AKP and Turkish Media Reactions to the Pope’s Statements on Islam
Middle East Media Research Institute, DC
Special Dispatch Series – No. 1297
Sept 22 2006
Pope Benedict XVI has come under fire in Turkey following his remarks
in a lecture at Germany’s Regensburg University, in which he quoted a
14th-century text by the Byzantine emperor Constantine XI Manuel
Palaiologos critical of the Prophet Muhammad and of the concept of
jihad in Islam. Among those who criticized the Pope were Turkish
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, government ministers, and other
MPs from the ruling AKP party, as well as opposition leaders and much
of the Turkish media. AKP Deputy Chairman Salih Kapusuz said that
Pope Benedict XVI would go down in history like Hitler and Mussolini.
Many voices also demanded the cancellation of the Pope’s upcoming
visit to Turkey, which is scheduled for late November 2006.
The following are reactions from the Turkish media to the Pope’s
statements:
Official Reactions to the Pope’s Statements
*PM Erdogan: The Pope "Must Retract These Wrong, Ugly, and
Unfortunate Statements"
The daily Yeni Safak reported that Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan said: "'[The Pope’s] assessment of and attitude
towards Islam – a religion whose meaning is peace – and of its
beloved Prophet is unfortunate in [a number of] very serious
respects. It can never be acceptable to us. […] The Pope has spoken
not like a religious leader, but like an ordinary politician […]
"’It is our wish that he will rapidly correct his mistake and prevent
the casting of a pall on the dialogue between civilizations and
religions. […] I believe that he must retract these wrong, ugly, and
unfortunate statements, and that he must apologize to the Islamic
world and to the Muslims.’
"When asked about whether the Pope’s visit would take place, Erdogan
said, ‘I don’t know about that.’" [1]
*Ali Bardakoglu: The Pope’s Words Reflect a Crusader Mentality
Most Turkish dailies reported on the official statement of Ali
Bardakoglu, who heads the state-run Religious Affairs Directorate and
is Turkey’s highest-ranking cleric: [2]
"’These were unfortunate, saddening and extremely worrisome remarks,
in the name of the Christian world and for the common [values of]
peace of all humanity. […] If the Pope’s comments are a reflection
of the anger, hostility, and hatred in his inner world, we are faced
with a very grave situation.’
"Bardakoglu called on Pope Benedict to immediately retract his words
and apologize [to the Muslims]. He noted that the Western approach to
Islam and its Prophet was always filled with prejudice, ignorance and
hostility. [He said:] ‘The Church organized the Crusades because they
pictured Islam as the enemy. […] They killed thousands of people
[…] Since the fourth century, Christian theologians have divided
the world into the Christian world versus the satanic world. This was
their mentality. They considered it a holy mission to fight the
non-Christian world. This is why the Crusader and holy-war mentality
is fundamental to the mindset of the Western clergy. I believe that
the Pope’s statement is a reflection of this mentality of Crusades
and holy wars […]’
"Referring to the Pope’s statement that in Islam there is no bond
between God and reason, Bardakoglu said: ‘On this issue, it is the
deeds of the Church that must be questioned. The Church mistook its
distortion of religion for reason. The Christian Church has left out
reason in order to serve its own interests, by dominating people’s
faith, by inserting itself between God and the individual, and by
exploiting sanctity. If today there is anti-religious [sentiment] in
the West, it is because the Christian Church has left reason out [of
the equation].’
"[…] Insulting a religion, its prophet, and its scripture is
outrageously arrogant. It is hostile, and it is an unfortunate
incitement to clash between religions […]"
*AKP MP Salih Kapusuz: The Pope Will Go Down in History Like Hitler
According to the secular, centrist, wide-circulation Hurriyet, deputy
chairman of the AKP parliamentary group MP Salih Kapusuz said:
"’Clearly he [i.e. the Pope] has the dark mentality of the Middle
Ages. He is a pitiful being who has not benefited from the spirit of
the Reformation in the Christian world. […] This appears to be the
result of an effort to revive the Crusader mentality. Benedictus XVI,
who made these unfortunate and audacious remarks, will go down in
history in the same category as Hitler and Mussolini[…] What saddens
us is that in such critical times, the papal seat is occupied by such
a hypocritical and pitiful person. On behalf of humanity and world
peace, I strongly and hatefully condemn this person […]’" [3]
*Education Minister on the Pope: "A [Truly] Sincere Person… Would
Know How to Apologize"
Hurriyet reported that Turkish Minister of Education Huseyin Celik
said that a spiritual leader of a religion must think not once but 10
times when speaking about another religion, and added: "’The Pope’s
words have wounded and hurt the Islamic world. It would behoove him
to apologize.’" As for the Pope’s having expressed sorrow that
Muslims had taken offense at his statement, Celik said: "’Sorrow and
apology are very different things. A [truly] sincere person, a truly
saddened person, would also know how to apologize.’" [4]
*"The Pope has Dirtied Himself With His Remarks, and Must Be Cleansed
[By Baptism] Before Setting Foot in Our Country"
The chairman of the Union of the Religious Affairs Directorate (i.e.
