In the Ottoman Empire, the Janissaries were an elite military group made up of men who had as children been taken forcibly from their Christian families and converted to Islam. The Janissaries were often used against their own ancestral people — for jihad attacks against Christian areas. Here, they have become a symbol of rapidly re-Islamizing Turkey’s rejection of the Christian and post-Christian West.
“Janissary chases Santa Claus out of town in symbolical anti-New Year’s Eve celebration act,” Hürriyet Daily News, December 31, 2014 (thanks to Blazing Cat Fur):
Amid increasing anger at official and popular levels at the supposed Christian aspects of New Year’s celebrations in Turkey, members of the far-right Great Unity Party (BBP) symbolically ran Santa out of town Dec. 31 in the northwestern province of Bolu.
In a skit performed on the city’s central İzzet Baysal Avenue, Santa began distributing gifts to passersby, prompting the “sultan” – who happened to chance upon the scene – to ask his vizier what was occurring. After being informed, the sultan shouted, “Throw him out of the city,” precipitating a chase as Santa attempted to elude pursuing Janissaries.
“Citizens are celebrating because they’re entering a new year,” said BBP Bolu Chair Mahmut Alan. “We’re against the celebration of [new year]. We wanted to express this with a play.”
particolor says
There is nothing more Horrifying than the Sight of a Fleeing Santa !!!..
I hope He makes it to the Border !!
Charli Main says
He is probably a Muslim “refugee” pretending to be Santa so that he can escape “persecution” by Christians and demand “asylum” in the West.
Asylum = a life living on benefits in a free house provided by the Kaffirs and getting paid to breed more Muslims.
particolor says
In that case I hope He Trips over His Sandal Strap and breaks His Big Nose !!
mortimer says
No…it’s Turks practicing ETHNIC CLEANSING of the indigenous peoples. Saint Nicholas was born in Patara off the southern coast of Anatolia. A legend says he threw gifts anonymously through the windows of the needy. He was revered as a protector and helper of the needy and persecuted. Imagine protecting victims of persecution and ethnic cleansing! How un-Turkish!
By going in for such stunts, Turks are showing their true colors: genocide and ethnic cleansing…normative Islam, rather than an aberration.
gravenimage says
Mortimer, you are quite right.
Not many people are familiar with this, but St. Nicholas—who was very much a real person, and whom Santa Claus (through a series of twists and turns) is based upon—was 4th-century Bishop of Myra in what is today south-western Turkey. Myra is now called Demre.
Of course, the entire region was Christian before the invasion of the Muslim horde beginning in the 7th century, and culminating in the terrible conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
So the symbolism of having a Janissary drive out Santa is quite clear—it is a double Muslim victory over Christians—first by the brainwashing and use of the Janissary, then by driving out Christians who cannot be used by Muslims.
And it is, of course, more of that hideous Muslim kill-joy, which doesn’t allow for the celebration of either Christmas of the New Year.
It is, further, obviously a threat to anyone in Turkey—Muslim, one of the tiny surviving remnant of Christians, or any foreign vacationers—of their likely fate if they try to celebrate New Year.
Infidel Aussie says
Oh, and I thought Turkey was supposed to the benchmark for the perfect secular society. Well that what I think I keep hearing from Islamic apologists in the West. Must have heard wrong
Linda says
i guess you have not kept up on the news….
jay says
Oh no, you are not, they’re a shining example of poc heroes who are defending their indigenous lands from the imperialist evil yt.
Anyone says
Infidel Aussie
And remember, Turkey is a member of NATO and is also pressing for full EU membership. Not all Turks are muslim, but those who are, with their anti-Western culture lifestyle would be free to roam ANY European city and spread their bigoted hatred amongst us. And thus further expand Islam across Europe with the help of the cowardly, liberal radical left.
Europe is not safe for Western women anymore, more-so for pre-pubescent and teenage girls.
.. and now we see another boatload of muslim runaways, probably shipped out by Turkey, being allowed into Italy, with NO background checks on the males, they will be free to walk the streets and continue to spread their islamic message, so young females better watch their backs.
Aussie Infidel says
Sorry IA for the late post, but I have a very busy life apart from speaking out against the ‘religion of peace’. With similar names, I hope our posts won’t be confused. There are quite a few Aussies on this site. I’ve been posting here and on other sites for many years, but not as frequently as I would like to. I’ve been following Robert since he began this blog over ten years ago, and met him on a number of occasions at conferences and presentations. He’s a true champion of liberty – even if he does refer to us at times as “greasy Islamophobes.”
