After widespread public complaint, authorities in Turkey removed billboards displaying a quote from the Quran declaring that Muslims should not befriend either Christians or Jews.
The quote was accompanied by a drawing of a Christian cross and Jewish star of David with blood dripping from them.
Reported to have been issued by Konya’s Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP), the posters were displayed at bus stops throughout the city of Konya. They quote the Quran 5:51 that states, “Do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies.” The quote goes on to warn, “They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”
Complaints were received from members of the public over concern that the posters could incite religious hatred and that the content was “hateful” to religious minorities. Both Jews and Christians are tiny minorities in this overwhelmingly Muslim-majority country.
