over where it will be built remain. Ironically, the most likely place for building is Votanikos, where the Roma community I have written so much about where evicted. The mosque is, of course, not the reason for the evictions. The land is to be developed for a new football stadium (Remember, this is just after the Athens Olympics and there are several abandoned and rotting stadiums already) and a shopping mall and perhaps, if we are lucky, a large green space). The argument has already been leveled at those of us who advocated the mosque that we wanted it so we can’t complain about the illegal evictions of the Roma. Great argument right?
The main objections to a mosque seems to be born out of fear. Greece has a long and bitter history with its Muslim neighbour Turkey and it seems some people are not willing to look at it, let alone get over it. The fear of Muslims here in Greece is much older than 9/11. Children learn in school about the “bad Muslim Turks” It’s ingrained from and early age. The history books here are being revised for the year my kid will be entering next week. The arguments are still flying. The reformers wanted to tone down some of the “sub-conscious” demonizing of “others’. Attempting to record history is a less hysterical way, reflecting the good and bad of both “sides”. Of course, the Church and the nationalists are not very happy with that and the reforms are still under revision, re-revision and will not be ready for the beginning of term. (I am sure the kid couldn’t care less either way).
What I am trying to say is that I believe Greece needs to examine itself very closely. It is no longer an homogeneous country. It cannot afford to remain insular or ignorant of other influences. Other races. Other religions. It can no longer afford to play by its own rules and disregard international or European laws.
Immigrants are here to stay. (unless the extreme right party LAOS jumps from its current 3.5% of the vote to win the upcoming election!) Their children have and will become citizens. Church and State are separating and will part ways completely in the near future.
Change happens. It cannot be stopped. Isn’t it better to educate (or re-educate) citizens instead of confronting each small progress with hysterical opposition. Build a mosque. Let the Muslim citizens of Athens worship in their own place with the best wishes of all everyone instead of creating this atmosphere of fear and threat.
Just my opinion.
I don’t think I will be able to post anything further for my stint here. I apologise for not writing something everyday (as I intended) but I hope you understand how difficult it has been even to do this. I will try and forgive myself later!
Thank you to everyone who commented.
And thank you again to all at Feministe for inviting me to guest blog here.