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Turkey: Religious Freedom

Question for Foreign and Commonwealth Office

UIN HL9039, tabled on 27 June 2018

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (HL8304), whether British Christians and Jews may set up new public buildings for their worship in Turkey.

Answered on

10 July 2018

In order for religious groups to establish new places of worship in Turkey they must apply to the Turkish government for them to be legally recognised as places of worship. If constructing a new building as a place of worship, religious groups must first apply for permission from the municipality to do so. It is against the law to hold religious services at a location not recognized by the government as a place of worship; the government may fine or close the venues of those violating the law.

Answered by

Foreign and Commonwealth Office