Madam, - I hope the visit of Pope Benedict to Turkey will prove a watershed in relations between the Catholic Church, the Byzantine church and Islam. It is a pity that the pope's opposition to the continuing occupation of Iraq by the Bush administration has been overshadowed by his Regensberg address which caused such offence in the Islamic world. The Catholic Church has more in common with true Islam than with the born-again, neo-conservative movement whose members dominate the Bush administration.
This is an historic opportunity for the papacy to end its split with the Byzantine church and to dispel once and for all the so-called "clash of civilisations". - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN BUTLER, Malahide, Co Dublin.
Madam, Allow me to express my dismay at the article by Sarah McDonald, editor of The Word magazine (Rite and Reason, November 27th). Contrary to her claims, there is no discrimination in Turkey against non-Muslim minorities. Turkey's non-Muslim minorities, including Christians, are equal citizens of the country benefiting from the same rights as the Muslim majority. It is also unfair to state that Turkey is far behind European standards of human rights. Indeed, as an EU candidate country, Turkey provides strong guarantees for human rights. A closer look at Turkey's reform process will substantiate this.
The article also draws attention to the loss of property by charitable foundations (vakýflar) to the state in the past, but makes no mention of recent positive developments and the rights extended accordingly. A new law passed by parliament gives charitable foundations freedom to acquire new property, to establish companies and build partnership relations with companies. They can also apply for restitution of property.
I also would like to point out that, due to our secular system, there are no religious higher education institutions independent of universities in Turkey, either for Muslims or Christians.
Highlighting allegations of the so-called Armenian genocide in an article about the Pope's visit to Turkey is quite irrelevant. The writer also makes no mention of the many historians who dispute the allegations of genocide. The Turkish prime minister's proposal to his Armenian counterpart to form a joint commission composed of academics and historians from both sides to investigate such claims is on the table.
Turkey pays the utmost attention and respect to the cultural legacy of all the religions and ethnic groups settled within its borders. Work is ongoing to protect and renovate Armenian historic monuments. There have been archaeological excavations and renovations at the Ani Ruins in the province of Kars and at the Akdamar Church on the Akdamar Island in Lake Van. - Yours, etc,
GÜLSEREN ÇELÝK, First Counsellor, Turkish Embassy, Dublin.