• Why Jihad Watch?
  • About Robert Spencer and Staff Writers
  • FAQ
  • Books
  • Muhammad
  • Islam 101
  • Privacy

Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Turks allow Qur’an recitations inside Hagia Sophia for first time in 81 years

Jun 6, 2016 10:21 am By Robert Spencer

“Koran recitations in the symbol of Orthodox Christianity? Greeks went furious and describe the unpreparedness move as ‘unbelievable provocation’ and ‘a shock’ for the Orthodox Christians. In a very diplomatic language, the Greek Foreign Ministry spoke of an ‘outdated and incomprehensible’ move that shows ‘disrespect’ towards historical religious sites. Conservative New Democracy said it is ‘lack of respect towards all Orthodox Christians worldwide.'” Indeed it is, but the Turks know that there is nothing whatsoever that they can do that would lose them the favor of the European Union. They know they have nothing to lose, and that Islamization is the wave of the future in Europe and the West in general. The Orthodox protests are feeble voices raised against a tidal wave, with even the Catholic Church standing mute, too afraid of harming their chimerical, self-defeating, and fruitless “dialogue” with Muslims to stand with their fellow Christians in this.

hagia_sophia

“Turkish gov’t allows Koran recitations in Hagia Sophia and shocks Orthodox Christians,” Keep Talking Greece, June 6, 2016:

For the first time after 81 years, the Turkish government allowed Koran recitations inside the ultimate symbol of Orthodox Christianity, the Hafia Sophia in Istanbul. All thought the month of Ramazan form 6th June to July 7th, state Television & Radio corporation (TRT) will broadcast a live program with prayers and the program will be hosted at Hagia Sophia.

The program “Hagia Sophia – Time for Blessing” with Koran recitations and discussions on”brotherhood in Islam, justice, unity, solidarity and charity” went on air at 2:00 a.m. Monday morning and will be aired every day for 29 days.

Koran recitations in the symbol of Orthodox Christianity? Greeks went furious and describe the unpreparedness move as “unbelievable provocation” and “a shock” for the Orthodox Christians.

In a very diplomatic language, the Greek Foreign Ministry spoke of an “outdated and incomprehensible” move that shows “disrespect” towards historical religious sites. Conservative New Democracy said it is “lack of respect towards all Orthodox Christians worldwide.”

The Basilica of Hagia Sophia dedicated to “Holy Wisdom” was built in 537 AD and served as Orthodox cathedral and seat of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch until 1453 when the Byzantine Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.

From 1204 until 1261, it was converted by the Fourth Crusaders to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Empire of Constantinople.

The building was an imperial mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. Under the founder of modern Turkey, secular Mustaf Kemal Ataturk, Hagia Sophia was turned into a museum on 1 February 1935.

Ever since the moderate muslim but very conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) of now president Recept Tayyip Erdogan gained power in 2004, there have been several attempts to open the Hagia Sophia as a mosque. From time to time, small groups of fanatics would gather outside the building and recite the Koran.

However, just a couple of days ago, on the anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople on May 29, thousands of Muslim worshipers flocked to Hagia Sophia museum and demanded the right to pray there.

An imam led a prayer in front of the building and the crowd called for it to be restored as a Muslim place of worship.

“Let the chains break, open Hagia Sophia,” the crowd chanted

“In the name of thousands of our brothers we demand to be allowed to pray inside the Hagia Sophia mosque,” said Salih Turhan, the president of the Anatolia Youth Association which organized the demonstration….

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Follow me on Facebook

Filed Under: Featured, Islamic supremacism, Turkey Tagged With: Hagia Sophia


Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Comments

  1. Jay Boo says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 10:35 am

    The genocide mosque

  2. Angemon says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 10:37 am

    Well, it was only a matter of time under Erdogan…

    • Westman says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      Here is a graphic from the Anatolia Youth Association website which, without words, shows how the Hagia Sophia is regarded – a victory of Islam shrine.

      http://www.agd.org.tr/images/uploads/b9fe954b97.jpg

      Erdogan has an ally in Salih Turhan and the Anatolia Youth Association. We’ll be hearing from Salih in the future.

    • Christianblood says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 1:13 pm

      Angemon

      Will the US and Nato repudiate their ally, the genocidal islamic Turkey and its leaders for allowing Qur’an recitations inside Hagia Sophia?

      • Angemon says

        Jun 6, 2016 at 8:41 pm

        Christianblood posted:

        “Angemon

        Will the US and Nato repudiate their ally, the genocidal islamic Turkey and its leaders for allowing Qur’an recitations inside Hagia Sophia?”

        I don’t know. I’m neither American nor privy to NATO’s inner workings. But since you brought this issue up to me, will your boss, Putin, and your country, Russia, repudiate their allies, Iran and Hamas, on account of them being rabidly, genocidal, anti-semitic jihadis whose stated goal is to murder millions of people and wipe a whole nation from the face of the earth?

