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Turkish protests at Pope's visit Turkish protests at Pope's visit
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of Muslims are holding a protest in Istanbul against the Pope's forthcoming visit to Turkey. Thousands of Muslims have taken part in a protest in Istanbul against the Pope's forthcoming visit to Turkey.
Crowds have been booing - and shouting slogans such as "Don't come Pope" - as pictures of Benedict XVI have been shown on a giant screen. The crowds booed - and shouted slogans such as "Don't come Pope" - as pictures of Benedict XVI were shown on a giant screen in a square in the city suburbs.
The Pope sparked outrage across the Muslim world in September, when he quoted a 14th-Century Christian emperor who criticised the Prophet Muhammad.The Pope sparked outrage across the Muslim world in September, when he quoted a 14th-Century Christian emperor who criticised the Prophet Muhammad.
His visit, which begins on Tuesday, will be his first to a Muslim country.His visit, which begins on Tuesday, will be his first to a Muslim country.
Sunday's protest is being organised by the Islamic Felicity Party, a small group that is not represented in the Turkish parliament. Sunday's protest was organised by the Islamic Felicity Party, a small group that is not represented in the Turkish parliament.
A huge poster on the square shows pictures of a crusader and of violence in the Middle East. A huge poster on the square showed pictures of a crusader and of violence in the Middle East.
"Who brought evil and inhumanity?" the poster reads. "Who brought evil and inhumanity?" the poster asked, addressing the Pope. "Now don't come here, unless you apologise."
Symbol Police said more than 25,000 protesters had joined the demonstration, which was monitored by hundreds of security officers, including riot police.
In Rome, the Pope sent a greeting to the Turkish people in which he offers sincere friendship and praises Turkish history and culture. Symbolic visit
He is due to visit Istanbul's Blue Mosque, in what correspondents describe as a highly symbolic occasion. In Rome, the Pope sent a greeting to the Turkish people in which he offered sincere friendship and praised Turkish history and culture.
Before the protests a senior Felicity Party official, Osman Yumakogullari, told AFP news agency: We hope this visit will help eliminate misunderstandings between Muslims and Christians Abdullah GulTurkey's foreign minister He is due to visit Istanbul's Blue Mosque, in what correspondents say will be a highly symbolic occasion. It will be his first visit to a mosque since becoming pontiff in 2005.
"We have infinite respect for all religions and their representatives, but we cannot remain silent in the face of declarations that go against our faith." While in Turkey, the Pope will meet the country's small Catholic community, as well as Orthodox Christians and Muslim clerics.
Speaking at a news conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul tried to play down the controversy.
"We hope this visit will help eliminate misunderstandings between Muslims and Christians," Mr Gul said. "The Pope's message will be very important."
Before the protests, a senior Felicity Party official, Osman Yumakogullari, told AFP news agency: "We have infinite respect for all religions and their representatives, but we cannot remain silent in the face of declarations that go against our faith."
In his September speech, the Pope quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, who said Muhammad had brought only "evil and inhuman" things.In his September speech, the Pope quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire, who said Muhammad had brought only "evil and inhuman" things.
The Pope stressed that these were not his own words and later expressed regret for any offence his words caused.The Pope stressed that these were not his own words and later expressed regret for any offence his words caused.
However many Muslim leaders have been demanding an unequivocal apology.However many Muslim leaders have been demanding an unequivocal apology.