http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-14720.html
AK Party accuses Pope Benedict of ignorance and malevolence The New Anatolian / Ankara Pope Benedict XVI's controversial remarks on Islam drew fire from the government, the opposition and civil groups alike on Friday. A ruling party official on Friday lambasted Benedict for his statements and claimed that with the statements the pope had revealed his ignorance. In a speech that drew fire, the German pope on Wednesday quoted 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II speaking about Christianity and Islam. "The emperor comes to speak about the issue of 'jihad,' holy war," the pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached'," he quoted the emperor as saying. Religious Affairs Directorate head Ali Bardakoglu on Thursday called on the pope to apologize for the statements, labeling them "a reflection of a subconscious Crusader mentality." Ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party deputy group leader Salih Kapusuz expressed support for Bardakoglu's statements on Friday, saying that the pope's statements paint Islam as a violent religion. Calling a person in his position not knowing the facts about Islam and Muhammed "deplorable ignorance," Kapusuz said, "If he distorts the facts on purpose, that's more than simply ignorance, it's treason." "Benedict is obviously still living in the darkness of the Middle Ages and it's lamentable that he couldn't benefit from the reforms in the Christian world," said Kapusuz. "Benedict made a backwards statement as a person who wants to revive the Crusader mentality. What saddens us is that the papacy is currently occupied by a miserable person who has ulterior motives, at a time when history is on the verge of a breaking point." Meanwhile, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy group leader Haluk Koc said that the pope had added fuel to the risk of interfaith conflict. "It's a great shame that the pope made these insulting statements and alienated the Islam world from the papacy," said Koc, calling on Benedict to apologize to the Islamic world before his visit to Turkey, scheduled for November. In related news, members of the Turkish Public Workers' Labor Union (Kamu-Sen) protested the pope's statements in front of the Vatican Embassy building in Ankara. Speaking in the protest, Turkish Religious Affairs Foundation Union head Bilal Eser said that the insulting the sacred beliefs of a religion and its prophet is impertinence. Underlining that they strongly condemn the pope for his statements, Eser said that the same mentality started the Crusades. World media reports on Bardakoglu's harsh statements Meanwhile, the harsh statements made by Religious Affairs Directorate head Bardakoglu were reported on extensively in the world media. The New York Times reported Bardakoglu's statements were especially strong, possibly putting the pope's visit to Turkey in November in jeopardy. While France's Le Figaro said that the Turks hadn't forgotten that Benedict opposed Turkey's accession to the European Union when he was still a cardinal, The Washington Times argued that the tension is being escalated prior to the pope's visit to Turkey. In a story about Muslims' criticisms of the pope, The New York Times said that the strongest words came from Turkey, emphasizing the possibility that the statements will jeopardize Benedict's plan to visit the country. "The criticism from Mr. Bardakoglu was especially strong and carried with it the prospect of particular embarrassment if Benedict were forced to cancel or delay his visit to Turkey," the daily said. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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