        In fact, will you ever do that yourself as an individual? Because you’re very quick on the trigger to fling crap in the general Western direction, but you dig your heels in and refuse to give Iran or Hamas 1/10000000th of the scrutiny you give, for example, Saudi Arabia, which was crystallized in the travesty of you condemning the monarchical Saudi ruling system – where Saudis have no saying on who rules over them – while trying to distance the elected Iranian government from the people who elected it.

        • Christianblood says

          Jun 7, 2016 at 8:16 am

          Angemon

          I condemned numerous times the evil and deeply anti-semitic Iranian regime…and let us remember that it is the US government who abandoned their longtime Iranian ally, the Shah of Iran and encouraged the take-over of Iran by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979.

          (…the US told a Khomeini envoy that they were – in principle – open to the idea of changing the Iranian constitution, effectively abolishing the monarchy. And they gave the ayatollah a key piece of information – Iranian military leaders were flexible about their political future…) More on the BBC link below please:

          http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36431160

        • Angemon says

          Jun 9, 2016 at 9:00 pm

          Christianblood posted:

          “Angemon

          I condemned numerous times the evil and deeply anti-semitic Iranian regime”

          As if we needed more evidence that you don’t read and/or comprehend what you’re replying to. I wrote that you:

          refuse to give Iran or Hamas 1/10000000th of the scrutiny you give, for example, Saudi Arabia, which was crystallized in the travesty of you condemning the monarchical Saudi ruling system – where Saudis have no saying on who rules over them – while trying to distance the elected Iranian government from the people who elected it.

          Did I say you ever refused to condemn the Iranian regime? No. I said that you condemned the Saudis – who have a monarchical system and have no saying on their next ruler – as a whole while excusing yourself from doing the same on a nation – Iran – that holds elections to chose their rulers.

          “and let us remember that it is the US government who abandoned their longtime Iranian ally, the Shah of Iran and encouraged the take-over of Iran by the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1979. ”

          Red herring. Even if that article said what you imply, it’s completely irrelevant to your lack of willingness to hold the Moscow-aligned Iran to the standards you hold to the Washington-aligned Saudis.

      • Ex-muslim says

        Jun 7, 2016 at 12:50 pm

        Christianblood says

        “Will the US and Nato repudiate their ally, the genocidal islamic Turkey and its leaders for allowing Qur’an recitations inside Hagia Sophia?”

        NO. US and Nato are the TRUE incarnations of the Anti-Christ and for that reason they are very likely encouraging the muslim Turks to convert this church and the few other churches that exist in Turkey into Islamic mosques! Muslims are already converting thousands of Western empty churches into mosques and Westerners are very happily watching all this.

  3. KrazyKafir says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Only a matter of time now before it’s turned back into a victory mosque.

    • Hindu American says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 10:53 am

      That’s what the four minarets are supposed to symbolize – victory over the infidels. Oddly enough, the minarets are shaped like missiles.

      • KrazyKafir says

        Jun 6, 2016 at 11:00 am

        Or…………..bayonets?

      • gabi says

        Jun 6, 2016 at 11:55 am

        Well, a missile can break down these “missiles / bayonets” very easy, never mind!

      • Michael O'Neill says

        Jun 6, 2016 at 2:50 pm

        Another Muslamic miracle! How could the builders of the minarets have known what missiles would have looked like 500 years later, if not through Allah????

        • blitz2b says

          Jun 7, 2016 at 11:02 am

          Actually it is the other way around…. The missile design was copied from the minerate because death and destruction is all part of Islam

    • jo jo says

      Jun 7, 2016 at 5:58 pm

      lol no only of matter of time be for the russian bear squashes u n nato has warned turkey y start war with the bear we wont back u so lol

  4. Hindu American says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 10:52 am

    ‘ ….on the anniversary of the Fall of Constantinople on May 29.”

    Turks timed it really well, and that too soon after the German parliament formally recognized the Armenian genocide. Erdogan called it “blackmail”, recalled Turkey’s ambassador to Germany in retaliation and declared that Turkey may abandon Europe. Something is afoot.

    Good riddance. Don’t let the door hit you on your way out (of Europe).

    • Andra says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 11:21 am

      The German recognition of the Armenian Genocide is not in order to honor the Armenian victims. This resolution claims the German guilt for this genocide. It is only another means to put gehe Germans down with another inherited gulit. The Resolution was initiated by a Türkish politician with a German passport. He es a greenie and gets quoted with: We will finish by birthrate what we started at Vienna some hundred years ago.
      You will see, this resolution is just another way for the German Government to destroy German money, nothing less and definitely nothing more.

      • gabi says

        Jun 6, 2016 at 12:00 pm

        You get a point!

  5. mortimer says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Turks are planning their next genocide against the Kurds.

    What is it that a supremacist wants? Which Muslim is not a supremacist?

    Anatolia Youth Association which organized the demonstration….are they the descendants of the ‘Young Turks’ who committed the Armenian genocide.

  6. Always On Watch says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Islam rising!

    The West remains in suicidal denial.

    • Jay Boo says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 11:56 am

      Don’t be so cynical A.O.W.
      It is — the moon rising

      It has no light of its own, it offers merely a stolen reflection.
      Islam is spiritually decaying.
      Muslims are escaping.
      Two Muslims in a room is a conversation.
      Three Muslims in a room is a backstabbing contest.
      Without outside enemies Muslims always turn upon one another.