Nevertheless, I agree with you. Ever since Erdogan saw himself as the next Khalif, he has been undoing the secularism initiated a century ago by Ataturk; and Turkey has been slowly but surely, reverting to its
Ottoman roots. But Erdogan is not the only Turk we have to be concerned about. The former Secretary General of the OIC, Prof Ekmelledin Ihsonoglu, was in the chair during the initial debates at the UNHRC on ‘blasphemy of religion’ etc.
When Ihsonoglu visited Australia back in 2012 – to accept a donation of $1 million from our then PM Kevin Rudd, toward the Islamic Museum in Melbourne – he also gave addresses at local universities. During one such address, Ihsonoglu was asked a question about ‘9/11’, to which he replied: “That was a great mistake for us. Now we have had to confront the West before we were ready.” I still remember the look of shock and horror on the face of the plain clothes policeman sitting next to me – we couldn’t believe our ears.
Perhaps Ihsonoglu thought that his audience was full of Muslims or their apologists? It seemed that he was blaming bin Laden for foiling their devious plan for ‘jihad-by-stealth’. But now, the mouse had squeaked, and the cat was waking from its slumber. But will we wake up in time?
particolor says
Well Stuff Me ???
What’s in that Melbourne Islamic Museum ? A Stuffed Goat that MooHamHead Shagged ??..
A Million bucks in needed here and the Bush for a New Bridge and He gives it to a Space Invader ??..
Aussie Infidel says
Particolor, I don’t know what they have on display in that museum, other than what they feature on their website. They wanted $10 entry, where all other museums were free. I didn’t feel like subsidizing the local jihadis, so I went elsewhere. But you can bet your last dinar, they will be claiming that Muslims discovered Australia, and without their contributions, we’d be a failed state – just like the ones they left behind.
It’s a sore point that our Treasurer, Joe Hockey, himself a Lebanese Christian (with Muslim inlaws), spoke enthusiastically at the opening of the museum, but would not attend the International Symposium on Islam, presented by the Q Society, at which Robert was a guest speaker. Watch the video of our Joe, praising the Muslims, and quoting Muhammad’s final sermon. Is there any wonder why the mullahs are laughing all the way to their mosques!
http://www.islamicmuseum.org.au/
You could be sure though, that they wouldn’t have anything about the ‘Battle of Broken Hill’ – the very first jihadist attack in Australia. Back in 1915, on New Years day, two Muslims shot up the annual picnic train to Silverton, killing a number of people. Naturally, we were never told anything about this in history lessons at school, so most Aussies have never heard of it – and of course, the naive innocent population of the day, could not believe that anyone could commit such an atrocity in the name of a religion. The more things change, the more they remain the same.
http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/enemyathome/battle-of-broken-hill/.
particolor says
I’ve know about the Broken Hill Incident all My life, we were Taught and EDUCATED in My day, You Know? Back when the Government wasn’t Frightened of its Own Shadow, and the Newspapers Printed the TRUTH !!…And You would be thrown in an Asylum as Insane if You used Politically Correct language.!
My Father said once 50 Years ago “Why are they letting those W@gs (Arabs) into the Country ? They are Nothing but trouble and would Steal the Wax out of Your ears !!”..He was Bloody Right !!
Infidel Aussie says
Aussie Infidel,
Sorry I didn’t mean to take your ‘call sign’.. If the system will allow to avoid any confusion I will attempt to blog in under the name ‘Another Infidel Aussie’ in the future. All the Best .Cheers
particolor says
Its only at the “OCCUPATION” Stage here in Australia yet !!
The “FULL TAKE OVER” Is coming soon .
Aussie Infidel says
No problem IA, I’ve got a pretty thick skin – you have to when dealing with Muslims. All the best to you too.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
In a skit performed on the city’s central İzzet Baysal Avenue…
And then moved on up to the bigger skit, the worldwide TV Islam Kabuki, where enemies don’t have names, allies are only kinda sorta allies, and threats to wipe a country from the map with nukes is a negotiating partner on nuclear arms and ICMB missile platforms pre-announced to be headed for Tel Aviv. As a twist to the stage plot, war coward John is handling the proceedings on that one.
I’ve seen the skit a hundred times over since 9/11, and my head throbs when they get to the part of wondering why the vast majority of Moslems don’t speak out against… their religion. Hey, guys, can you at least sling up some warmed over taquiyya so the boys over at Fox RINO can proffer at least some small shreds of hope?
Islam is bad theater, but its had a steady run on Broadway for 1,400 years now, with no end in sight.
particolor says
Thank You !!
The Not The.. Monty Python Team ……
gravenimage says
Excellent post, APF—all too true.