the union of the imams), Huseyin Demirci, said in reaction to the
Pope’s remarks: "’The Pope, who spoke ignorantly, is a menace to the
Christian world and to world peace. Before his insolent remarks turn
into a Muslim-Christian clash, he must come out and apologize.
Otherwise, his visit to our country will have no meaning and might
provoke undesirable events. This is why we are asking [Turkish]
President [Ahmet Necdet Sezer] to cancel his invitation [to the Pope
for late November]. If the Pope wants to come to Turkey, he must
first have his priests baptize him. The Pope has dirtied himself with
his remarks, and must be cleansed before setting foot in our
country.’" [5]
Spokesman for the secularist opposition Republican People’s Party
[CHP] Halik Koc also lashed out at the Pope for his remarks: "’The
Pope is pouring fuel on the fire, in a world where the risk of a
clash between religions is increasing.’ Koc also urged the Pope to
issue an apology for his remarks before visiting Turkey." [6]
Chairman of the center-right Homeland Party [ANAP] Erkan Mumcu said:
"’I do not want to see, in my country, this man who has insulted me,
my people, my faith, and my Prophet. This is a very sincere reaction.
Only if he truly apologizes might I find it in myself to agree [to
such a visit].’" [7]
Turkish Columnists’ Reactions to the Pope’s Statements
*The Christians and Jews are "Blood-Sucking Vampires"
Columnist Hakan Albayrak of the Islamist daily Milli Gazete wrote:
"[…] I spit on the reasoning of Pope Benedict XVI, who calls Islamic
jihad against those who make war on us and on oppressors who exile us
from our lands ‘against reason and God,’ yet fails to condemn the
Crusader hordes, their cruelty, and their tortures in the name of
‘God’s will […].’
"By giving ‘spiritual support’ to the Crusades declared by George
Bush, who admires the perverted U.S. TV sermons (of fundamentalists
Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, Benny Hinn, etc.),
Benedict has acted like the true Vatican. Let us not forget that the
Vatican has apologized to the Jews and the Eastern [Orthodox]
Christians for the sufferings caused by the Crusaders, but has never
apologized to the Muslims. This means that the papacy still believes
that it is ‘God’s will’ to boil the Muslims, roast and eat their
children, burn the Muslims in their mosques, and tell the Muslims ‘to
convert to Christianity or die.’. […] I do not expect Benedict to
apologize for his disgusting words. What would change if you
apologized for the Crusades? […] I hope you drown in your hatred."
[8]
Columnist Burhan Bozgeyik wrote in Milli Gazete: "[…] As we have said
many times, the Vatican is behind the occupation of the Muslim world.
They started a ‘mental invasion’ before the armed invasion. […]
They’re all the same: Their rabbis, priests, cardinals, and popes are
the same as those criminals who are murdering and plundering in Iraq
and Palestine. […]" [9]
Columnist Aziz Karaca of the nationalist-Islamic Turkish daily Yeni
Mesaj wrote: "[…] The Muslim world has never had time to rest and
live in peace because of the aggressions of the Christians, headed by
the arrogant Pope, and of their allies the Jews. […]
"There is no doubt that [the Pope’s] crude, rude, and insolent words
are the reflection of centuries-old Crusader hatred, through the
mouth of an authority. These lowly and despicable expressions are
very fitting for the Pope and the world he represents. […] They can
no longer hide their cruelty, theft, perversion, and the [fact that]
they are blood-sucking vampires. They become visible as the light of
Islam shines on them.
