Turkish protesters demonstrate against landmark Papal visit

CHANTING Islamist slogans and brandishing banners against Western intervention in the Middle East, thousands of people have rallied in Turkey to denounce the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

The demonstration, organised by the Islamist Felicity Party (SP) and entitled “The Pope is not welcome“, attracted about 15,000 people.

Hundreds of security forces, including riot police, were on watch at the Caglayan square in Istanbul.

The mix of religious and political slogans the protestors shouted reflected widespread suspicions among nationalists and Islamists here that the landmark four-day visit is part of Western designs to subdue the Muslim world, rather than an effort to reconcile religions.

The Pope triggered uproar across Muslim countries in September when he linked Islam and violence in quoting a Byzantine emperor who said that Mohammed brought “things only evil and inhuman.”

“Show respect to the prophet, Pope!” one placard at the rally said. Others read: “Ignorant Pope, read your own history!” and “Papa, go home!”

“Allahu Akbar,” the protestors chanted, followed by others who shouted “Down with Israel” and “Down with America.”

Many brandished banners that read: “No to the crusaders’ alliance”.

Opponents of the visit say the pontiff’s scheduled talks with Patriarch Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based spiritual head of the world’s Orthodox Christians, is aimed not only at healing the centuries-old schism between the two churches, but at sealing a Christian alliance against Islam.

The rally highlighted another sensitivity the Pope’s program has touched here — his planned visit to Hagia Sophia, a sixth century Byzantine church which was converted to a mosque in 1453 when the Ottomans conquered Istanbul, then called Constantinople. It was transformed into a museum in 1935.

“Break the chains, open Hagia Sophia,” the protestors chanted, echoing Islamist desire for the edifice to be re-opened as a mosque.

Opponents believe the pope’s planned visit to the building, one of Istanbul’s architectural landmarks and a major tourist attraction, is an indication of Christian ambitions to reclaim it.

Speaking in the Vatican on Sunday, Benedict said he wanted the visit to show his friendship for Turkey.

“I want to send a cordial greeting to the dear Turkish people, rich in history and culture. To these people and their representatives I express feelings of esteem and sincere friendship,” he said.