| July 23 |  |
Editor says, what if Western Governments celebrated Islamic History, Art and Culture? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This article is dedicated to the pursuit of peace between Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters.
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In 2004, on this day a new era of multi-faith brotherhood was ushered in by Prime Minister Mr Recep Tayip Ergogan who symbolically re-opened the Stari Most (Old Bridge) at Mostar (pictured), a project funded by his Government of Turkey in order to sponsor nation-building in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Nation BuildersThe Ragusan Bridge over the River Neretva was torn down by the invading Turks in 1467. A new construction was built in 1566 by an Ottoman Engineer called Hayreddin who was at that time architect-in-chief to Suleiman the Magnificent. The result was admired by everybody for its beauty and technical perfection, surviving many wars for centuries.
Christians and Muslims could freely move between the markets and mosques of the city. "Yes, it is our bridge too". ~ Croatian Vice-MayorAt least until the madness of 1992/3. Because after two days of shelling, on 9 November 1993 an artillery unit from the Croatian side of the city finally brought down the old bridge. Croatian vice-mayor of the city Mr Tomic admitted "For a long time afterwards, the Croats said - it was their [the Muslims] bridge, so what do we care? Now they are beginning to realise. Yes, it is our bridge too.".
Ten years later the Croats agreed with the Muslims, it was time to rebuild the bridge. The Turkish President Mr Ahmet Necdet Sezer flew into Mostar to promise Turkish money, a generous offer that was warmly received in the open-handed manner in which it was given. As the great man once said, something was missing in this harsh world, and that was love...
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Empire Lite (2003), Michael Ignatieff Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Politicians Source: Wikipedia Labels: Islam, Bosnia, Mostar, Turkey, Herzegovinia. Editor says, in Empire Lite (2003), Michael Ignatieff writes ~ The Turkish President said it was a symbol of the Ottoman, Muslin and Turkish influence in Europe. He did not need to add that the Turkish Government is campaigning for entry to the European Union. The Germans especially don't want Turkey in the European club, since it would mean even more Turkish immigration. So the Europeans decided that they would pay for the bridge. There is some irony in the fact that Europeans want both to keep the Turks out and to rebuild the bridge as a symbol of its multicultural and Muslim heritage.
News report - MOSTAR, July 23 (ONASA) - Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayip Erdogan, who was to arrive to Mostar on Friday for the opening ceremony of the Old Bridge in Mostar, has canceled his arrival after 36 people perished in one of the country's worst railway disasters, the Turkish Embassy to BiH said in a statement.One of the new fast trains, linking Istanbul to Ankara, derailed Thursday evening near the northwestern town of Pamukova, its five carriages overturning and crashing into each other.
~ Having the Turks involved would raise lots of hackles---their rule in that part of the world is mostly not remembered fondly, to put it _very_ mildly.
~ If only people could really get along.
~ The presence of Erdogan might have caused the Croats to blow up the bridge again. If there is one thing the Turks, and other Muslims don't want, is for Europeans to be reminded of 1200 years of Muslim aggression against them. (The last Turkish Muslim war against Europeans on European soil was the Ilenden revolt of 1907 in Macedonia. Thousands were killed.) May I suggest a read of "Jihad in the West - Muslim Conquests from the 7th to the 21st Centuries" by Paul Fregosi.
© Today in Alternate History, 2013-. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
