Bible tours to bring tourists to Turkey

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Mosque is ‘the most majestic of the houses of worship.’

A U.S. company began this month to offer “Bible tours” to Turkey with the aim of promoting the Christian legacy in Turkey, especially in the eyes of U.S. tourists.

“Did you know [that] many of the books of the New Testament were written either to or from churches in Turkey? Apostles Paul, Peter and John all lived and/or preached in Turkey? ... The Seven Churches of Revelation were all in Turkey? ... Antakya [Antioch], Turkey is the place where Christians were first called ‘Christians’?” read some of the questions included in an advertisement Turkuaz Tours sent to U.S. church organizations.

Sultanahmet Mosque
Turkey’s population is 99 percent Muslim, “which also provides opportunities for tourists to see how our friends of other faiths worship and live. The most majestic of these houses of worship is in Istanbul – the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque,” it said.

The CEO of Turkuaz Tours, Allison Block, was raised in the U.S. state of Nebraska attending a Lutheran church. She also holds a Turkish passport. Another official from the company, Taylan Gürbüz, holds a bachelor of arts degree from Bilkent University.

“Turkey’s history is bountiful, complex, and foremost, fascinating. To learn more about what this impressive country has to offer,” or organize a tour, visit the company’s website, said Block.