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Pope urges dialogue to end extremism
(MENAFN- Arab News) ANKARA: Pope Francis on Friday called for dialogue between faiths to end extremism plaguing the Middle East as he visited Turkey for his first visit to the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular state.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who welcomed Pope Francis as the first foreign dignitary to his controversial new presidential palace outside Ankara for his part issued a strong warning about rising Islamophobia in the world.
The visit of the pope is seen as a crucial test of Francis' ability to build bridges between faiths amid the rampage by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria and concerns over the persecution of Christian minorities in the Middle East.
'Sadly to date we are still witnessing grave conflicts. In Syria and Iraq particularly terrorist violence shows no signs of abating' the pope said after talks with Erdogan.
'Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue can make an important contribution ... so that there will be an end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism' the leader of the world's Roman Catholics added.
Speaking in an overwhelmingly Muslim country which has a tiny but culturally significant Christian minority the pope pointedly said all faiths should share the same rights.
'It is essential that all citizens Muslim Jewish and Christian both in the provision and practice of the law enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties.'
Turkey's own Christian community is tiny just 80000 in a country of some 75 million Muslims but also extremely mixed consisting of Armenians Greek Orthodox Franco-Levantines Syriac Orthodox and Chaldeans.
Erdogan has long been accused by opponents of seeking to erode Turkey's secular foundations with creeping Islamization. But he also presents himself as a friend of the country's extremely small but varied non-Muslim minorities.
He chose the occasion to make a characteristically strong-worded warning against growing Islamophobia in the world which he warned risked further dividing Muslims and Christians.
'Islamophobia is rising seriously and rapidly. We must work together against the threats weighing on our planet intolerance racism and discrimination' said Erdogan.
The security of the pope who looked tired and at times distant during the visit is paramount for the Turkish authorities.
The streets of Ankara appeared deserted of well-wishers as his motorcade whizzed through in stark contrast to the close contact with crowds that have been such a feature of the past trips.
Some 2700 police supervised his visit in Ankara a number that will rise to 7000 for the last two days of the trip in Istanbul.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who welcomed Pope Francis as the first foreign dignitary to his controversial new presidential palace outside Ankara for his part issued a strong warning about rising Islamophobia in the world.
The visit of the pope is seen as a crucial test of Francis' ability to build bridges between faiths amid the rampage by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq and Syria and concerns over the persecution of Christian minorities in the Middle East.
'Sadly to date we are still witnessing grave conflicts. In Syria and Iraq particularly terrorist violence shows no signs of abating' the pope said after talks with Erdogan.
'Inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue can make an important contribution ... so that there will be an end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism' the leader of the world's Roman Catholics added.
Speaking in an overwhelmingly Muslim country which has a tiny but culturally significant Christian minority the pope pointedly said all faiths should share the same rights.
'It is essential that all citizens Muslim Jewish and Christian both in the provision and practice of the law enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties.'
Turkey's own Christian community is tiny just 80000 in a country of some 75 million Muslims but also extremely mixed consisting of Armenians Greek Orthodox Franco-Levantines Syriac Orthodox and Chaldeans.
Erdogan has long been accused by opponents of seeking to erode Turkey's secular foundations with creeping Islamization. But he also presents himself as a friend of the country's extremely small but varied non-Muslim minorities.
He chose the occasion to make a characteristically strong-worded warning against growing Islamophobia in the world which he warned risked further dividing Muslims and Christians.
'Islamophobia is rising seriously and rapidly. We must work together against the threats weighing on our planet intolerance racism and discrimination' said Erdogan.
The security of the pope who looked tired and at times distant during the visit is paramount for the Turkish authorities.
The streets of Ankara appeared deserted of well-wishers as his motorcade whizzed through in stark contrast to the close contact with crowds that have been such a feature of the past trips.
Some 2700 police supervised his visit in Ankara a number that will rise to 7000 for the last two days of the trip in Istanbul.
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