PodcastMagazine owned by pro-gov't media group calls for establishment of caliphate in Turkey
Gerçek Hayat, a magazine owned by a pro-government media group, has called for the establishment of caliphate in Turkey. "Hagia Sophia and Turkey are free now," the cover page read. "If not now, when? If not you, who? Get together for a caliphate," it added.
Duvar English
A magazine owned by a pro-government media group has called for the establishment of caliphate in Turkey, prompting outrage on social media.
The magazine published by the Albayrak Media Group, Gerçek Hayat, has called for a caliphate in its issue dated July 27, while also praising the decision to turn Istanbul's Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
"Hagia Sophia and Turkey are free now," the cover page read.
"If not now, when? If not you, who? Get together for a caliphate," it added.
— Abdurrahman Dilipak (@aDilipak) July 26, 2020
The opening of Hagia Sophia for worship was met with joy among Turkey's Islamists.
Following the first Friday prayers on July 24 at the site, a group of fundamentalists marched on the streets of Istanbul via shouting "God is great."
The magazine, of which the grant holder is Mustafa Albayrak and editor-in-chief Kemal Özer, is known with its Islamist stance.
Mustafa Albayrak is also the CEO of daily Yeni Şafak, which has been staunchly pro-government.
Fundamentalists march on Istanbul's streets after praying at Hagia SophiaÖmer Çelik, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson, sent a series of tweets on the issue.
"The Turkish Republic is a democratic, secular and social state of law. With these characteristics, the Republic is our common ground," Çelik said on July 27, adding that "it's wrong" to produce political polarization regarding Turkey's political regime.
"Our Republic will last forever," he also said.