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Turkish PM's Promotion Of Interfaith Dialogue Causes Dispute In Ruli

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  • Turkish PM's Promotion Of Interfaith Dialogue Causes Dispute In Ruli

    TURKISH PM'S PROMOTION OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE CAUSES DISPUTE IN RULING PARTY

    Milliyet web site, Istanbul
    29 Aug 05

    Text of report by Abdullah Karakus, "'Encounter' supported by Erdogan
    creates controversy", published by Turkish newspaper Milliyet web
    site on 29 August; subheadings as published

    The "Meeting of Civilizations" with the theme of "inter-religious
    dialogue" that is to be held in Hatay from 25 to 30 September
    has brought a reaction from within the AKP [ruling Justice and
    Development Party], despite support for it from Prime Minister Recep
    Tayyip Erdogan. AKP Hatay parliamentarian Fuat Gecen, who has come
    out against the meeting, to which Erdogan ascribes great importance,
    has said: "Hatay is turning into a Vatican under the name of peace."

    Conveying to Erdogan via the deputy [parliamentary] group chairmen his
    criticisms of the First Hatay Meeting of Civilizations, at which the
    three religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam will be represented
    and messages of peace will be conveyed to the world, and calling on
    him to intervene in the situation, Gecen spoke as follows:

    "An effort is being made to turn Hatay into a Vatican. Certain things
    have begun to be done one after another. First the rhetoric on the
    Kurdish issue, then the Armenian game [the Istanbul conference on
    the Armenian genocide issue], and now incidents of people changing
    their religion. The church bell, the cantor and the call to prayer
    [rhymes in Turkish: can , hazan, ezan] will all be heard at the same
    time. They talk of peace and dialogue, but these things harm us. It
    is the common people who suffer and no one sees this."

    Stressing that the efforts carried out under the rubric of
    "inter-religious dialogue" are misguided, Gecen said: "Sensitivity
    should be displayed on the topic of religion. The EU is reportedly
    financing this meeting with a great deal of money. Why? Because
    it suits their interests. A fourth church is about to be opened in
    Hatay. They provide assistance to poor students and they change their
    religion. Missionary activities in Hatay are increasing with every
    passing day. Preventive measures should be taken." Stating that in
    order to protest against the meeting being held in Hatay, he did not
    attend the meeting in Ankara that Erdogan went to, Gecen said: "An
    emblem has reportedly been prepared for the meeting of civilizations
    in Hatay. But the minaret is barely visible in it, and can't be made
    out. They have just put its shadow, so as not to cause reproach. This
    is outrageous."

    Erdogan sees as important

    Erdogan had said at the publicity meeting held in Ankara that he
    ascribed great importance to the First Hatay Meeting of Civilizations.

    Erdogan had said: "A different message will be conveyed to
    Europe there. People should no longer be victims of the clash of
    civilizations. Let us never enter into pessimism on account of
    beliefs and let us not be disrespectful towards people of different
    beliefs. Let us not foist ideologies upon believers as 'religion'."

    Soydan: Hatay meeting is proper

    Meanwhile, AKP Hatay parliamentarian Mehmet Soydan has said that he
    considers it proper for the meeting to be held in Hatay. Soydan spoke
    as follows: "I think that whatever people's beliefs are, they should
    live them. Those who complain about the increase in churches should
    first be of assistance in people's learning Islam and in eliminating
    the obstacles to Koran courses. We have to respect other religions
    as well. We have to attach importance not to the conflict between
    religions but to their coexisting in peace. As long as there are great
    goals, I don't consider it correct to concern ourselves with minor
    issues. Nor do I share Fuat Gecen's thinking in terms of Hatay. No one
    is obliged to believe the way I do. Those who have religious beliefs
    can espouse their beliefs. There has to be this freedom. The Turks
    in Europe also live their Islam. We cannot have anything such as not
    allowing other religions to live in our own country. In the past,
    our ancestors also allowed the three
    religions to live together. And Jerusalem is an important place for
    all three religions."

    Missionary activities falsehood

    AKP Hatay parliamentary Ismail Soylu also gave support to the
    meeting. Noting that people should live together without any
    distinction in terms of religion or sect, Soylu said: "The important
    thing is for people to be people. It does not matter whether one has
    become a Jew or a Christian. The allegations that Muslims in Hatay
    are being turned into Christians are lies. There cannot be any such
    thing. Everyone is living in accord with their own beliefs."
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