Jay Boo says
Oh my goodness what ever will happen to Ukraine (as NPR and Obama warns us daily) without Turkey on our side? But don’t we need to be nice to Turkey our NATO partner and friend?
The next countries seeking EU membership are Turkey
and the Muslim infested Balkan countries.
Let Russia have Ukraine because Europe has a much bigger problem on its doorstep.
Flush Turkey out of NATO.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Looking at the larger-size photo at
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/janissary-chases-santa-claus-out-of-town-in-symbolical-anti-new-years-eve-celebration-act-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=76343&NewsCatID=341 ,
it is clear from the headwear of the Santa-chaser that this is not a Janissary but an elf, part of the ONP (Occupy North Pole) movement protesting the low wages of the 99% of toy-factory workers.
jay says
Murdering 2 million Christians in a temper tantrum and denying it the last 100 years wasn’t enough, eh?
particolor says
No there is still a lot of World to Conquer yet !!..
I heard on the News last night that Muslims are going Berserk in China now ?? I don’t like their chances much !!.. Cant wait till they try to Halal the Chairman’s Fried Rice ??
Crixus says
Ataturk is turning in his grave. The great Secular state he built by turfing out the caliph is crumbling..dark age mumbo-jumbo returns.
Some out this down to the rejection of EU application by France and the reaction from Turks. Perhaps it is but the week and feckless leadership of the EU would merely encourage the death cult and it’s babbling wizards as it does across the union.
The disintegration of an enlightened society. 25 years ago I lived in Istanbul, open displays of Islamic faith… Thobes, burquas etc were seen as absurd and sneered at by the general public. All changed now.
Doesn’t help when you have idiots like Neeson declaring his live of Islam due to the fantastic architecture of the ancient mosques…. You know, all those former churches built by the Christian Byzantine Empire. Ignorant fool.
Michael Copeland says
Can somebody tell the Turks that Santa has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus’s, and nothing to do with New Year’s Day?
particolor says
They wouldn’t Understand !! They are just against anything Western, Except of coarse FREE MONEY !!
Aion says
Actually he does in an indirect way, Santa Claus is based on a Greek Orthodox bishop from when Turkey was Anatolia and part of the Byzantine Empire. So really, this is pretty much just a play demonstrating how the Turks committed genocide against the Greeks…
SpiritOf1683 says
I wonder what would have happened if he’d dressed up as one of Jan Sobieski’s Winged Hussars instead.
John Mustart South Africa. says
As a born again Christian I am not offended by seeing Santa being chased out of town. It is about time that Christians did the same thing. I can’t stand this idiot custom of Santa being embraced by so many Christians. It is absurd. No wonder that sections of the Western Church is dying. Bring up children on the truth and not a lie. We Christians must wake up. The spread of Islam is a judgement on the slack and sleeping Christian Church. God hates a lie. Santa is a lie that has soiled the witness of Christians for far too long.
gravenimage says
As a born again Christian I am not offended by seeing Santa being chased out of town. It is about time that Christians did the same thing. I can’t stand this idiot custom of Santa being embraced by so many Christians… Santa is a lie that has soiled the witness of Christians for far too long…
……………………………….
Oh, good grief—Santa is nothing worse than a lovely tale for children (which few over the age of six or seven take literally, in any case), and his story of giving is not out of line with Christian values—and observing the New Year is just a symbolic celebration of new beginnings and fresh starts.It is optimistic and quintessentially Western.
Notice that this poster considers such harmless fun much worse than Muslim supremacism and the celebration of oppression and genocide.
Thankfully there are few Christians who have this grim interpretation of their joyous faith.
John Mustart South Africa. says
There are more Christians than you realise who would agree with me. I would prefer to see children being brought up on a better understanding of Christ. We disrespect children by starting them off on a lie while they are so young. The Psalmist in Psalm 8 writes in verses 1 & 2 “Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted by the mouth of babes and infants”
It has got nothing to do with what Muslims think or say but is very important how we respect our Lord Jesus Christ. With respect, perhaps you should re examine how you view Christ. I try each day to keep my mind open to His leading. The road to the Kingdom is narrow and few obtain it. None of us can presume upon salvation. We are dependent on the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Father.
Keith Jordan says
John, it looks as if you never have any fun at all, and you hope nobody else will, either. You would be a joy to live with.
John Mustart South Africa. says
Hi Keith: see my reply to you under my comment to myself. I put it in the wrong place.
St. Croix says
I have been doing some investigating into the real Saint Nicholas and here are a couple of links for you, John.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/december/better-than-santa.html
http://www.persecutionblog.com/2014/12/st-nicholas-a-persecuted-christian.html
You may find that there is more to the tradition than meets the eye.
