Patriarch Bartholomew dines with Erdogan at Muslim iftar

Participants of the iftar in Ankara. Photo: Instagram account nouvelleaubefr

On March 10, 2026, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople arrived in Ankara at the personal invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The occasion for the visit was a ceremonial iftar dinner at the presidential palace, organized in honor of the month of Ramadan after the end of the daily fast. This was reported by nouvelleaubefr in an Instagram post. Representatives of 21 religious communities of the country were invited to the event.

During the visit, the Patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon. It is reported that the head of the Phanar conveyed good wishes to the Turkish president and all Muslims of the country on the occasion of Ramadan. The day before, the foreign affairs committee of the ruling AKP party held a similar official dinner, at which Patriarch Bartholomew was represented by Metropolitan Joachim of Prousa.

During his speech, Erdogan declared that Turkey is an "exemplary country" where everyone enjoys freedom of religion and conscience. He highlighted the merits of his government, including the restoration of religious sites and the return of property to community foundations. The Turkish president also condemned Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, calling them "crimes against humanity."

It should be recalled that in 2025, Patriarch Bartholomew also attended a Muslim dinner at the Beştepe presidential palace, which was given in honor of the visit of the President of Somalia. Last time, during a private conversation with Erdogan, the head of the Phanar raised issues concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox community in Turkey.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a lawsuit was filed against the Ecumenical Patriarch.

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