Polish mufti lauds Turkey for helping Poland's Muslims

By Mustafa Deveci

ANKARA

A Polish mufti on Wednesday praised Turkey for its efforts to help Poland's Muslim community.

In remarks made during a meeting in capital Ankara, Tomasz Miskiewicz said: "Turkey never left the Muslim community and Tatars of Poland alone."

Miskiewicz said Turkey had always been ready to help Polish Muslims and the Tatar community in his country.

"In particular, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency [TIKA] has contributed greatly to the renovations of our mosques and cemeteries.

"For this reason, I would like to thank Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish government, and Turkish people," he said.

He said TIKA had been operating in the country since 2004. "I believe this partnership will continue for many years," he said.

The history of Muslims in Poland dates back to the 14th century, which is mostly associated with the Tatars who found refuge in the country between the 16th and the 18th century.

Today, the percentage of Muslims in Poland is said to be around 0.1 percent of the whole population.