That said, there is never a need for parents to lie to children about Santa Claus, which, besides lying just being wrong, can cause needless trauma when they find out the truth! Children can be told what the tradition is and where it came from–a man who stood for Jesus Christ in spite of being tortured and imprisoned.
John Mustart South Africa. says
Thank you for a constructive reply and thank you for the web sites St. Croix. I agree one can give truthful info, however I think santa should be kept out of the church worship of Christ for sure as Christmas for the Christian that is, is a celebration of His birth. Santa has been developed into a massive commercial enterprise and materialism has been elevated to a dizzy height. We Christians need to get back to th basics. Over and out. Best of 2015 to you.
John Mustart South Africa. says
Hi Keith Jordan: Well I hear what you are saying but it is totally incorrect. I do not need Santa to bring me joy. I have a sense of humor second to none and have been married for 41 years and my wife and I are still laughing a lot. Christ brings me all the joy I need, a very deep joy indeed. If you do not know Jesus yet I can strongly recommend Him to you through John’s Gospel. If you give Him and yourself a chance then you to will discover that deep joy. Have an excellent 2015
gravenimage says
I can’t stand this idiot custom of Santa being embraced by so many Christians. It is absurd. No wonder that sections of the Western Church is dying.
…………………………………….
Your linking the custom of Santa Claus with an abandonment of Christianity could not be more ahistorical. The rise of the custom of Santa, in fact, paralleled that of America’s “Great Awakening” in the 19-century—and it *did not* exist as a counterpoint.
Clement Clarke Moore—who wrote the seminal “A Visit from Saint Nicolas” in 1823—was a Professor of Divinity and Biblical learning at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in New York City. He was also a Hebrew scholar who wrote an influential Hebrew lexicon. He wrote tirelessly on Christianity, donated land for the founding of churches, and was a board member on the New York Institution for the Blind. There are a few points on which I differ with him, but it would be difficult to consider him anything other than a profoundly devout Christian.
The custom of Santa—whether one observes it personally or not—does not prevent one from fully embracing Christianity.
Would that that were true of Islam. Your belief that this story “has got nothing to do with what Muslims think” is *dead wrong*. The same Muslims symbolically “running Santa out of town” have been all to happy to do the same—quite literally—to Christians.
That is exactly what they did right in Turkey to Christians a century ago, and exactly what they are doing to Christians in the neighboring Islamic State and in places like Nigeria *right now*. And this is not just expulsion, but *enslavement and genocide*.
*This* is what is happening to Christians at the hands of Muslims, while some instead fret over the supposed disaster of a jolly man in a red suit handing out presents to little children.
Talk about misplaced priorities…
wallace says
hi graven image, agree with what you put there. Man goes through 3 stages of santa, Stage1. You believe in him . Stage2. You stop believing in him. Stage3 You are him .
gravenimage says
I like your “three stages” of Santa, Wallace. That is what I have tried to do. And I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas!
Angemon says
Huh, Santa is associated with Christmas, not with the New Year.
I wonder if somewhere in Saudi Arabia there’s a group doing a skit where an arab caliph chases out a usurper turkish sultan from the seat of the caliphate…
particolor says
He was going to Dress up as Moharmmuds Goat but changed His Mind, as that would have only got Him a Burning Ring Of Fire !!
gravenimage says
Angemon wrote:
Huh, Santa is associated with Christmas, not with the New Year.
………………………………
Actually, in many places where the celebration of Christmas was either banned outright or strongly discouraged, Santa did indeed become associated with New Year celebrations. This was certainly true of the old Soviet Union.
Here’s an even more appalling story involving Muslims, Santa, and New Year’s celebrations, from JW three years ago:
“Tajikistan: Muslims shouting ‘infidel’ murder Santa Claus”
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/01/tajikistan-muslims-shouting-infidel-murder-santa-claus
Angemon says
gravenimage posted:
“Actually, in many places where the celebration of Christmas was either banned outright or strongly discouraged, Santa did indeed become associated with New Year celebrations. This was certainly true of the old Soviet Union.”
I see. Thanks for the info, GI.
gravenimage says
Thanks, Angemon—and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Angemon says
Thank you GI, and like wise 🙂
duh_swami says
I don’t blame them. I have been enraged at Santa ever since I was 6, when I sat on his lap in a dept store, and he promised to bring me a little red wagon…He never did it. I have gone back every year to demand answers but they won’t let me sit on his lap. I have tried to set cooky and milk traps but they don’t work.
