Greece Launches Major Crackdown on Illegal Mosques in Athens

PHOTO: A historic former mosque in central Athens—such as the Tzistarakis Mosque in Monastiraki Square, representative of Islamic architectural heritage in the city (now a museum).

ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ

Athens authorities move to close around 60 unauthorized places of worship and enforce legal compliance amid broader migration-law changes

By Helleniscope’s Editorial Team

Greece has announced a large-scale enforcement operation in Athens targeting illegal places of worship, with authorities confirming that approximately sixty unauthorized mosques are slated for closure across the capital.

The operation follows the adoption of a new legal framework governing the licensing and operation of religious sites. Under the law, all places of worship must meet specific requirements related to permits, building safety, urban planning compliance, and the legal status of those administering them. Sites operating outside this framework are deemed illegal and subject to immediate closure.

According to Greek officials, many of the identified mosques were operating in basements, apartments, warehouses, and other non-designated spaces, without safety inspections or official authorization. Authorities have stated that these conditions pose risks to public safety and place the sites outside any form of institutional oversight.

Enforcement measures include sealing the premises and initiating administrative and criminal procedures against operators. In cases involving foreign nationals, residence permits may be revoked and deportation procedures activated. One such case already reported involved a Bangladeshi national arrested for operating an illegal mosque in central Athens, with authorities moving swiftly to cancel his legal status in the country.

PHOTO: Fethiye Mosque in Athens, another Ottoman-era mosque now repurposed, illustrating the long presence of Islamic sacred spaces in the capital’s urban landscape

While some media reports and social media posts claim that many of the illegal mosques were operated by members of Bangladeshi and Pakistani migrant communities, Greek officials have not released an official breakdown by nationality. Mainstream reporting emphasizes the legal status of the premises rather than the ethnic or national background of those involved.

The government maintains that the operation is not aimed at any particular religion, stressing that the law applies equally to all unauthorized places of worship, regardless of faith. Officials argue the measures are part of a broader effort to reinforce the rule of law, ensure public safety, and combat irregular activity linked to illegal immigration.

The closures have sparked debate both domestically and internationally, touching on sensitive issues of religious freedom, migration policy, and integration. Authorities insist, however, that licensed and legally operating places of worship—including the officially recognized mosque in Athens—remain unaffected.

The operation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as inspections and enforcement actions continue throughout the city.

February 6, 2026, n.stamatakis@aol.com   www.helleniscope.com

DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.

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