"Now, joining all their forces, the Jews and Christians are trying to
put out this light. They are becoming ridiculous in assuming that
they can extinguish the light by collectively blowing on it. Their
voice is familiar [to us], and their aggressive style is also
familiar. Look at the expressions of all the past popes and church
clergy; examine their statements, and you will find hundreds and
thousands of the same. There is no change on that front. They are
continuing to harbor their ever-increasing hatred and vengeance
against the Muslims. […]
"Re-read the words of this arrogant man [the Pope] and think to
yourself: Should this
man [be allowed to] set foot in our heavenly homeland?" [10]
*"The First Place Where This Infidel [the Pope] Who Insults My
Prophet Should Go is Hell, Not Turkey"
Columnist Hasan Demir of the ultranationalist-Islamic Turkish daily
Yenicag wrote, in an article titled ‘With What Face Will He Come to
Turkey?: "[…]Benedictus, before being seated as the 265th pope – that
is, when his name was Ratzinger – said: ‘What are the Turks doing in
the E.U.? Let them go and build a union with the Arabs.’ […] Didn’t
Pope John Paul II promote this man to preside over the Vatican’s most
important institute of ‘theological teachings?’
"Neither of these [popes] used the word ‘terrorist’ for the PKK. Both
these popes readily accepted the allegations of genocide against the
Armenians. Both of them gave unlimited support to U.S. President
Bush, who declared a Crusade, and never opposed the killing in Iraq
of nearly 300,000 civilians [and] the tortures and rapes in Abu
Ghuraib […] Did they ever say anything when Muslims were killed [by
Serbs]? They secretly rejoiced, because those dying were Muslims, in
a different kind of Crusade. Was there any sound from the Vatican
when Israel drowned the Lebanese people in a bloodbath? […] Didn’t
the Crusaders kill two million civilians in Vietnam? Didn’t they also
kill one million in Cambodia? Didn’t they wipe out the Red Indians in
America, on instructions from the Vatican? […] Wasn’t the Inquisition
a papal institution? […] [President] Bush, who turned Iraq into a sea
of blood and took the PKK under his wing, sees himself as the
commander of the Crusader armies. Does the Pope say anything about
this? The first place where this infidel who insults my Prophet
should go is Hell, not Turkey." [11]
*"If the [Vatican’s] Intrigue is Not Recognized… It May Become an
Atomic Bomb That Will Bring Graver Consequences Than 9/11"
Columnist Taha Kivanc of the Islamist daily Yeni Safak, which is
considered to be the unofficial mouthpiece of the AKP government,
wrote: "[…] When I hear the word Vatican, what first comes to my mind
is ‘intrigue.’ Did the Pope quote this historical-theological
dialogue, which outraged the Islamic world, […] with innocent
intentions? Was the Pope really surprised or saddened by the
reactions of the offended Muslims, as was later claimed by the
Church?
"This is what the Vatican wants us to believe; and some think that we
should already leave the Pope alone. I do not believe that the Pope
was acting innocently when he put the subject on the agenda, but I
also think we should not pursue this any further. The reason is
simple: I am aware of how capable the Vatican is in scheming, and I
believe that the Pope’s intention in delivering his not-innocent
speech was to start a big storm – of the kind that is now blowing
through the Islamic world. […]
"We have been witnessing how peace and harmony has gone from the
world after 9/11. What do [1] think about the Pope’s speech regarding
Islam? My view is that if the [Vatican’s] intrigue is not recognized
and measures are not taken, it may become an atomic bomb that will
bring graver consequences than 9/11. Attention… Beware…" [12]
This Latest ‘Operation’ by the Pope… is Highly Compatible with
Bush’s Policies"; "For Them [i.e. Christians], Massacre is a Genetic
Trait"
Columnist Tamer Korkmaz of the Islamist, wide-circulation daily Zaman
wrote: "[…] The Pope clearly insulted Islam and our Prophet, with
that ‘quote’…
"[…] Pope Benedict XVI has opposed Turkey’s membership in the E.U.,
basing his rejection on ‘religious differences!’ This latest
‘operation’ by the Pope, which incited to a ‘clash of religions’ and
increased world tensions, is highly compatible with Bush’s policies…
Let’s remember that in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the U.S.
president mentioned the ‘Crusades.’ It was obvious then that this was
not a slip of tongue, and since then we have witnessed the proof of
this… Although it appears as if the target is ‘radical Islam,’ this
is deceptive. The reality is that a front targeting the religion of
Islam and the Muslims exists… The papacy is a political institution,
as much as it is a religious one. The recent offensive is about
assuming a political position…
"Ankara has declared that this crisis will not affect the Pope’s
visit to Turkey. The Pope will visit Turkey [between] November
28-December 1 as an official guest of President Sezer… We will see
then the face with which he comes.
