Parliament approves building mosque in Athens

Greece’s parliament gave the green light on Thursday for the first official mosque to be built in Athens since the 19th century, a move long sought by the country’s thousands of Muslims.

Greece’s parliament gave the green light on Thursday for the first official mosque to be built in Athens since the 19th century, a move long sought by the country’s thousands of Muslims.

The bill split the coalition government, with SYRIZA voting in favor and Independent Greeks (ANEL) voting against it. But in the end, the bill passed with more than 200 votes in favor out of 230 MPs who voted.

The mosque is set to be built in Athens’ Elaionas area, and according to the General Accounting Office, it is estimated to cost almost a million euros ($1.11 million). The expenses will be covered entirely by the Greek state.

Education Minister Nikos Filis supported the construction of a mosque in the capital, saying that the existence of makeshift mosques is “a disgrace to the country and a risk to Greece’s security,” citing how four mosques elsewhere already operating have received legal permits, though none are in Athens.