      Muslims captured this mosque as well as the one in Jerusalem and claimed it as a holy place of Islam yet, Islam still faces its inner spiritual emptiness built upon the blood soiled foundation of Muhammad’s disgrace.
      Islam is founded on the two faced moon that steals its light and always hides one face from view just as Muslims fast during the light of day at Ramadan then gorge themselves full after twilight.
      The can call a church a mosque yet their hearts are forever in the DARKNESS.

      The Arabic letter ن for Nazarene sounds a little bit noon.
      No darkness only light.
      More specifically it sounds like NEW ONE.
      Islam’s midnight darkness and imposter moon revealed in the noon day sun on a bright new day.

  7. WorkingClassPost says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 11:42 am

    This does look like something they’ve wanted to do for the longest time, and German hardening relations is as good an excuse as any.

    But it’s blackmail that will backfire.

    If they turn this into a mosk, then the rock dome, al aksa, is gone for sure.

  8. AnneM says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    Not surprised. With the Orthodox leadership meeting in a couple weeks, there was going to be a provocation at Hagia Sophia.

    • Sepp says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 9:34 pm

      These Orthodox “leaders” who will meet for a so-called Pan-Orthodox Great Synod are themselves ecumenists.

  9. Bear Tom says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    At least Germany had the guts to scorn the feigned insult to the honour of the Turks and recognize the Armenian Genocide. However, I’m ashamed to be associated with New Zealand whose Government refuses to recognize the Genocide. The response of the government to the question as to why it does not recognize the genocide was that New Zealanders want access to the Gallipoli war dead cemetery which right might be denied if NZ took sides against the Turks.

    My father who died from wounds received in Libya during WWII, and the thousands of Kiwis and Aussies who died fighting for the Truth and freedom will be wriggling with shame in their tombs to see more importance being given to a tomb site than to that Truth and freedom. We are governed by gutless slimy toads.

  10. Kuffar says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Using the dome of the rock as a barn for pigs is fair game.

  11. ElderlyZionist says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    But G-d forbid that a Jew should pray on the Temple Mount.

  12. Bear Tom says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 1:37 pm

    Kuffar, did you know that an Aussie tried to destroy the Dome in 1969?

    • Kuffar says

      Jun 7, 2016 at 2:55 pm

      It is too bad he didn’t succeed. The Israelis should have blown it up in 67. It would have saved a ton of grief and blood.

  13. Bear Tom says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Sorry, Al-Aqsa, not the Dome.

  14. Madonna says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    i dont understand this noise.
    in the conquering time hagia sophia was in a miserable condition, the corrupt christians sold it to the sultan.
    the turks stabilisied it, otherwise it would be only a ruin.

    i hope, they will pray someday there

  15. Voytek Gagalka says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    “…with even the Catholic Church standing mute,…”

    One must remember the contest here. The Catholic Church was previously in Crusades against Eastern (Orthodox) Christians to even bigger extend than it was directed against Mohammedans. They were all happy of collapse of the Byzantine Empire. Their appetite turned towards the East (Russia) during the late Middle Ages after they utterly lost Crusades in the Holy Land. They plans were very sinister indeed. That’s partially explaining their current “mute mode” when Orthodox Christians are slaughtered in the ME.

  16. somehistory says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Jesus told His disciples to remember what Daniel said about a “disgusting thing causing desolation, standing in a holy place.”

    The worship of satan through the wild beast of islam is truly disgusting. It is taking place all over the world. Nothing would delight the devil more, nothing would cause more evil glee to moslims than to know they were standing in a place considered holy by non-moslims. but esp so if considered holy by those who love Christ and His Father, Jehovah.

    Jesus did not specify the “holy place.” But when this “standing” by the “disgusting thing causing desolation” takes place, it will be the time for judgment. (Matthew 24). In the first fulfillment in 70 C.E., the “holy place” was Jerusalem with the Temple dedicated to Jehovah God. The “disgusting thing that causes desolation” was Titus and his Roman soldiers carrying their symbol of superiority.

    We are just about to see the second and final fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy. And Christians know what they have been commanded to do.

    • Michael Fernandez says

      Jun 7, 2016 at 7:24 am

      That “disgusting thing standing in a holy place” is the Pope. Once gaining power, the Roman Church quickly apostatized with its leader, the Pope, claiming the power and authority of Christ. Thereafter, the Pope became a servant of the devil, suppressing the knowledge of the truth, the Word of God, by the masses of the flock they (popes, bishops, priests) were supposed to care for and instruct in the Word. Rightly did the Reformers call the Pope the Antichrist, and so he is, each and every one of them since at least the 11th Century, and many before then.

  17. Plamen says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 4:38 pm

    Typical Turkish.
    A “counter-approach” to the German Armenian Genocide decision.
    Tit for tat.

    But, where was the tit-for-tat approach when Turkish huge Maryland mosque was opened??
    It should have been “We open your mosque – you open Hagia Sophia as a Church for Christians and also you open Halki Seminary that you closed” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halki_seminary).

