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Turkish Crowds Protests Pope`s Visit

The streets of Istanbul have filled with demonstrators who are protesting against the Pop`s planned visit to Turkey. Mobs of thousands of Muslims gathered in Istanbul carrying signs chanting "Don`t come Pope" and other such slogans while pictures of Pop Benedict XVI were blurred on a giant screen. Muslims around the world are angry at the pope since he quoted a Christian emperor from the 14th century criticizing the Prophet Muhammad.

The visit scheduled to begin on November 28 is the Pope`s first visit to a Muslim country. A small political group called the "Islamic Felicity Party", a party not represented in the Turkish parliament organized Sunday`s mass protests. The square were the protest was held was adorned with a giant poster of a crusader together with Middle East violence and reads "Who brought evil and inhumanity?"

The Pope in attempt to appease the Turkish public sent out messages of peace and friendship as well as warm words on Turkish culture and history. During the visit he is to attend the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, a very symbolic occasion. Osman Yumakogullari, of the Islamic Felicity Party, told reporters: "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." Yumakogullari was referring to the Pope`s quote of Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire saying Muhammad only brought "evil and inhuman" things. The Pope said that he didn?t feel that way and that it was only a quote yet Muslims around the world want a direct apology.