For the first time a ruling party has celebrated the Christmas of Christian citizens in Turkey in non-Turkish languages. The branch office of Şişli District celebrated the Christmas in three non-Turkish languages: Armenian, Greek and Syriac.
The poster was hanged in Ergenekon Avenue in Istanbul where the Armenian nationals live densely.
Tag Archives: Christmas
Santa Claus Circumcised and Stabbed
A group of Anatolian Youth Society members protested Santa Claus and Christian customs. The protest took place in Istanbul. The extremist group brought a Santa Claus doll and they first circumcised the doll and then stabbed it until it was totally destroyed. The extremists believe and say that God ordered them to do so.
The number such protests keeps an increasing trend in Turkey. Non-muslim minorities, particularly the Christians, feel uneasy due to intolerant messages given in the protests.
Hate-speech on Christmas Eve
At the Christmas night on the 24th of December, an interesting message was written on one of the electronic billboards of a mosque in Kadikoy Port, Istanbul. The billboard of the mosque did not give a positive or embracing message. It targeted the Christians and Jews by giving a reference to the Qoran, Muslim’s holy book. The text barrowed from the Qoran says that “O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are in fact allies of one another.”
No clear explanation has been received from the Mosque or the Administration of Religious Affairs about the purpose of this text, yet.
No Santa Claus, Yes “Dede Korkut”
The local chief of Sirinevler Quarter in Istanbul gave an interesting message for the Christmas. On the canvas hanged by the chief, it reads that “Santa Claus, who has nothing to do with our customs and culture, will not come to Sirinevler this year, either! Instead, Dede Korkut (a hero in old Turkic legends) will come.”
According to message, Dede Korkut will teach kids that they came down to Earth to deliver justice. It is clear from this message that the local authorities are not happy with the decorations which are not inherent in Muslim culture. This message also reminded of the statement made by the Mufti of Keshan District last year.
The mufti of Keshan said that “Santa Claus is entering through chimneys or windows. If he were a good man, he would enter through the door.”
Merry Christmas
Christmas is ahead. On the 24th of December, Christian believers will visit their churches and celebrate the birth of their Lord, Jesus, at almost night time.
May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow.
The Minority Post wishes you lots of love, joy and happiness.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The Minority Post 