    Reciprocity and toughness needed.
    That is what they understand from.
    All of them – all those circumcised ‘peacefuls’.
    Tomorrow they will turn Hagia Sophia into full mosque.
    Who, what would stop them not to do it?…

  18. Plamen says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    Anatolia Youth Association was established as Youth Foundation during 1970 as islamic movement’s and its party’s youth arm and soon became largest youth organisation in country.
    Military closed it after their 1987 “coup” but after the ‘new day’ began in 2002 it soon reemerged in its current shape.
    https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anadolu_Gen%C3%A7lik_Derne%C4%9Fi
    Erdogan young guardians. Its boss is similarly imam like him.
    Ruling elite of imams.

    “Anatolian youth” – means “Ottoman-Islam” youth.
    In no way secular, Ataturkist.
    It regularly pushes for closure of all Churches and opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

  19. Richard says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    The Hagia Sophia must be restored as the central Orthodox Church that it is. Istanbul must again be Constantinople.

    • Charles Martel says

      Jun 6, 2016 at 9:11 pm

      I agree. Constantinople fell because its inhabitants left the city and refused to defend it.
      The last Emperor died defending the city. The Orthodox opted for the Turkish crescent saying : ‘we prefere the Turkish turban instead of the pope tiara.’
      And God gave them what the requested. The Turks will always be Turks. Do not trust them!
      If they would have respect for Christianity they should reopen the old theological school at Halki and give back Hagia Sophia to Ecumenical Patriarchate.
      But these are just dreams which will never be materialized.

      • Phaulkon says

        Jun 7, 2016 at 6:24 am

        The last speech of Constantine XI Palaiologos Emperor of Byzantium Monday 28 May 1453…Gentlemen, illustrious captains of the army, and our most Christian comrades in arms: we now see the hour of battle approaching. I have therefore elected to assemble you here to make it clear that you must stand together with firmer resolution than ever. You have always fought with glory against the enemies of Christ. Now the defence of your fatherland and of the city known the world over, which the infidel and evil Turks have been besieging for two and fifty days, is committed to your lofty spirits.

        Be not afraid because its walls have been worn down by the enemy’s battering. For your strength lies in the protection of God and you must show it with your arms quivering and your swords brandished against the enemy. I know that this undisciplined mob will, as is their custom, rush upon you with loud cries and ceaseless volleys of arrows. These will do you no bodily harm, for I see that you are well covered in armour. They will strike the walls, our breastplates and our shiellds. So do not imitate the Romans who, when the Carthaginians went into battle against them, allowed their cavalry to be terrified by the fearsome sight and sound of elephants.

        In this battle you must stand firm and have no fear, no thought of flight, but be inspired to resist with ever more herculean strength. Animals may run away from animals. But you are men, men of stout heart, and you will hold at bay these dumb brutes, thrusting your spears and swords into them, so that they will know that they are fighting not against their own kind but against the masters of animals.

        You are aware that the impious and infidel enemy has disturbed the peace unjustly. He has violated the oath and treaty that he made with us; he has slaughtered our farmers at harvest time; he has erected a fortress on the Propontis as it were to devour the Christians; he has encircled Galata under a pretence of peace.

        Now he threatens to capture the city of Constantine the Great, your fatherland, the place of ready refuge for all Christians, the guardian of all Greeks, and to profane its holy shrines of God by turning them into stables for fits horses. Oh my lords, my brothers, my sons, the everlasting honour of Christians is in your hands.

        You men of Genoa, men of courage and famous for your infinite victories, you who have always protected this city, your mother, in many a conflict with the Turks, show now your prowess and your aggressive spirit toward them with manly vigour.

        You men of Venice, most valiant heroes, whose swords have many a time made Turkish blood to flow and who in our time have sent so many ships, so many infidel souls to the depths under the command of Loredano, the most excellent captain of our fleet, you who have adorned this city as if it were your own with fine, outstanding men, lift high your spirits now for battle.

        You, my comrades in arms, obey the commands of your leaders in the knowledge that this is the day of your glory — a day on which, if you shed but a drop of blood, you will win for yourselves crowns of martyrdom and eternal fame.

      • Richard says

        Jun 7, 2016 at 7:06 am

        It;s not true that its inhabitants refused to defend it. They defended it bravely including the monks. It fell because of the treachery of Christians. The Christians who fought for the Turks and the Hungarian who left Constantine’s service and constructed for the Turks the biggest cannon ever made which breached the walls of Constantinople. There were a lot of heroes who died for Constantinople that day. It was a tragic loss for the Christian world. They were betrayed by their own, as they are being betrayed today.

      • jo jo says

        Jun 7, 2016 at 6:04 pm

        look when the smoke is cleared putin will be the one who is the knight in shining armor n he will stand tall n this church will in deed be a church again

  20. Champ says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 5:25 pm

    “Turkish gov’t allows Koran recitations in Hagia Sophia and shocks Orthodox Christians,”

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    This is shocking, but not surprising, since it’s part and parcel of the evil Chrislam movement:

    “Shahram Hadian: Chrislam Exposed!”

