The Turkish Foreign Ministry described as “unacceptable” the announcement issued by Greece’s Foreign Ministry regarding the Koran readings in Hagia Sophia during a live show broadcast by the Turkish public TV on the first day of Ramadan.

In a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turkey continues the provocations against Greece.

“We call on Greece to show prudence in its statements as it has not allowed the construction of a mosque in Athens and constantly interferes in the religious freedoms of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace and confuses the opposition to Islam with modernization,” says the Turkish statement adding:

“Among the values of modern, democratic and secular societies, there is also respect towards other religions and cults.”

The Greek Foreign ministry had condemned as regressive the Turkish authorities’ decision to allow Koran readings in Hagia Sophia following political turmoil and social outrage.

“We condemn as regressive the Turkish authorities’ announcement of the scheduling of a Koran reading in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, on the occasion of Ramadan” says the statement.

“Obsessions, verging on bigotry, with Muslim rituals in a monument of world cultural heritage are incomprehensible and reveal a lack of respect for and connection with reality. Moreover, such actions are not compatible with modern, democratic and secular societies.”