Anti-Santa campaigns heat up in Turkey as Christmas arrives

[KRAIT]

A Muslim youth group and a neighborhood authority led two separate anti-Santa campaigns on the eve of Christmas in Turkey.

The Istanbul University branch of a group called Anatolia Youth Association (AGD) released an illustration of a Muslim youth punching Santa Claus in the face and announced that it would make a press statement against Christmas on Dec. 26 in Istanbul.

The group announced the event with a statement titled “Muslim, return to yourself!” adding that “Christmas is a Christianity practice.” The group also criticized the celebration of New Year’s Day, saying that the two dates were “mixed” and “united.” It claimed that celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Day was “wrong” and constituted “a blow dealt to Muslimism.”

Earlier this week, the Şirinevler muhtar, the head of the neighborhood, hung a banner making it clear that Santa Claus was not welcome on their streets.

“As in recent years, Santa Claus will not be coming to Şirinevler since he is nothing to do with our traditions and our culture,” muhtar Galip Karayiğit said in the statement. “[Turk legend character] Dede Korkut will come to our houses again, and will teach our children that they did not come into this world for pleasure, that they came to distribute justice.”

LOCAL - Anti-Santa campaigns heat up in Turkey as Christmas arrives

 

[T-123456]

You can thank Erdogans policy for this.
Or just Erdogan.
Most Turks cherish our diversity.

 

[Irfan Baloch]

slowly but surely .. the sickness is starting to have its effect on the Turks which they remained immune for such a long time. the same sickness which countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan etc caught which was fueled by petro dollars.

Kamal must be turning in his grave.

 

[angelwarrior]

What is poor Santa's fault ?

 

[T-123456]

See,this is why we had the Gezi park protests in the summer.
I'm sure you all remember those events.
They are trying to turn our country into a Islam fundamentalists country.

 

[hussain0216]

Good

why support a nonsense idea started
By coca cola to sell drinks

And the guy in the article is right it has nothing to do with Turkish culture or traditions

 

[Sugarcane]

Well done Turkey, at last you joined the Ummah

 

[Anubis]

Santa is Saint Nicholas....He would be a Turkish citizen if he were around today!

 

[Hashshāshīn]

Saint Nicholas was born in Turkey as well...

@Anubis He was Greek but lived in modern day Turkey

 

[KRAIT]

Well done Turkey, at last you joined the Ummah

Hope its a sarcasm. Turkey is a secular country. And far more peaceful. This type of intolerance will create more problems.

Look at our South Asia.

 

[Sugarcane]

Hope its a sarcasm. Turkey is a secular country. And far more peaceful. This type of intolerance will create more problems.

Look at our South Asia.

Abay Baniay- You disrespected my sarcasm by saying "Hope its a sarcasm" - you should tender unconditional apology

 

[T-123456]

Well done Turkey, at last you joined the Ummah

What ummah,we dont believe in ummah.
We Turks are Muslim,Christian,Jew,Atheist etc.
We do not tolerate this crap get over it

 

[JanjaWeed]

Who cares about Santa... Christmas without Turkey makes no sense. btw... don't forget to take out the giblets!

 

[Fahad Khan 2]

Iran and KSA are also peaceful and prospering and both are religious state.... If you are liberal it does not mean your country will prosper.. Prosperity comes with justice in system... There are many African, south american and Asian countries which are liberal but are big failure.... What Erdogan has to do with it if some people in Turkey don't like Santa?? Erdogan made failed state run by liberals into European powerhouse and fake liberals of turkey should thanks him for that rather then criticizing......

 

[Sugarcane]

What ummah,we dont believe in ummah.
We Turks are Muslim,Christian,Jew,Atheist etc.
We do not tolerate this crap get over it

Good for you - Chill now