News:

The Italian Alitalia charter plane carrying the Pope, the spiritual leader of the Catholic world, and his accompanying delegation arrived at 12.50 a.m. at Ankara Esenboga Airport. Pope Francis arrived at the Presidential Palace. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met the Pope at the door. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pope Francis had their meeting in the Presidential Palace. In his speech, criticizing the West with regards to Syria and Palestine, Erdogan said the following: "We held a very productive meeting. There is hardly any issue we have different views on. Our view on terror, and fight against terror is the same. Our view on violence, and on the sovereignty of money is the same. I really consider the visit of our honourable guest to Turkey as very important. I believe it is a very important step in contributing to increasing the hopes of peace in our region and across the world. I believe that the messages that will be given from Turkey today, will not only reach Turkey and the Vatican, but the whole Muslim world and the whole christian world, and will find an echo that will increase the peace prospects. This picture that comes into existence in Ankara today, is undoubtedly a picture of hope for the world." (http://wap.ntvmsnbc.com/Haber/Goster/25552965)

Comment:

That the Western and US media and international community had presented Turkey with regards to the recent events in Syria and Iraq in association with IS and as if supporting jihadist Selefi groups; have played an active role in inviting the pontiff to Turkey. Additionally presenting especially President Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as if they would have turned their backs to the European Union and Western countries, were effective on this visit. For this reason Turkey wanted to break this perception and demonstrate that its relations to the West are still maintained, that it is still in line with the West with regards to the interfaith dialogue and the civilizations alliance issues, and that it declared jihadist groups as terrorist groups just like the US and the West. In short, Turkey virtually has planned and implemented such a visit in order to endear itself to the West.

However, as a blessing of Allah (swt), this visit has unveiled President Erdogan's hypocrisy in a clear and distinct manner. Just two days before the Pope's visit, President Erdogan made the following remarks at a meeting: "Foreigners love the oil, gold and diamonds of the Islamic world. They love the cheap labor, the conflicts, fights, and disputes among them. Believe me, they do not like us. They love seeing our children die. How much longer will we stand that fact?" Only two days later; Erdogan who threw around with those words showered praise on this man who is the successor of the Pope who bathed the Islamic lands in blood through his crusaders; and installed holiness on him.

The dimension of the betrayel in his statements after the meeting with the Pope of having the same thoughts on the fight against terror and many other subjects, is hardly to explain. The same Erdogan, who complained about the West and the Western colonialism while looking straight into the eyes of the people a few days ago, is now speaking highly of the Pope. He expressly emphasizes that there are no differences in any issue between him and the Pope. Since when are the leaders of the Muslim countries seeking to design the jihadist groups which they consider as "Islamist terrorism"? Demanding a solution for the problems on the soils of Syria and Iraq and alike, is testifying incompetence and improvidence. Embracing and calling one a fellow, whom you called an enemy two days ago; is the clear evidence of hypocrisy.

Written for the Central Media Offic of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Mahmut KAR