Tag: Adnan Oktar
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U.S. Embassy in Ankara, synagogue in Istanbul alleged al-Qaida targets
ISTANBUL, Turkey, April 12 (UPI) — The U.S. Embassy in Ankara was targeted to be bombed by an alleged Turkish al-Qaida cell whose members were trained in Afghanistan, Turkish police said.
Police seized nearly 50 pounds of plastic explosives with detonation systems attached, along with 10 rifles and guns, six laptop computers and other evidence, police said.
Twelve people — two Chechens, two Azerbaijanis and eight Turks — were arrested in two raids, police said.
The raids — which occurred in February but were only now reported — occurred in the northwestern city of Tekirdag and Istanbul, police said.
All 12 people were believed to be members of al-Qaida terrorist cells, the Dogan News Agency said.
The U.S. Embassy issued a travel warning at the time but said police had provided no specific threat information about the targets.
It had no immediate comment Friday.
The U.S. Embassy was the target of a suicide bomb attack in February that killed a Turkish security guard and severely injured a local resident. But that attack was attributed to an extreme left-wing organization, not Islamic militants.
The arrested alleged attackers also planned to bomb an Istanbul synagogue and the private Rahmi M. Koc Museum, police said. They additionally intended to attack Turkish TV personality-actor Acun Ilicali and author Adnan Oktar, also known as Harun Yahya, an Islamic creationist who speaks against evolution, the news agency said.
via U.S. Embassy in Ankara, synagogue in Istanbul alleged al-Qaida targets – UPI.com.
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RD.net no longer banned in Turkey!
By RDFRS UK – WWW.RICHARDDAWKINS.NET
Added: Friday, 08 July 2011 at 4:55 PM – An RDFRS Original
We are delighted to announce that, with immediate effect, RichardDawkins.net is no longer banned in Turkey.The ban had been imposed by default when Adnan Oktar aka Harun Yahya complained to a Turkish court that a thread on the site defamed him.
No formal complaint about the comments had ever been received by RD.net, nor were we ever formally notified about a court case against us.
The process of getting the ban lifted has been long and rather arduous, and we would like to express our deep and heartfelt gratitude to a group of Turkish lawyers for their unstinting efforts on our behalf.
We understand it is standard practice in Turkey that all judgements are appealed, and we therefore cannot state with certainty that the judge’s decision will not be overturned on appeal at a later date, although we will of course continue to defend any attempt to do so.
In the meantime, however, a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to our Turkish legal team; and to all our readers in Turkey – WELCOME BACK! TEKRAR MERHABA!
via RD.net no longer banned in Turkey! – RDFRS UK – www.richarddawkins.net – RichardDawkins.net.
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50 “Sour Dictionary” Writers Summoned to Prosecutor’s Office
The Istanbul police called about 50 writers of the “Sour Dictionary” to the prosecutor’s office to give their statement regarding headings that were related to religious topics. This operation came just after the Sour Dictionary announced to have applied a “Hate Speech Control Project”.
Haluk KALAFAT
haluk@bianet.org
Istanbul – BİA News Center
22 June 2011, Wednesday
The police knocked on the doors of 50 authors of the “Sour Dictionary” (‘Ekşi Sözlük’), an online ‘dictionary’ based on user contributions aiming more to entertain its readers rather than giving scientifically correct definitions.
The writers were summoned to the prosecution where they gave their statements before they were released again. Certain headings related to religion were the reason for the interrogation. This operation came just after the Sour Dictionary announced to have applied a “Hate Speech Control Project”.
A Sour Dictionary writer with the nickname “Rapri Sokapri” announced the incident on the website: “Two plainclothes police officers came to my door a short while ago. They said that some things were written from our house about the Quran and Mohammed. They also quoted the nickname. Are they calling Gayrettepe [an Istanbul district] to order? They are going to take me to an interrogation. What is this? A joke?”
Islamic creationist Oktar complained
The details about the interrogation were disclosed by the entry of another Sour Dictionary writer with the nickname “Degisen”. The user wrote, “Today I gave my statement to two officers of the cyber crime unit at Gayrettepe”.
“Yet, I have to correct the disinformation in the heading. I asked the officers and they clearly answered that there was no request for information from the Sour Dictionary. They came upon the ADSL registration. Other information I have: they took the statements of about 50 writers. They split up the group in bundles of 14 writers each. As far as I understood, the complainant is [creationist] Adnan Oktar. The accusation is an article like offending the moral values of the public”.
