Archbishop Demetrios: ‘Hagia Sophia Must Not Become a Mosque’

"The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) handed US Congress a letter signed by more than 25,000 Greek citizens of the USA, asking the prevention of the convert of Hagia Sophia to a Muslim mosque."

AXIOS Archbishop Demetrios and our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters! May I respectfully urge all our Orthodox hierarchs in the Americas to express their concern over this move born out of Islamic supremacism and cultural jihad.

This warning and call to petition our government should be proclaimed from the amvon in all Orthodox churches in North America — whether Greek, Russian, OCA, Serbian — as this affects us all. We are witnessing throughout the Middle East and Asia Minor a concerted Islamic effort to eradicate all traces of Christian history, culture, faith, and of Christians themselves. Let us stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters suffering under this new Muslim persecution.

As Abp. Demetrios is quoted below:

[Converting Hagia Sophia from a museum to a functioning mosque] might be interpreted as an expression of intensification of state Islamisation policies causing an elimination of Christianity from its 2000-year presence in its lands of origin.

Greek Archbishop of America: ‘Hagia Sophia Must Not Become a Mosque’
by Abed Alloush, Greek Reporter via OCP Media — 12/21/2013

Archbishop of America, Demetrios, expressed his deep concern over the statements of turning Hagia Sophia of Istanbul into a Muslim mosque.

In a related announcement of the archdiocese, “His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, expressed his grave concern over current rhetoric by some Turkish state officials regarding the intention to convert the historic Hagia Sophia (the magnificent 6th-century Orthodox Christian Cathedral of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) from a museum to a functioning mosque. Such a step might be interpreted as an expression of intensification of state Islamisation policies causing an elimination of Christianity from its 2000-year presence in its lands of origin.”

Hagia Sophia’s significance as a religious site and globally recognized symbol of intercultural respect and sacred beauty is reflected in the 1985 UNESCO designation of Hagia Sophia as a world heritage site. The Archbishop stated, “If any shift should occur from the current use of Hagia Sophia as a museum, then the Turkish government should allow it to operate as originally intended and as it functioned for almost 1000 years, as a Christian Cathedral and not as a mosque.”

A Tale of Two Songwriters: Cat Stevens, "Turn to Allah," and Dan Fogelberg's Christ-Centered Christmas Album

Daniel Grayling Fogelberg
1951-2007

The 'Peace Train' songwriter endorsed a death fatwa on Salman Rushdie, and writes of "victory over the kuffar,"  whereas Dan Fogelberg creates a deeply reverent, traditionalist Christmas recording, including original songs praising "Christ the King."

Robert Spencer has an extensive exposé over at Jihad Watch on the artist formerly known as 'Cat Stevens'. After converting to Islam, Cat Stevens changed his name to 'Yusuf Islam', and in addition to adopting a new moniker, he seems to have adopted many of the darker, more odious aspects of his new religion.

Following Mr. Spencer's piece, I am appending a brief essay of mine about Dan Fogelberg's 1999 CD, The First Christmas Morning, a charming, traditional Christmas album, which openly praises the Nativity of Jesus Christ, God incarnate. The contrast between these two songwriters/recording artists couldn't be more stark.

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) named to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

by Robert Spencer, Jihad Watch — 12/17/2013

Funny how they never mention "Yusuf Islam" in this article [USA Today on the R&R HOF Inductees, see below]. I do hope that at the ceremony Yusuf will play the nasheed seen here. A nasheed is a song praising Allah or Islam in some way. Nasheeds are usually sung a cappella or with percussion accompaniment only, and according to most Islamic authorities they're the only kind of music allowed under Islamic law. At minute 2:02, Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens, sings:

What are you saying?
What are you saying?
I'm praying to Allah
To give us victory
Over the kuffar.

"I'm praying to Allah to give us victory over the kuffar" (unbelievers)? When have you ever heard a Jew or a Christian praying for victory over the unbelievers?

Christians persecuted by Islamists, says Prince Charles

BBC via Pravoslavie — 12/18/2013

Christians in parts of the Middle East are being deliberately targeted by Islamist militants in a campaign of persecution, Prince Charles has said.

