Ankara (AsiaNews) – The Nuncio of Ankara, Edmond Farhat, supports the presence of Pope Benedict XVI in Turkey for an international symposium entitled "Meeting of civilisations", which will be held from 25 to 30 September in Antioch in the region of Hatay. The meeting is promoted by the Prefect

Abdulkadir Sari, together with the mayor of Antioch and Muslim representatives from civil and religious spheres. The initiative aims to boost peace and dialogue between civilizations and religions, possible only through reciprocal knowledge and respect. At least 170 personalities from around the world have been invited to the symposium.

The region of Hatay – of which Antioch is the capital city – reaches the extreme south of Turkey up to the border with Syria (to which it belonged until 1939). The zone is famous because the three monotheistic religions (Islam, Christianity and Judaism) coexist peacefully there, so much so that it is a UNSECO candidate as a "Region of dialogue".

Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan – who belongs to the Turkish Islamic Party (AKP) – has backed the initiative with satisfaction, claiming that the region of Hatay is "an important example" to launch a positive message to Europe. "All efforts in this direction should be encouraged and emulated," he said.

But not all share Premier Erdogan's view, even within his own party.

Some AKP MPs who represent Hatay have tried to create obstacles in the way of the initiative and to portray in a bad light by making false accusations of proselytism.

The news soon hit the front pages of the national daily Milliyet, with a libellous accusation from Fuat Gecen: "Hatay is being Vaticanised". Yes, according to this Muslim politician, the use of the word "peace" cloaks the intention of "vaticanising" people: "They say peace, dialogue, but the intention is to damage us," he said, reiterating the usual refrain: "The Church helps the poor, gives money to needy students so that they will change religion. Conversions are increasing with each passing day." He said he hoped serious measures would be taken against such "missionary" actions.

The rejoinder was swift, not so much from Christians but from Turkish politicians and personalities who do not want to mix ideologies and religions.

Mehmet Soydan, also a regional MP of AKP, silenced his colleague, saying that all were first of all allowed to act and to live according to their own faith, in respect and esteem of others. Further, he said, those who had something to say about the Church and its expansion should first concern themselves with learning about the behavior of members of their own religion and helping to improve true knowledge and authentic study of the Koran. All should devote themselves to constructing peace and to living in peace rather than making war. "In Europe," Soydan told the daily, "Muslim Turks enjoy freedom to profess their faith, it should never be that we ourselves ban others from practicing their faith, and anyhow the three monotheistic religions have coexisted in our country since early times."

Ismail Soylu, another Muslim MP of Hatay, was of the same view. He said: "Jew, Christian, Muslim, whatever, the important thing is that each person is first of all regarded as a human being. Besides, to say that in Hatay Muslims are made into Christians is a big lie. It's not true: each person is simply invited to live according to his faith and in mutual respect."

And this is precisely the aim of the inter-religious symposium of Antioch, desired and planned by Muslims for the first time ever.