Degisen continued, “I am happy so send the scanned copy of the statement to anybody who thinks this is a lie.
I want to thank the police officers for their kind and considerate behaviour. I even smoked a cigarette with one of them. He had a nice chat. After all, they are people like you and me.
Edit: Thinking twice of course they might also have taken the IP address from Sour Dictionary. The police actually said the opposite but how do they know the technical side of the issue? In fact, the prosecutor tells them to collect this and that”.
Sour Dictionary writers outraged
One after another Sour Dictionary writer expressed their annoyance about the interrogations on the website under the newly formed rubric “Sour Dictionary gives information about its writers to the police”. The users discussed whether the dictionary forwarded their personal data and if yes, how they should react.
Some of the comments read as follows:
* “Some time ago it was written at the bottom of the page that ‘in case the police would stand on your doorstep just say ‘one second’ and run away through the kitchen window’. We laughed about it. It was made up but this means it became true”.
* “It is clear that these tactics of frightening/intimidation are not/will not be useful in the end. What should be done is maybe to initiate a stance of civil disobedience. What is actually more frightening (confusing!) is that a number of people started to apply auto-censorship. These are the actions we did not want to see on this pitch, it did not suit us”.
* “Whatever, in short I did not like it. This is an interrogation that should be thoroughly investigated. Let’s be alert”.
via English :: 50 “Sour Dictionary” Writers Summoned to Prosecutor’s Office – Bianet.
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Interfaith delegation travels to Istanbul
By JONAH MANDEL
05/04/2011 04:11
Photo by: Courtesy Clergymen to meet with influential Turkish preacher; Rabbi, Catholic priest, Druse kadi, Beduin sheikh will spend 3 days with Adnan Oktar.
An interdenominational delegation from Israel will meet with a prominent Muslim preacher in Istanbul on Wednesday to discuss ways to enhance understanding between the faiths.
A rabbi, a Catholic priest, a Druse kadi and a Beduin sheikh will spend three days with Adnan Oktar, known also as Harun Yahya, a philosopher and theologian with a large following in the Muslim world.
Such encounters have taken place for a few years now, but this will be the second time the delegation will be headed by Ayoub Kara, Deputy Minister for Development of the Negev and Galilee. Kara has advocated the improvement of ties between Jerusalem and Ankara as a vital need for Israel.
The group will also meet with Mufti of Istanbul Prof. Mustafa Cagrici.
“We are trying, along with people of faith, to create a situation of dialogue, and resistance to extreme Islam and terror,” Mendi Safadi, Kara’s chief of staff, said earlier this week.
On the sidelines of the interfaith discussions, Kara will meet with a member of the Syrian opposition, to present him with a list of Jewish holy sites in Syria. Safadi would not disclose the name of the Syrian politician.
When regimes are overturned, he said, there is a risk of Jewish sites being looted and plundered. “This is a request that the Jewish sites be safeguarded by what might become the new regime in Syria,” Safadi said.
One of the delegates, Rabbi Yeshayahu Hollander of Petah Tikva, is an associate justice on the Jerusalem Rabbinic Court for Issues of Non-Jews. Hollander is active in interfaith relations, specifically with Muslims and Christians.
The connection between Adnan Oktar and Hollander, who is a member of the nascent Sanhedrin, began over three years ago when Oktar’s people asked the rabbi to come to Turkey to meet and talk. Hollander, who accepted the invitation, described Oktar as “a man of religion, a philosopher who tries to make the world a better place.” Oktar has an extremely influential television program, broadcasted daily and viewed by millions.
This is Hollander’s seventh visit to Turkey for interfaith dialogue. “If people like Oktar’s broadcast, I will definitely dedicate the time to them to encourage them,” he said, noting that Oktar speaks well of Israel and believes it should belong to the Jewish people.
Hollander was far from being sure that this encounter would set off a change in the attitude of the Muslim world toward the Jews.
“I’m not optimistic, but can’t give up on the chance,” he said. “With the [Muslim] Arabs there is not much leeway, since they have [political] interests at hand, and I don’t expect a breakthrough from them in the initial stage. But here is an opportunity to reach understandings with them through non-Arab Muslims.
If we succeed, there is a chance that [the message of moderate Islam will reach Muslims] in Europe and America, most of whom are emigrants in search of a better life, who do not want to appear to their surroundings as an aggressive group that came to usurp their lands.”
