"Turkey's imams predict more freedom of worship � thanks to the EU
By Damien McElroy in Konya
(Filed: 19/12/2004)
After wrapping up evening prayers, the head imam of the Alaaddin mosque turns from Mecca, tucked his feet under his overcoat and thought of Europe.
In his heated glass and stained-wood booth, Imam Muzzaffer Gecgel looked out over the arches of a mosque built in the 12th century, when Konya emerged as the capital of the Seljuc empire.
Turkish muslims hope EU membership will bring more religious freedom
On Friday, as Imam Gecgel digested the news that Turkey was finally on track to join the European Union, he was too excited by his vision of the future to dwell on the past. Paradoxically, like most Turkish religious leaders he is robustly pro-European � not because he approves of Western mores, but because he believes that accession will extend his powers."
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