The Prince of Wales made his comments after visiting the British branches of churches based in the region.

The prince heard accounts of Christians being murdered and families forced from their homes.

The First Ever Orthodox Church building in Pakistan Completed

OCP Media Exclusive — 12/20/2013

 Visit OMP website...

Pakistan: The Orthodox Mission have completed the construction of  first ever Church building in Pakistan. It is a great dream come true for the local Orthodox community in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Leadership of Fr John Tanveer

An outstanding priest and a community leader, Fr John Tanveer has toiled  continuously to built a church building for the Orthodox Christians in Pakistan. He has provided incredible spiritual and pastoral care to the growing Orthodox faithful in the country.

With the support of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and contributions of the local Orthodox faithful, Fr John succeeded to  built a beautiful Orthodox Temple for serving Divine Liturgy and taking care of various spiritual needs.

OMP

The Orthodox Mission in Pakistan is the Canonical Orthodox Church in Pakistan. The Orthodox Mission in Pakistan (OMP) was officially established in 2005  under Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the Omophorion of Metropolitan Constantinos of Singapore and South Asia.  Currently there is one Orthodox priest in all of Pakistan, Fr. John Tanveer, and over 400 faithful.

Apart form the Greek Orthodox Church, Pakistan also have  Orthodox Coptic and Russian Orthodox missions with growing faithful.

More photos at OCP News Service

U.S. Support for Brotherhood Drives Arab World to Russia

Russia may be able to bring stability to the region, as well as shut down the extremist Muslims waging genocide and religious cleansing against Christians.  U.S. policy, especially under Obama, is extremely dangerous and destabilizing to the Middle East. As the Russian deputy PM put it this past Summer, "The West behaves in the Islamic world like a monkey with a grenade." 


U.S. Support for Brotherhood Drives Arab World to Russia
News Analysis by Ryan Mauro — The Clarion Project — 12/18/2013

"Russia is now in an ideal position where its friendship is craved by both sides in the Middle Eastern power struggle. Putin is the one with the options.  He can pick the Iranian/Turkish side, pick the Saudi/Egyptian side, or play them against each other to his benefit."

Prince Bandar bin Sultan (L), Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council, shakes hands with Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow (Photo: © Reuters)

U.S. support for the Muslim Brotherhood and the nuclear deal with Iran is propelling the Arab world into the arms of Russia. The Egyptian government, formerly a U.S. ally, willbuy $2 billion in arms from Russia, signaling a strategic realignment in the Middle East that leaves Putin in control.

Egypt’s open embrace of Russia started immediately after the Obama Administration suspended some military aid to the Egyptian government in response to the overthrow of President Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. While American aid continued unabated after the Islamists took over, it was cut after they were overthrown.

Support for America and President Obama in particular collapsed in Egypt in response. Only a single percent of Egyptians have confidence in the U.S. and three percent have confidence in Obama. The U.S. support for the Brotherhood has made it a casualty of the regional backlash against the Muslim Brotherhood.

Saudi Arabia is embarking on a similar course. Saudi officials now openly talk to reporters about how their country will be more independent in reaction to U.S. policy. Reports about the acquisition of Pakistani nuclear weapons are met with non-denials. The Saudis offered Russia a strategic alliance and major oil partnership if Putin abandons the Assad regime.

At least 205 Christians Killed by Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State, Nigeria

JOS, Nigeria (Morning Star News) – Reports of Christians attacked in central and northern Nigeria draw more attention, but in more southerly Benue state Islamic extremists killed at least 205 Christians in the last six months alone, sources said.

In the southeastern part of Nigeria’s middle belt, Benue state’s Agatu Local Government Area saw deadly attacks on Christian farmers by Muslim, ethnic Fulani herdsmen from May through November that displaced an estimated 10,000 people, Christian leaders said.

As in attacks in Plateau state, several of the assailants appeared to be mercenaries from outside the area rather than herdsmen, and locals questioned how the Fulani became so heavily armed. In some of the attacks a herdsmen spokesman alleged stolen cattle as the reason for the bloodshed, but frequently the Nigerian press asserted that motives for the attacks were unknown.