“If non-Arab Muslims are able to show the Europeans that the [extreme Islamic movements] Salafis and Wahabis are practically inventions that developed in the 20th century,” and do not represent Islam as a whole, “there will be a possibility for peace in Europe as well. And if the non- Arab Muslim world makes the strategic decision to live at peace with the Jews, that will undoubtedly influence the Arabs. Especially since the Koran endorses such an option,” Hollander said.
For second-time Beduin delegate Sheikh Atef al-Krenawi, such a meeting is important not only from the perspective of inter-religious dialogue, but also as an opportunity to show the Turkish regime and entire world that Israel is a peace-seeking entity that treats all its citizens well.
As an Israeli citizen, Krenawi feels that it’s his duty to take part in a dialogue that could promote good ties with the Muslim world and promote peace. “This initiative should come from Arab Israelis, who should be encouraged to volunteer for their state. Our religion instructs us to strive for proximity with the Jews,” he said.
He also noted that Jews are mentioned in the Koran as cousins.
“If only moderate Islam would influence the Arab world,” he said. “People from around the Middle East quietly tell me they are envious of life in Israel. But after the [current] revolutions, moderation will prosper. Once true democracy exists, we will begin hearing good news.
“Religious leaders – who have influence over their followers – must lead such dialogue for peace and for the people,” Krenawi said.
While the current state of interfaith relations was not necessarily encouraging, Krenawi said he believed in such efforts and was raising his hands in despair.
“We must continue to reach out our hand,” he said. “Eventually, a hand will be extended back.”
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Jewish Sanhedrin rabbis unite with Turk on common cause
WorldNetDaily Exclusive
TROUBLE IN THE HOLY LAND
What? Muslim leader wants Temple rebuilt
Jewish Sanhedrin rabbis unite with Turk on common causePosted: August 05, 2009, © 2009 WorldNetDaily
With the Middle East still in chaos and rumors of war in the air, the idea of rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple on a foundation occupied and administered by Islamic militants might seem fanciful – even preposterous.
But the author of a new book, “The Islamic Antichrist: The Shocking Truth About the Real Nature of the Beast,” returned from Turkey recently with news that a prominent Islamic teacher and best-selling author and Jewish Sanhedrin rabbis are hoping to do just that.
In a column penned in WND today, author Joel Richardson reveals the historically unprecedented development.
Adnan Oktar, who uses the pen name of Harun Yahya, is a controversial but highly influential Muslim intellectual and author with more than 65 million of his books in circulation worldwide. Oktar recently met with three representatives from the re-established Jewish Sanhedrin, a group of 71 Orthodox rabbis and scholars from Israel, to discuss how religious Muslims, Jews and Christians can work together on the project.
“The objectives of the alliance include waging a joint intellectual and spiritual battle against the worldwide growing tide of irreligiousness, unbelief and immorality,” explains Richardson, who met in Turkey with Oktar. “But even more unusual is their agreement with regard to the need to rebuild the Jewish Temple, a structure that Mr. Oktar refers to as the ‘Masjid (Mosque)’ or the ‘Palace of Solomon.’”
An official statement about the meeting has been published on the Sanhedrin’s website. Concluding the statement is the following call:
“Out of a sense of collective responsibility for world peace and for all humanity we have found it timely to call to the World and exclaim that there is a way out for all peoples. It is etched in a call to all humanity: We are all the sons of one father, the descendants of Adam, and all humanity is but a single family. Peace among Nations will be achieved through building the House of G-d, where all peoples will serve as foreseen by King Solomon in his prayers at the dedication of the First Holy Temple. Come let us love and respect one another, and love and honor and hold our heavenly Father in awe. Let us establish a house of prayer in His name in order to worship and serve Him together, for the sake of His great compassion. He surely does not want the blood of His creations spilled, but prefers love and peace among all mankind. We pray to the Almighty Creator, that you harken to our Call. Together – each according to his or her ability – we shall work towards the building of the House of Prayer for All Nations on the Temple Mount in peace and mutual understanding.”
Oktar explained his vision for the rebuilding of Solomon’s Temple to Richardson:
“The Palace of Solomon is a historically important palace and rebuilding it would be a very wonderful thing. It is something that any Jew, a Christian or a Muslim should welcome with enthusiasm. Every Muslim, every believer will want to return to those days, to experience those days again and, albeit partially, to bring the beauty of those days back to life.”
