E/CN.4/1998/6 page 32 135. “The above-mentioned provisions will enter into force according to article 32 of Law 2510/97 on 1 January 1998. The full text of the Law is published in the Official Gazette, issue No. 136, dated 27 June 1997. 136. “With regard to places of worship of non-orthodox known Christian religions, we would like to underline the following: (a) The law does not give discretionary power to the administration to decide, according to its judgement, whether or not it will issue the permit, but only the authority to examine if all the legally indispensable requirements had been fulfilled for the permit to be issued. (b) The opinion expressed by the Orthodox Church lacks the character of an administrative act to be implemented but is of an advisory nature. Further comments on this are mere conjectures. (c) One isolated act of vandalism that took place long ago does not establish grounds for a comment, generalizing the issue. 137. “The Greek State strongly disapproves of acts of vandalism against any religion and always takes steps, not only for the immediate repair of damage and the investigation and eventual prosecution of its case, but also for the continuous safeguarding of religious monuments and the facilities granted to them. 138. “Administrative arrangements requested by various denominations carry only an administrative character and do not affect the freedom of worship or any other religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. However, the Greek Government thoroughly examines all cases with a positive and constructive attitude. 139. “Christian denominations, including Lutherans, Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Armenian Gregorians, have places of worship in Greece, where they freely exercise the religion. The Greek Government does not represent the Orthodox Church. 140. “Concerning Muslims, and particularly muftis and waqfs, we would like to inform you of the following. 141. “Greece is taking care of the religious training of Muslims. At the secondary educational level, two Koranic schools operate (in Echinos and Komotini) and are financed by State funds. Furthermore, scholarships are offered for studies in Islamic universities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. According to the existing law, duly appointed Muftis, who are the Muslim minority's top religious leaders, also have administrative jurisdiction over lower Islamic religious officials. Furthermore, they exercise judicial powers in matters of civil law. According to Islamic tradition, the Mufti of each prefecture is appointed following his selection by a body of prominent members of the minority from a list of candidates who must be graduates of an Islamic Theological University. With regard to the committees that manage waqfs, adequate care is taken. The chairman of the most important of these committees, based in Komotini, is also a graduate of an Islamic university.