Mosque in Central Greece pelted with stones

A mosque in Central Greece was allegedly attacked by unknown people in the early hours of Monday morning.

The attack against the Koursoum Mosque, also known as the Osman Shag Mosque, in Trikala is being investigated by the police.

Specifically, the perpetrators threw stones at the entrance of the only mosque that survives in the city and is located next to the Tsitsani museum and the church of Agios Konstantinos.

The octagonal Kursum Mosque, named after the Turkish word "kursum" meaning "lead", as its dome is lead-covered, is the mausoleum of the ruler and grandson of Sultan Selim I, Osman Shah. He built the mosque in Trikala because it was there he was cured of a serious illness.

The mosque was designated by UNESCO as a protected monument and today is used as a place to host events.

Osman Shah was the governor of the Sanjak of Trikala and resided in the city for a long period of his life.

The mosque, the only surviving one of the city that had at least eight, was designed by the Ottoman imperial architect Mimar Sinan and is the only one that he designed in modern Greece.

Although the motive is unknown, it is undoubtedly related to the Turkish government's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque that has seen a flurry of protest in Greece and across Europe.

Muslims themselves have been divided over the conversion, with Iran and Pakistan praising the move, along with terrorist organizations like Hamas, while other associations have condemned the move, as reported by Greek City Times.

“Opening of Hagia Sophia to prayer is a proud moment for all Muslims,” said Rafat Murra, head of international press office of Hamas, in a written statement, while Abbas Mousavi, a spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said “For the opening of Hagia Sophia for worship, which was accepted with satisfaction by the people of Turkey and Muslims, we also felt joy.”