Egemen Bagis, a member of parliament from Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), expressed hope that Pope Benedict XVI would leave Türkiye with a more informed understanding of Islam and Muslims. Bagis made the remarks to reporters in Antalya, where he was attending a seminar on relations between the Council of Europe and the European Union.
Bagis noted that the papal visit would be Benedict XVI's first to a majority-Muslim country since becoming pontiff. He said the Pope's public statements suggested limited familiarity with Islam, and that witnessing Türkiye's religious tolerance firsthand could change that.
The lawmaker pointed out that the Pope would be received in two capacities: as a head of state by the Turkish president, and as a religious leader by Ali Bardakoglu, head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs. Bagis said he hoped Bardakoglu would convey meaningful messages during that meeting.
On the seminar itself, Bagis argued that such events shift European parliamentarians' perceptions of Türkiye, calling the country a place where mosques, synagogues, and churches can coexist peacefully on the same street.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.