"Sezer kept his silence in the face of the Pope’s insults to Islam
and to our Prophet… A diplomatic source told [the mainstream Turkish
daily] Hurriyet that the reason [for Sezer’s silence] was that Turkey
is not a religious state but a secular one… Sezer most certainly must
be thinking that way. […]" [13]
Husnu Mahalli, formerly a columnist for Yeni Safak and currently a
columnist for the secular, centrist daily Aksam wrote: [14] "[…]
Contrary to the some people’s interpretations, the Pope has spoken
knowingly, consciously, and deliberately, having calculated all the
consequences. This is the same Pope who targeted Turkey and Islam
before his selection, and dissolved the Interfaith Dialogue Committee
after being selected. On his first visit to his homeland Germany [as
Pope], ‘His Majesty’ visited a Jewish synagogue, and there, in a
secret meeting with 60 rabbis, discussed how they should act together
against Islam.
"Don’t waste your breath; the Pope will never apologize to the
Muslims. Moreover, this Pope and all the Crusaders – his allies –
will do much more. Those who want dialogue between religions,
cultures, and civilizations will soon find themselves in a monologue.
[…]
"For them [i.e. Christians], massacre is a genetic trait. […] We are
again face to face with Crusader countries and forces. […] It is our
obligation to be aware of all the dirty plots of the other side, and
to take all the necessary short-, mid-, and long-term precautions.
The most important thing is never to trust the other side, at any
time. The day will come when those who trust the U.S., Israel, and
their co-conspirator Westerners will be left naked. Because the U.S.,
Israel, and Europeans with the Crusader mentality never think about
their Muslim allies, and they easily discard them. Those who do not
want to find themselves in that situation should turn back before
they become miserable. Otherwise neither the power and the money of
Bush, Blair, Chirac, Sharon and their ilk, nor the Pope’s blessings,
will protect them from Hell, in this world and the next!"
*"No Matter How Strongly We Say That We are ‘A Muslim, But a Modern
and Democratic Country,’ Our Words are Unconvincing if We Become
Islam’s Advocate"
Columnist Fatih Altayli of the secular, centrist Sabah wrote: [15]
"[…] According to our [i.e. Sabah ‘s] report [on the Pope’s
statements on Islam], Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali
Bardakoglu issued a tough response. Bardakoglu’s statement appeared
in the European press – especially in the Italian press. A strange
picture appeared.
"This is what was strange about this picture: speaking on behalf of
the Muslim world appeared to be Turkey’s job, when it [Turkey] is in
no way tied to the kind of Islam that had been criticized. Turkey
[appeared to be] acting as the spokesman in Europe for Islam and the
Muslims. This representation of Islam naturally emphasizes Turkey’s
image as a Muslim country, in a Europe struggling with grave
Islamophobia.
"As this image grows stronger, the phobia related to radical Islam
begins to include Turkey too, and this is damaging the process of
Turkey’s E.U. membership. No matter how strongly we say that we are a
‘Muslim, but a modern and democratic country,’ our words are
unconvincing if we become Islam’s advocate.
"If you add to this the [attempted] assassination of the Pope [16]
and the killing of a priest in Trabzon, [17] everything [i.e.
Turkey’s chances of E.U. membership] is in jeopardy."
——————————- ————————————————-
[1] Yeni Safak (Turkey), September 17, 2006.
[2] Hurriyet, (Turkey), September 14, 2006. A similar report appeared
in Sabah, Yeni Safak, and Yenicag, on the same date.
[3] Hurriyet, (Turkey), September 16, 2006.
[4] Hurriyet (Turkey), September 17, 2006.
[5] Hurriyet (Turkey), September 19, 2006.
[6] Turkish Daily News (Turkey), September 16, 2006.
[7] Hurriyet (Turkey), September 17, 2006.
[8] Milli Gazete (Turkey), September 17, 2006.
[9] Milli Gazete (Turkey), September 20, 2006.
[10] Yeni Mesaj (Turkey), September 18, 2006.
[11] Yenicag (Turkey), September 18, 2006.
[12] Yeni Safak (Turkey), September 18, 2006.
[13] Zaman (Turkey), September 19, 2006.
[14] Aksam (Turkey), September 19, 2006. For more on Husnu Mahalli,
see MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 857, "Columnist in Turkish Islamic
Daily: ‘USA – the God-Damned Country’; ‘Murdering is Genetically
Ingrained in American Culture,’" February 2, 2005,
ves&Area=sd&ID=SP85705 ;
MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 1114, "Hamas Visit to Turkey Deepens
Secular-Islamist Rift," March 14, 2006,
ves&Area=sd&ID=SP111406
[15] Sabah (Turkey), September 17, 2006.
[16] A reference to the 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John
Paul II by Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turk.
[17] In February 2006, a Catholic priest was murdered in a church in
Trabzon, Turkey, by an Islamist.
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archi
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archi