Philosophy of religion

Dear Pope Francis,

As I as writing these lines, your plane was about to land in Ankara. As an ordinary Turk, and a Muslim, I just wanted to wish you welcome, and share some thoughts about Turkey, Islam, and, if you don't mind, even about your mission.

Around 500 people rallied on Saturday in central Zagreb demanding more secularism and calling on the state to reduce funding to the Church at a time of economic hardship in the 85 per cent Catholic country.

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One of Turkey’s most popular Islamic preachers is Nihat Hatipoğlu, a professor of theology who runs a top-rated TV show. Some of the questions his pious audience asked him during an episode last year included:

One of Turkey’s answers to American “televangelists,” Islamic theologian Nihat Hatipoğlu, initiated a debate last week with his reckless remarks about atheists. Speaking on his popular TV show, he first said: “I do not believe that any atheist is negating God. Those who say so are lying. Because all of them say ‘Allah’ when they are in trouble.”

For those who frequently attend the invitations at the Palais de France, the residence of the French consul general in Istanbul, Bekir bey and his staff are familiar figures. Their attention makes our stay more comfortable each time.

More than 20 years ago, I was antagonizing my secularist friends on the matter of religious freedoms. I was discussing the shortcomings of the Kemalist regime with “the old-fashioned Republicans” in the name of democracy.

Hayrettin Karaman, professor emeritus of Islamic law and columnist for daily Yeni Şafak, is an important figure in Turkey. He is known to be deeply respected by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan and his ideas are known to be widely appreciated by the members of the incumbent Justice and Development Party (AKP).