The most frustrating part is I can hear him on the roof, laughing and shouting Ho, ho, ho…Some day I’m going to catch that bugger, and then we will see how many ho, ho, ho’s he has in him.
particolor says
Never Mind !! At least He is Sharing His Ho’s with You !!
duh_swami says
Did he promise you a little red wagon too? Did he deliver?
particolor says
No ! the Scrooge !! Any wonder they Tossed Him out of Turkey !!
I think they all wanted a Red Hummer ??
St. Croix says
The first murder event of the New Year in Canada was a shooting at a party in Alberta…details are sketchy yet, but one person is dead, a Somalian called Abdullahi Ahmed. Apparently someone opened fire wounding a eight of them and the Somalian community is being encouraged to come forward with info. I wonder if it’s Muslim on Muslim violence–perhaps to punish these for celebrating New Year? Or maybe just gang violence, in which several dozen Somalian men working in Alberta have died over past seven or so years.
wallace says
I would capture a fat jihadist rip his tongue out, dress him up in a santa suit that effectively disguises the suicide vest. I would remove myself to a safe distance open a bottle of Bud and enjoy the show.
Steffen Larsen says
And in Jordan we have recently seen Santa being arrested for illegal activities.
Poor Santa.
Semeru says
The incident happened in Lebanon
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/12/jordan-santa-claus-arrested-for-evangelizing-and-inciting-sectarianism/comment-page-1#comment-1169985
The original source
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Dec-23/282104-isf-santa-squad-rewards-motorists-wearing-seat-belts.ashx
Mackie says
The irony that remains however, is that the first recognized Santa Claus (Saint Nicholas) was born and lived on the southern coast of Turkey in Myra in the 3rd Century. His remains are now memorialized in a monastery in Bari,Italy. Today barely one percent of the population of Turkey is Christian..
Charli Main says
The other 99% were systematically butchered, over a 1000 year period, by the Muslims invaders from Central Asia.
Muslim outreach to the indigenous Christians of Anatolia.
Walter Sieruk says
If Muslims would just put all their hate into hating the fictional character of myth that is Santa that would be a rather good thing. Nevertheless, instead of just having hate for that character of myth many jihad minded Muslim hate real people and go even further to engage in terrible violence against them.
What a shame the followers of Islam just don’t stick to hating Santa.
peter says
How about tit for tat, appropriately enough on Sept 11 (battle of Vienna Sept 11 1683) , to be held in Vienna. A horsed ‘Polish hussar’ in a gentle walk, sword drawn and pointed at a representative Turk ‘Kara Mustafa Pasha’ symbolically chased out of town.
Ah…never mind…it could not happen! The outcry would be deafening though one can see Turkish spoils left behind from the rout at the Vienna Imperial Armory as a consolation prize!
Lioness says
Extremely sinister to celebrate New Year’s, from a Muslim point of view. New year is an infidel invention that califate Turkey cannot allow.
Lesley says
I like that Robert Spencer referenced the history of the Ottoman Empire in the opening of the article. I know I’m probably behind many others here, but I’ve just realized that Islamic aggression has been the same old, tired problem for the last 1400 years. I think that after the destruction of the Ottoman empire, Turkey bloomed into a secular society as Crixus mentioned. As Turkey stands under Erdrogan, I cannot fathom how they are allowed to be a NATO ‘ally’. This is madness!
Nikiforos Fokas says
Just a remark … Turkomuslims slaughtered or islamized by sword all the Greekorthodox Byzantines of Asia Minor and Constantinople …This area was the heart of Byzantium and at 11th century when the Turks came had about 11 millions Greeks or Romii as they called themselfs .
Today there are only 1500 Greeks -Romii in Constantinople !!!
{Even in Germany there are today more Jews .}
This is the bigest and most efficient genocide perhaps in entire human history !
gravenimage says
Some *were* able to escape to the West. There was a flood of Greek scholars into the West after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. This was in every way a terrible loss, but their knowledge of Greek and access to ancient Greek works further fueled the revival of Classical learning already underway in the West.
gravenimage says
Here’s one more point:
In a skit performed on the city’s central İzzet Baysal Avenue, Santa began distributing gifts to passersby, prompting the “sultan” – who happened to chance upon the scene – to ask his vizier what was occurring. After being informed, the sultan shouted, “Throw him out of the city,” precipitating a chase as Santa attempted to elude pursuing Janissaries.
………………………………
Notice we have the symbolic reappearance of the Sultan here—rather than, say, a Turkish policeman. This is *not* accidental.
Increasingly, Turkey has had dreams of reviving the Caliphate—just like in the sanguinary horror of the neighboring Islamic State. The last time there was a Caliphate, over a million Christians were slaughtered in Turkey and surrounding parts of the Empire.