    • Cecilia Ellis says

      Jun 7, 2016 at 1:20 am

      Champ, thanks for posting this video. It is excellent! Although lacking the scholastic expertise and eloquence inherent in Robert Spencer’s videos, Shahram passionately speaks the truth in a manner that those unfamiliar with Islam might understand. He cites two deceptive claims of Chrislam:

      1. Christianity and Islam have a common word or common ground.
      2. Christianity and Islam worship the same God.

      Those claims have infected Christianity around the globe, including the world-stage effort of Pope Francis to “dialogue” on common ground.

      I had not heard of the 2006 letter, “A Common Ground Between Us and You,” drafted by 138 Muslim scholars and delivered to Christian communities as a result of Pope Benedict’s comments. Imagine the audacity of stating that Christianity owed Islam an apology! Additionally, the Christian response – “Loving God Together: A Christian Response Between Us and You” – from the Yale Center for Faith and Culture in 2008 is equally alarming and heretical.

      This is absolute deception! Christianity has no common ground with Islam, a lie invented specifically to refute Judaism and Christianity. As Islam denies the lineage of Isaac, it denies the Messiah. Islam further denies the divinity of Jesus, His death and Resurrection. As such, there can never be common ground. Those who find it are either deceived or they are themselves deceiving others. They have compromised with evil itself, “the Greatest of Deceivers”.

      As a minor point, I particularly liked Shahram’s statement: “If you find the verse in the Bible that allows us to be politically correct, please e-mail it to me. I haven’t been able to find it.”

      Once again, thank you for posting this video. Watching it was well worth it.

      • Champ says

        Jun 7, 2016 at 1:49 am

        You’re welcome, Cecilia, I’m glad you found it informative; and thank you for sharing your erudite observations. Yes–Shahram Hadian is quite knowledgeable about evil “Chrislam” ..the best I’ve heard on the subject.

      • Plamen says

        Jun 11, 2016 at 10:15 am

        Dear Cecilia Ellis,

        – in 2006, a month after Pope’s address, 38 islam ‘scholars’ addressed him by “Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI”
        http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=7910

        – in 2007, a year from Pope’s speech, 138 ‘scholars’ tried to impress him and all Christian countries’ heads by “A common word between we and you”: http://www.acommonword.com/the-acw-document/

        – there were many responses to them: http://www.acommonword.com/category/site/christian-responses/

        Kind regards!

        • Robert Spencer says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 10:49 am

          These were cynical and deceptive initiatives, not genuine invitations to dialogue, as I explain in detail in my book “Not Peace But A Sword.”

        • Plamen says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 11:03 am

          Dear Robert Spencer,
          My response was to Cecilia Ellis’ “did not heard of the 2006 letter ‘A Common Ground Between Us and You’ by 138 Muslim scholars” by letting know of those two in fact letters.
          No-one contests their substantiality – ‘scholar’ to ‘islam’ is obviously like ‘pork steak’ to ‘muslim’ – all the more they are filled with only abrogatable (and abrogated in regular islam’s practice) verses.
          Best wishes!

        • Cecilia Ellis says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm

          Plamen, thank you for posting those links. Subsequent to viewing the video posted by Champ, I searched online for these letters, found them, and considered them to be a mockery of truth. However, I do appreciate your effort.

        • Cecilia Ellis says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 12:33 pm

          Robert Spencer wrote: “These were cynical and deceptive initiatives, not genuine invitations to dialogue, as I explain in detail in my book ‘Not Peace But A Sword.'”

          Robert, I just went online and ordered your book, “Not Peace But A Sword.” Thank you for providing the title. Can’t wait to get it! ?

        • Plamen says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 12:41 pm

          Cecilia, mockery or not, that is a ‘genuine’ islam reaction that from 2006 on lead not only to much false ado but also to thousands taking part in its ‘protests’ and hundreds added to its executions.
          Thanks!

        • Cecilia Ellis says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 1:15 pm

          Plamen wrote: “Cecilia, mockery or not, that is a ‘genuine’ islam reaction that from 2006 on lead not only to much false ado but also to thousands taking part in its ‘protests’ and hundreds added to its executions.”

          Plamen, I agree. I would add that other demonstrations of “‘genuine’ Islam reaction” have culminated in executions for such things as burning a page of the Qur’an, wasting horse feed, attending or watching a soccer game, being a Christian or a Jew, listening to music, failing to wear a niqab, drawing a picture of Muhammad, or any number of affronts to Muhammad that may have occurred over the past 1400 years. The list goes on, as do the executions.

        • Plamen says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 2:41 pm

          Cecilia, thanks again, do you probably have a profile on LinkedIn?

        • Cecilia Ellis says

          Jun 11, 2016 at 3:05 pm

          Plamen, I do not have a profile on LinkedIn.

  21. EDL says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 7:26 pm

    The Armenian Genocide happened.

