October 24, 2024
The decision brings the number of churches granted licenses to 3,453 out of the 3,730 that applied for registration after a Law for Building and Restoring Churches abolished Ottoman-era restrictions on church buildings in 2016.
To secure their licenses, churches must prove ownership of land and fulfil structural and safety obligations, including the availability of fire extinguishers.
Before the committee addressed the task of processing licenses it was extremely difficult for churches to obtain a license, and many congregations had no option but to worship illegally in unregistered buildings.
In 2018, the government allowed Christians to worship in unlicensed buildings pending the completion of the registration process.
