|
THE OTTOMAN CITADEL BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on the destruction of Ottoman architectural
works throughout the world. A summary of his column is as follows: "Over
nine-tenths of Ottoman architectural work in the Balkans has already been
destroyed. The remaining ones in Bosnia-Herzegovina were ruined by savage
murderers who bombed them systematically. Last year, Afghanistan's Taliban
destroyed gigantic Buddha monuments that had been protected by their
Muslim ancestors. This led to the fury of a billion Buddhists and
countless admirers of Buddha. This action was a smear against all Muslims.
A few days ago, a follower of bin Ladin who calls himself a Muslim
threatened India by saying that he would put a bomb in the Taj Mahal. This
mentality does not view Taj Mahal as the pearl of Islamic civilization and
a highwater mark in aestheticism. Wahhabi gangs have been unable to erase
all Ottoman architectural works of art from the face of earth by
destroying them but not through lack of trying .A few days ago, they
destroyed the Otoman Citadel in Mekke through setting off TNT. They will
build a hotel in its place. This enmity against the Ottoman legacy, is the
classic demonstration of animosity towards the Turks. We denounce all
those who are trying to insult our fathers and grandfathers. It is our
duty to protect and repair the Hittite, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine
works remaining on our soil with the utmost care. Fanaticism is evil no
matter where it shows it face. Therefore, there is no difference between
someone threatening the Taj Mahal, planning action against Hagia Sophia,
destroying the Ottoman Citadel or firing mortars at the Mostar bridge. The
people of the 21st century should not fall into these traps."
SAUDI ARABIA AND THE ECYAD CASTLE BY OKTAY EKSI (HURRIYET)
Columnist Oktay Eksi writes on the demolition of the Ecyad Castle in Saudi
Arabia. A summary of his column is as follows: "It has been learned that
the Ecyad Castle, a piece of both Ottoman and Saudi Arabian history, has
been demolished under the orders of Saudi King Fahd. It remains to be seen
if the revenues of the hotel to be built in its place will be used to help
cover the expenses of Harem-i Sherif as claimed or rather fill the purse
of a prince. In either case, the Ecyad castle built by the Ottomans in
1780 to protect the sacred assets of the Islamic world will be forgotten.
The Saudi leaders aren't short on historical awareness, but we can add
that they do lack national honor. We know this is the case because they
have made a house that the British spy Thomas Edward Lawrence once stayed
in into a museum. It is true that Lawrence provoked them to rebel against
the Ottomans, but he also saw them as tools of the British. You cannot
explain to them the importance of the Ecyad Castle. Therefore, there is no
use in talking the issue over with the Saudis, especially when the castle
is already demolished. The important thing is to take the matter to
international platforms, and organize an international reaction similar to
the one shown when the Taliban destroyed the great Buddha monument in
Afghanistan. It cannot be said that we are seriously protecting our
historical values. Our behavior in protecting other cultural legacies
within our borders is not enlightened either. However, Turkey recognizes
these assets today and probably it must teach this to the Saudis."
TURKEY LOOKS TO PROTEST SAUDI CASTLE DEMOLITION
Turkey is seeking ways to protest Saudi Arabia's decision last week to
demolish the 220-year-old al-Ajyad fortress to make way for a $533 million
project to house pilgrims to Mecca. Democratic Left Party (DSP) Deputy
Ertugrul Kumcuoglu has presented a proposal to the Chairmanship of
Parliament calling for a boycott on travel to Saudi Arabia. The proposal
suggests the cancellation of pilgrimage visits to Saudi Arabia this year.
The Parliament denounced Saudi Arabia's demolition of the historic Ottoman
castle in its Plenary Session yesterday. Acting Turkish Parliament Speaker
Murat Sokmenoglu said: "One Muslim country's destruction of another Muslim
country's historic heritage constitutes sinful behavior which is in breach
of Islam's moral values and religious brotherhood." The Saudi government
has rejected Turkish protests over the demolition of the castle in the
city of Mecca. A high-level Saudi Foreign Ministry official was quoted by
the daily Okaz as saying that Saudi Arabia was exercising its sovereignty,
and that no one had the right to interfere in what comes under the state's
authority. /Cumhuriyet/
CEM: "THE SAUDI GOVERNMENT BROKE ITS PROMISE"
Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem stated yesterday that although Turkey
had done its utmost to prevent the demolition of the historic Ottoman
fortress in Mecca, Saudi Arabia paid no heed to Turkey's concerns.
"Despite all our efforts, the Saudi administration broke its promise to
protect historic places," said Cem. "We will always be against one
country's destruction of another country's historic heritage. Saudi Arabia
should be ashamed of this act of destruction, and we won't let the
world
forget it." /Cumhuriyet/ Now, because of the destruction of the Ecyad
Castle, the only
place you will be able to see it is in textbooks as part of
university
degree online or other
classrooms.
|
