Head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Office Says He Supports Reopening Halki Seminary

The head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate, Ali Bardakoglu, has said -- regarding a Greek Orthodox seminary closed in 1971 -- that he believes the issue will be resolved within the framework of religious freedom, the Turkish website Today's Zaman reports today (January 18, 2010).

Bardakoglu said in an interview with the NTV news channel that as a Muslim and the head of Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate, he supports everyone's religious freedom.

"We should act ethically and be principled on this issue. Our ancestors opened the Halki Seminary in Istanbul. I have always been in support of the religious freedom of all religious groups in our country," he said.

Established on October 1, 1844 on Halki Island, in the Sea of Marmara, the Halki Seminary was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church's patriarchate in Istanbul until its closure by Turkish authorities in 1971. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew -- head of the Eastern Orthodox Church -- has often complained about the status of this seminary, and has said that its reopening is of vital importance for the survival of Greek Orthodox clergy in Turkey.