Christian leaders, however, said they had no doubt the Muslim assailants aimed to demoralize and destroy Christians.

“These attacks on Christian members of our churches have disrupted church activities, as Christians can no longer worship together in their congregations,” the Rev. David Bello, bishop of the Anglican diocese of Otukpo, told Morning Star News.

The Rev. Michael Apochi, Roman Catholic bishop of Otukpo Diocese, added that attacks by Muslim Fulani gunmen have devastated Christian communities.

“Life has become unbearable for our church members who have survived these attacks, and they are making worship services impossible,” Apochi told Morning Star News by phone.

The two Christian leaders called on the Nigerian government to urgently take measures to curb unprovoked attacks on Christians in rural areas of the state.

Negotiations for the Release of Greek Orthodox Nuns in Syria

Continue to pray for Mother Abbess Pelagia and her sisters!

Greek Reporter via Pravmir — 12/17/2013

The nuns on video after their capture. Notice that Mother
Pelagia was forced to remove her cross by the jihadis.

According to some sources, the Syrian Government is trying to negotiate the release of the twelve Greek Orthodox nuns who were captured earlier this month from an Orthodox convent north of Damascus, by Syrian rebels. In exchange for their freedom, the rebels demanded that the Syrian government release a hundred imprisoned female activists as well as the imprisoned Saudi Arabian nationals who were captured while fighting for the opposition.

As the three-year-old civil war in Syria continues, reports of local ceasefires and other short-term deals become more and more common. However, negotiations that would lead to the exchange of prisoners appear to be pretty rare. A representative of the al-Habib al-Moustafa rebel brigade stated that government officials had declined any proposition for the exchange of prisoners. According to him, there is a mediator contacting both sides. He also underlined that his group is not involved in the negotiations in any way.

Two activists mentioned that negotiations began right after the seizure of the nuns from their convent of St. Thecla in the village of Maloula. Another three women were also seized from the convent’s orphanage. The incident had taken place on December 6, when rebels overran the area.

A few days after they were captured, the women appeared in a video confirming they were alive and well.

No Opposition between Orthodoxy and Islam?

Echoes of Muslim 'A Common Word' initiative promoted at International Forum on Coexistence in Russia.

by Ralph H. Sidway

During an international forum on coexistence being conducted in Russia, a Muslim speaker made these assertions:

There is no opposition between Orthodoxy and Islam. We meet and find common ground. It is another matter that conveying this picture to the masses is a matter of great difficulty – as for why, one needs to ask the media. 

Muslims are actively in need, through preachers and teachers, to hear an assessment of social events and to understand how to relate to them. But today many Muslims remain left to their own resources and as a result ultimately fall prey to extremist preachers... 

Not so; it is false to say that Muslims are "left to their own resources" and that is why they "fall prey to extremist preachers." In the U.S., 80% of mosques preach violent jihad and replacing the Constitution with sharia; in Europe 75% believe in only one interpretation of the Qur'an, 65% think sharia supersedes secular law, and a new Pew Forum poll of 11 Muslim nations found strong support for terrorism and suicide bombings. The Mufti's statement above is self-contradictory, and flies in face of the fact that the vast majority of Muslim mosques and preachers teach jihad and Islamic supremacism, which is rooted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of Muhammad.

Along with the administration of Moscow, one needs to think about transforming the program of constructing 200 Orthodox churches into a collaborative program pertaining to other religious confessions. (Rushan Abbyasov, Deputy Chairman of Council of Muftis in Russia.)

This specific reference is clearly an attempt to blunt or reverse the resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has experienced a resurrection since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the ending of seven decades of open persecution of Christianity by the militant atheists, and has embarked on a project to build 200 new churches over the next few years.

_______

Regarding Mufti Rushan's statement — "There is no opposition between Orthodoxy and Islam" — and the Muslim approach to interfaith dialogue to which it belongs, it is very similar to and may be a direct offshoot of the 2007 Muslim initiative, 'A Common Word Between Us and You'.

