Papal visit denounced

ISTANBUL – Tens of thousands of protesters denounced Pope Benedict XVI as an enemy of Islam at a rally that highlighted the deep strains in Turkey before hosting the pontiff this week: Officials hoping to promote their Western-looking goals, while pro-Islamic groups unite in anger.

Chants of “No to the pope!” rose among the nearly 25 000 demonstrators on Sunday at every mention of the pope’s remarks on violence and the Prophet Muhammad. Many protesters wore headbands with anti-pope slogans and waved placards that included a depiction of Benedict as the grim reaper.The protest, organised by an Islamist political party, was the largest mass gathering so far against Benedict’s four-day visit scheduled to begin Tuesday – his first papal journey to a mostly Muslim nation.The outcry also was designed to rattle Turkey’s establishment.Turkish officials hope to use the visit to promote their ambitions of becoming the first Muslim nation in the European Union and showcase their secular political system.But pro-Islamic groups – which have been gaining strength for years – perceive Benedict as a symbol of Western intolerance and injustices against Muslims.”The pope is not wanted here,” said Kubra Yigitoglu, 20, who attended the rally in a head scarf, ankle-length coat and cowboy boots.Nearby, a large banner was raised amid a sea of red flags of the Saadet, or Felicity, party.It called the Vatican “a source of terror.”Nearly 4 000 police, including units in full riot guard, watched over the protest.Surveillance helicopters buzzed overhead and protesters were frisked before entering the square in a conservative stronghold of Istanbul.The pope’s visit has two distinct – and difficult – objectives: trying to calm Muslim ire and advance efforts to heal a nearly 1 000-year divide in Christianity between the Vatican and Orthodox churches.Benedict plans to first meet with political and Muslim religious leaders in the capital, Ankara, including Turkey’s president and the Islamic cleric who oversees Turkey’s religious affairs.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to attend a Nato meeting in Latvia during the papal visit, but could briefly greet the pontiff at the airport.Nampa-APMany protesters wore headbands with anti-pope slogans and waved placards that included a depiction of Benedict as the grim reaper.The protest, organised by an Islamist political party, was the largest mass gathering so far against Benedict’s four-day visit scheduled to begin Tuesday – his first papal journey to a mostly Muslim nation.The outcry also was designed to rattle Turkey’s establishment.Turkish officials hope to use the visit to promote their ambitions of becoming the first Muslim nation in the European Union and showcase their secular political system.But pro-Islamic groups – which have been gaining strength for years – perceive Benedict as a symbol of Western intolerance and injustices against Muslims.”The pope is not wanted here,” said Kubra Yigitoglu, 20, who attended the rally in a head scarf, ankle-length coat and cowboy boots.Nearby, a large banner was raised amid a sea of red flags of the Saadet, or Felicity, party.It called the Vatican “a source of terror.”Nearly 4 000 police, including units in full riot guard, watched over the protest.Surveillance helicopters buzzed overhead and protesters were frisked before entering the square in a conservative stronghold of Istanbul.The pope’s visit has two distinct – and difficult – objectives: trying to calm Muslim ire and advance efforts to heal a nearly 1 000-year divide in Christianity between the Vatican and Orthodox churches.Benedict plans to first meet with political and Muslim religious leaders in the capital, Ankara, including Turkey’s president and the Islamic cleric who oversees Turkey’s religious affairs.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to attend a Nato meeting in Latvia during the papal visit, but could briefly greet the pontiff at the airport.Nampa-AP