  22. David says

    Jun 6, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    The Great Creator GOD looked down upon these great evils perpetrated by all the followers of SATAN!
    ” How much longer will the evil, vile satan worshippers try my patients? ”
    Very soon now, I will be forced to again stretch out my hand and cleanse the Earth of this unspeakable EVIL called muslims!
    They have raped, tortured and murdered the people of God for far too long!

    • Politicallyincorrectistruth says

      Jun 7, 2016 at 7:43 am

      Very funny, thanks

  23. dee says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 12:35 am

    Yeah, right… and Muslim response to a Christian or a Jew praying inside a mosque???? The hypocrisy is overwhelming!

  24. eur says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 3:49 am

    the next stop is…Saint Paul , Rome

  25. خَليفة says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 4:01 am

    One could argue that Muslims “worshipping” in a building which Christians built as a place for worship, and indeed worshipping Chrstian idols.

  26. Keys says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 4:59 am

    Test.

  27. Baucent says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 6:36 am

    It’s an architectural masterpiece, the width of the dome is exceptional and the Turkish engineers who viewed it 900 years after it’s construction were awestruck. They tried to copy it with their Blue mosque but it’s a inferior copy that shows Islamic architects and engineers were less skilled that their Roman/Byzantine counterparts.

  28. Plamen says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    Steven Runciman, “The Fall of Constantinople, 1453” book:
    “They slew everyone that they met in the streets, men, women and children without discrimination.”
    “The blood ran in rivers down the steep streets from the heights of Petra (highest point of Constantinople) towards the Golden Horn (Bosporus beach)…”.

    Recep Erdogan, newest caliph, 29 May 2016, on occasion of 563d Constantinople conquest anniversary:
    “”The conquest is to climb over mountains that the West thought were impassable. The conquest is for a 21-year-old Sultan to bring the millennial Byzantium to its knees. The conquest is the peak of military genius and technology of the time. The conquest is to take root in a continent, which was thought that it would not be possible to be permanent there even if one set foot there. The conquest is to escalate the fire of a civilization, which was savagely put out in Al-Andalus (“islam’s” Spain), on the other side of the continental Europe, in the East again.”
    http://www.tccb.gov.tr/haberler/410/44166/istanbulu-anmadan-tarih-yazmaya-kalkarsaniz-murekkebiniz-kurur.html

  29. mortimer says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    The biggest Orthodox church and the home of Orthodox Christians should be restored to the rightful owners.

  30. Blangwort says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    I hope an earthquake occurs and causes the whole building to tumble down upon those inside it –every last Muslim.

    It would serve them right.

    • gravenimage says

      Jun 7, 2016 at 10:31 pm

      This was Christendom’s greatest cathedral for a thousand years. I don’t want Muslims damaging it any further.

  31. gravenimage says

    Jun 7, 2016 at 10:30 pm

    Turks allow Qur’an recitations inside Hagia Sophia for first time in 81 years
    ………………………….

    And Turkey under Erdogan continues is re-Islamization…

  32. Phaulkon says

    Jun 8, 2016 at 6:05 am

    The Last Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia of 1919…It is commonly believed that the last Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia in Constantinople took place on May 28, 1453. However, the last Divine Liturgy to really take place in Hagia Sophia was on the 19th of January in 1919, which was officiated by Papa Lefteris Noufrakis (1872-1941) from Rethymno, Crete. The story of this historic event is below.

    Once my grandfather told me about a Cretan priest, a true lad, who in January 1919 liturgized under the thousand year old domes of Hagia Sophia!

    He knew him well, because he was a military chaplain of the same Division he was in, the Division that later participated in the Asia Minor Campaign and arrived at the gates of Ankara, and drank water from the Sakarya! But alas! this cool water later turned into a hot fiery river of pain and suffering, that burned the hearts of all Greeks.

    I did not pay much attention to the words of my grandfather at the time. What he told me seemed impossible, and I considered them to be the result of delirium, a remnant of those unbearable days, and the unimaginable pain my grandfather felt when he recalled the past, and heard the words Ionia, Smyrna, Pergamum, Ayvalık, Trebizond, Kerasos, Saggarios, Eskisechir, Afyonkarahisar, The City, Hagia Sophia! These words had a place in my grandfathers mind and heart, which he held most sacred and nostalgic in this life, even more sacred than his children, his grandchildren, his own life!

    Dozens of times I noticed him with my childhood eyes crying – sometimes erupting into sobs and redemptive laments – offering up these holy names which he identified with the timeless history and presence of our Nation on earth. At the time I understood nothing, or almost nothing. Only a vague question dominated my soul from this special stance of my grandfather. Shortly afterwards I realized the crucial impact of these tears, these cries, in my own soul. I understand now, and I will always feel it prevail throughout my being.

    My grandfather certainly was right when he said that in January 1919 Hagia Sophia liturgized! The protagonist of this shocking fact of our national life, which unfortunately many Greeks are ignorant of, was a true lad, a sprout from leventi-generating Crete, whose brave children always were a great presence in the struggles of our Nation, from ancient times (Idomeneus, Nearchus etc.) to our days (Macedonian Struggle, Drisko in Epirus, etc.). We are referring to Papa Lefteris Noufrakis from Alones in Rethymno, who served as a military chaplain in the second Greek Division, one of the two Divisions that participated in the early 1919 “allied” expeditionary force in Ukraine. This Division, on the way to Ukraine, briefly stopped in Constantinople, the City of the dreams of the Greek people, which was then under “allied domination” following the end of World War I.