'A Common Word' was the open letter to global Christian leaders sent by 138 Muslim clerics and scholars. It sets the same reassuring tone as Mufti Rushan's statement, asserting the need to find "common ground." But when analyzed, we find 'A Common Word' is instead a subtle work of Islamic dawah, or proselytizing, calling on Christians to embrace such key Islamic doctrines as tawhid, the absolute oneness of God, which, when followed to any degree, demands the rejection of foundational Christian dogma concerning the Holy Trinity, the Divine-Human nature of Jesus Christ, and a complex matrix of issues concerning theology, anthropology, and salvation.

Simple, uncritical acceptance of such Muslim overtures leads Christians onto shaky ground, which is why education in Christian theology is so essential, and why even a basic awareness of Muslim beliefs and methods of preaching and dialogue are advised. Many Christians encountering the 'A Common Word' document for the first time melt with relief and gratitude that their hopes for a peaceful, moderate Islam are finally validated, but the truth of the matter is quite different.

Muslim Persecution of Christians: October, 2013

by Raymond Ibrahim — 12/17/2013

Two of the most tragic Islamic attacks on Christians, killing several women and children, took place in the month of October, one in Syria another in Egypt.

On October 21 in Syria, the U.S.-supported Islamic rebels invaded and occupied the ancient Christian settlement of Sadad for over a week, till ousted by the military.  During that week, “the largest massacre of Christians in Syria,” in the words of Orthodox Archbishop Alnemeh, took place.  Among other things, 45 Christians—including women and children—were killed, several tortured to death; mass graves were discovered; all of Sadad’s 14 churches, some ancient, were ransacked and destroyed; the bodies of six people from one family, ranging from ages 16 to 90, were found buried at the bottom of a well (an increasingly common fate for “subhuman” Christians).

The jihadis even made a graphic video (with English subtitles) of those whom they massacred, while shouting Islam’s victory-cry, “Allahu Akbar” (or “Allah is greater,” which John McCain equated to a Christian saying “thank God”).  Another video, made after Sadad was liberated, shows more graphic atrocities.

The day before rebels invaded Sadad, on Sunday, October 20, the Church of the Virgin Mary in Warraq near Cairo, Egypt, was attacked during a wedding ceremony, leaving four dead and nearly two dozen wounded.  According to a report issued by forensics, two of those murdered were young girls, each named Mary:  12-year-old Mary Nabil Fahmy, who took five shots in the chest, and 8-year-old Mary Ashraf Masih (“Masih” meaning “Christ”), who took a bullet in the back which burst from the front.

As happens frequently in Egypt and other Islamic nations, the security forces charged with protecting the church were seen leaving their posts immediately before the massacre began.  Similarly, in the words of Asia News, “Eye-witnesses of the al-Warraq attack confirm that despite numerous distress calls, police and ambulances only arrived on the scene two hours after the shooting.”

Both the massacres in Syria and Egypt received scant attention and even less condemnation by Western media and government.  Instead, people like Mohamed Elibiary, an Obama administration Homeland Security adviser, condemned Copts who raise awareness of anti-Christian violence in Egypt as promoting “Islamophobic” bigotry.

New Poll of Muslim Countries Finds Large Support for Terrorists

The country with the worst trend is Turkey. It is the only country where support for suicide bombings has increased.

by Ryan Mauro, The Clarion Project — 12/17/2013

A new Pew poll of 11 Muslim countries shows that Islamist terrorist groups still command double-digit support, with Hamas being looked upon favorably by about one-third of respondents. About one-fourth do not have an opinion of the terrorists, leaving them up for grabs in the ideological war.

The poll found that overall Muslim support for acts of violence against civilians in the name of Islam has dropped over the last decade, while concern about Islamic extremism has risen. About 67% are concerned about extremism in their faith and 27% are unconcerned.

The 11 countries surveyed are: Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Senegal, Tunisia and Turkey.

The country with the worst trend is Turkey. It is the only country where support for suicide bombings has increased.

About 13% supported the tactic in 2012 and 16% support it today, but this small increase doesn’t tell the whole story. In 2011, Turkish support for suicide bombing was at 7%. This means that support for suicide bombing more than doubled in the past two years.