Joel Richardson and Adnan Oktar meet together in Istanbul July 21, 2009 Oktar added that the Temple of Solomon “will be rebuilt and all believers will worship there in tranquility.” During his meeting with the Sanhedrin Rabbis, Oktar expressed his belief that the Temple could be rebuilt in one year:
“It could be done in a year at most. It could be built to the same perfection and beauty. The Torah says it was built in 13 years, if I remember correctly. It could be rebuilt in a year in its perfect form.”
Richardson later met with Rabbi Abrahamson and Rabbi Hollander, two of the Sanhedrin representatives who conferred with Oktar. Regarding the rebuilding of the Temple, Rabbi Hollander explained, “The building of the Temple is one of the stages in the Messianic process.” But another possibility that has been presented is that the Dome of the Rock that sits so prominently on the Temple Mount be used as “a place prayer for all nations.”
Do you prefer reading e-books? “The Islamic Antichrist” is also available in electronic form at reduced price through Scribd.
“This should be fairly simple,” explained Rabbi Hollander. “It is said that the structure of the Dome in Haram E-Sharrif (the Temple Mount) was originally meant by (Caliph) Omar to be a House of Prayer for Jews, and the Al-Aqsa for Muslims.”
However, he also explained that religious Jews would not be able to enter the Dome of the Rock unless it had first been ritually cleansed according to Jewish halakhic regulations.
This is not the only similar call to rebuild the Jewish Temple, points out Richardson. Yoav Frankel is an Orthodox Jew who has been deeply involved in interfaith dialogue with Muslims and also envisions a shared Temple Mount. The Interfaith Encounter Association is working on a project called “God’s Holy Mountain.” It sees the day when the rebuilt Jewish Temple will exist side by side with the Dome of the Rock.
Richardson sees such plans tying in to Barack Obama’s calls for internationalizing the city of Jerusalem.
A recent poll showed nearly two-thirds of Israelis back the idea of rebuilding the Temple.
“Meanwhile, the work of the Temple Institute, a group that has openly dedicated itself for years to rebuilding the Jewish Temple goes on,” writes Richardson.
It has already created many of the most significant priestly utensils and pieces of furniture necessary for the Temple once it is ready.
“The suggestion of rebuilding the Jewish Temple is deeply significant to Christians, particularly those who are students of Bible prophecy,” explains Richardson. “According to the Bible, an impostor messiah known as the Antichrist will someday invade the land of Israel and ‘set himself up’ in the ‘God’s Temple.’”
Richardson’s book focuses on the striking parallels between the Bible’s prophecies about the coming messiah and Islam’s traditions regarding the one called “the Mahdi” – Islam’s primary messiah figure, who will one day invade the land of Israel and establish his seat of authority on the Temple Mount.
Richardson’s book stands in stark contrast to most other popular prophecy books of the last 40 years.
The student of Islam and the Middle East says that after decades of reading popular prophecy books and even best-selling fiction like the “Left Behind” series, millions of evangelical Christians around the world are expecting the Antichrist to emerge from a revived Roman Empire, which many have assumed is associated with the Roman Catholic Church and the European Union.
Not so, argues Richardson. His book makes the case that the biblical Antichrist is one and the same as the Quran’s Muslim Mahdi.
“The Islamic Antichrist” is almost certain to be greeted in the Muslim world with the same enthusiasm as Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses.” The author, Joel Richardson, is prepared. He has written the book under a pseudonym to protect himself and his family.
“The Bible abounds with proofs that the Antichrist’s empire will consist only of nations that are, today, Islamic,” says Richardson. “Despite the numerous prevailing arguments for the emergence of a revived European Roman empire as the Antichrist’s power base, the specific nations the Bible identifies as comprising his empire are today all Muslim.”
Richardson believes the key error of many previous prophecy scholars involves the misinterpretation of a prediction by Daniel to Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel describes the rise and fall of empires of the future, leading to the endtimes. Western Christians have viewed one of those empires as Rome, when, claims Richardson, Rome never actually conquered Babylon and was thus disqualified as a possibility.
It had to be another empire that rose and fell and rose again that would lead to the rule by this “man of sin,” described in the Bible. That empire, he says, is the Islamic Empire, which did conquer Babylon and, in fact, rules over it even today.
Many evangelical Christians believe the Bible predicts a charismatic ruler, the Antichrist, will arise in the last days, before the return of Jesus. The Quran also predicts that a man, called the Mahdi, will rise up to lead the nations, pledging to usher in an era of peace. Richardson makes the case these two men are, in fact, one in the same.
His book was an instant best-seller on the Amazon charts when it debuted Tuesday. It remains No. 1 in two religion categories.
Source: www.wnd.com, August 05, 2009