    A group of Greek officers, led by the brave Cretan, together with the Brigadier Frantzis, Major Liaromatis, Captain Stamatios and Lieutenant Nicholas gazed at the City and Hagia Sophia from the ship, hiding deep in their hearts their great secret, their great decision which they made the previous night, after the proposal and strong insistence of the lion-hearted Cretan Papa Lefteris Noufrakis. They were to disembark in the City and liturgize in Hagia Sophia!

    All of them were skeptical when they heard Papa Lefteris propose this great enterprise. They knew that things were very difficult. Hagia Sophia was still a mosque, and surely some guards would be there, while others would be going to pray, and it wasn’t difficult for it to be filled from one moment to another. And then there were their superiors, who would not be in favor of such an action, and it would cause a storm among the “allies” for such a “provocation”. It would perhaps even create a diplomatic episode that would embarrass the Greek government and Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos. But Papa Lefteris had made his decision, and he was decisive and assertive.

    “If all of you don’t come, I will go by myself! I only want one chanter. You, Constantine (Liaromatis), will you be my chanter?”

    “All right, dear Father,” the Major replied, who also took the same stance, and everything was in order.

    Eventually, all of them went.

    The ship carrying the Division anchored in the open sea, so they boarded a boat and a Romios took them to the City, and they soon landed at the waterfront. Kosmas, the native boatman, tied the boat and led them along the shortest path to Hagia Sophia. The door was open as if it was waiting for them. The Turkish guard went to say something in his own language, but a fierce and decisive look by Brigadier Frantzis put him in his place and left him speechless. All entered with reverence and made the sign of the cross. Papa Lefteris whispered with great emotion: “I will enter into Your house, and I will venerate towards Your Holy Temple with fear….”

    Progressing quickly and without procrastinating, he identified the location of the Sanctuary and the Holy Altar. Finding a small table, he put it in place, he opened his bag, and took out everything needed for the Divine Liturgy. Then he put on his stole and began:

    “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages.”

    “Amen,” responded Major Liaromatis, and the Divine Liturgy at Hagia Sophia began.

    “I hope God makes us worthy to complete this,” everyone thought, crossing themselves with devotion. The officers seemed to have been at a loss, everything happened so suddenly and it was unbelievable.

    The Divine Liturgy proceeded as normal. After 466 entire years Hagia Sophia was liturgizing again! Papa Lefteris continued. Everything was done with sacred propriety, according to the rubrics of the Church. One could hear the “peace be with all,” the “Lord have mercy,” the “O Only-begotten Son and Word of God,” which was written by Justinian himself, who ordered and cared for the building of Hagia Sophia. The Small Entrance followed, then the “To you the Champion Leader,” the Epistle was read by Brigadier Frantzis and the Gospel Reading was done by Papa Lefteris. The duties of the sacristan were performed by Lieutenant Nicholas.

    Meanwhile Hagia Sophia began to be filled with Turks. Papa Noufrakis was not daunted and continued. Others looked bemused at this fearless priest and the Turks, who until that moment were observing with silence, could not believe their eyes, because that which was taking place at that moment was truly unbelievable.

    The Gospel was followed by the Cherubic Hymn by Major Liaromatis, while Papa Lefteris placed the antimension on the table, to do the Proskomidi. The Turks continued to multiply. As time passed it was tough, but also unforgettable and epic. Papa Noufrakis continued. He takes a small Holy Chalice out of his bag, a paten, a knife and a small prosphoron with a small bottle of wine. With sacred emotion and devotion he does the Proskomidi, while Liaromatis continued chanting the Cherubic Hymn. When the Proskomidi was completed, he turned to Lieutenant Nicholas and told him to light a candle so he could follow him during the Great Entrance. The young Lieutenant went ahead and lit the candle, behind him was the priest crying out: “May the Lord God remember all of us….”

    Then the Supplications and the Creed followed, which was said by Frantzis. Meanwhile Hagia Sophia was full of Turks and among them were many Greeks from the City, who happened to be there at the moment the Divine Liturgy was being celebrated, and they followed along with emotion, without daring to externalize their feelings “for fear of the Jews,” that is, the Turks. Only at certain times they could not restrain their tears flowing from their eyes and not betray their care, wiping them away before they became a “fiery” river which they could not hold back.

    The Liturgy meanwhile reached its most sacred point – the Anaphora. With an emotional voice Papa Lefteris said: “Your own of Your own, we offer to You, for all and through all.” All the officers knelt and the voice of Major Liaromatis could be heard chanting: “We sing to You, we bless You, we thank You, Lord, and we pray to You, our God.” After a short while the bloodless sacrifice of our Lord was completed in Hagia Sophia, after 466 entire years! This was followed by the “Axion Estin,” the “Our Father,” and the “With the fear of God, faith and love draw near,” and all the officers approached to commune from the Immaculate Mysteries. Papa Lefteris quickly said the prayers while Liaromatis chanted: “Blessed be the Name of the Lord…,” while the rest of the Holy Communion was consumed. Speaking to Lieutenant Nicholas, he said: “Gather everything quickly and put it in the bag,” then he did the Dismissal!

