Islamic scholar says all faiths and beliefs welcomed at Turkey protests

ISTANBUL

Islamic scholar İhsan Eliaçık said the crowd in Taksim was already a mixed crowd with a welcoming attitude toward all, from religious to atheist, and dismissed all claims about the protesters. DHA photo

Islamic scholar İhsan Eliaçık has invited all Istanbul residents to join in a peaceful religious Miraç celebration tonight at Gezi Park, describing Taksim as the “securest spot in Turkey.”

Eliaçık encouraged everyone to bring snacks for the religious celebration and said a Quran reading would take place at the square at 9 p.m.

In a televised interview, Eliaçık said the crowd in Taksim was already a mixed crowd with a welcoming attitude toward all, from religious to atheist, and dismissed all claims about the protesters.

“They try to project that [only] non-believers are there,” Eliaçık said. “That is not the case. Fan groups are there, girls with headscarves are there. There is respect for belief at Gezi; there are those who say prayers during protests.”

“I encourage everyone to look in the crowd and pick out someone who seems different from themselves and then go say hello,” Eliaçık said.