    The Divine Liturgy in Hagia Sophia was completed. It was the dream of dozens of generations of Greeks, and it had become a reality. Papa Noufrakis and the four officers were ready to leave and return to the ship. Hagia Sophia however was full of Turks, who began to become enraged and aggressive when they realized what happened. The Greeks were in immediate danger. But they did not hesitate, and approached each other, becoming as “one body,” and they proceeded towards the exit.

    The Turks were ready to attack them, when a Turkish official presented himself with others following him, saying: “Let them pass.” He said it with hatred. He wanted to paint his hands with their blood, but at that moment this is how things had to be, and it was not in the interest of their country nor necessary to kill five Roman officers in Hagia Sophia.

    Do not forget that around the City were two embattled Greek Divisions and that Constantinople was essentially under the dominance of the victors of World War I, and this of course did not include the Turks.

    On hearing this the Turks retreated. Papa Noufrakis and the other officers exited Hagia Sophia and headed for the waterfront, where a boat waited for them.

    A husky Turk followed them, and lifting a piece of wood he rushed to hit Papa Noufrakis. He sensed that this priest was the instigator, the creator of this event. The heroic priest bent to avoid being hit, but the Turk managed to hit him on the shoulder. His body bent from the unbearable pain, but he gathered his strength, got up, and continued on his way. Meanwhile Major Liaromatis and Captain Stamatios disarmed the Turk, who was ready to give his most powerful and probably final blow to the priest.

    Finally, they approach the boat. They all enter. Kosmas gathered all the ropes and begins to quickly row. Soon they boarded the Greek warship safe and victorious. Of course there followed a diplomatic incident, and the “allies” strongly protested to Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, who was forced to reprimand Papa Lefteris Noufrakis. But secretly he contacted him and “praised and congratulated the patriot priest, who even for a short time brought Hagia Sophia to life, the most sacred dream of our Nation.”

    In a few lines this was the history of the Divine Liturgy that took place after 466 years in Hagia Sophia by the heroic Papa Lefteris Noufrakis. Certainly most modern Greeks are ignorant of this. The name of the lion-hearted Cretan says nothing to our minds and hearts. But this simple priest from Alones in Rethymno lifted on his shoulders and brought to life, even for a short time, one of the most epic, most holy and most sacred dreams of the Nation.

FacebookYoutubeTwitterLog in

Subscribe to the Jihad Watch Daily Digest

You will receive a daily mailing containing links to the stories posted at Jihad Watch in the last 24 hours.
Enter your email address to subscribe.

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!
If you are forwarding to a friend, please remove the unsubscribe buttons first, as they my accidentally click it.

Subscribe to all Jihad Watch posts

You will receive immediate notification.
Enter your email address to subscribe.
Note: This may be up to 15 emails a day.

Donate to JihadWatch
FrontPage Mag

Search Site

Translate

The Team

Robert Spencer in FrontPageMag
Robert Spencer in PJ Media

Articles at Jihad Watch by
Robert Spencer
Hugh Fitzgerald
Christine Douglass-Williams
Andrew Harrod
Jamie Glazov
Daniel Greenfield

Contact Us

Terror Attacks Since 9/11

Archives

  • 2020
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2019
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2018
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2017
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2016
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2015
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2014
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2013
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2012
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2011
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2010
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2009
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2008
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2007
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2006
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2005
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2004
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • September
    • August
    • July
    • June
    • May
    • April
    • March
    • February
    • January
  • 2003
    • December
    • November
    • October
    • March

All Categories

You Might Like

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Recent Comments

  • Mojdeh on Audio: Robert Spencer on Muslim Brotherhood influence in a Biden/Harris administration
  • Henry Mansfield on Audio: Robert Spencer on Muslim Brotherhood influence in a Biden/Harris administration
  • Crusades Were Right on New study reveals that Muslim religiosity strongly linked to hatred towards the West
  • Naildriver on Uighur leader: ‘We’re actually quite worried’ about what Biden might let China get away with
  • Crusades Were Right on Canadian Mental Health Association studies Muslim women’s mental health due to ‘discrimination’ and ‘hate crimes’

Popular Categories

dhimmitude Sharia Jihad in the U.S ISIS / Islamic State / ISIL Iran Free Speech

Robert Spencer FaceBook Page

Robert Spencer Twitter

Robert Spencer twitter

Robert Spencer YouTube Channel

Books by Robert Spencer

Jihad Watch® is a registered trademark of Robert Spencer in the United States and/or other countries - Site Developed and Managed by Free Speech Defense

Content copyright Jihad Watch, Jihad Watch claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Our mailing address is: David Horowitz Freedom Center, P.O. Box 55089, Sherman Oaks, CA 91499-1964

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.