"However, it is situations like this where leadership steps in. In fact, the very purpose of leadership is to speak for those who can not. Evidently, such leadership was not on display as the cameras rolled and dignitaries exchanged pleasantries while strolling through the expansive Blue Mosque.

In the hopes of bridging differences that exist between the Christian and Muslim worlds, turning a blind eye to the festering wounds that exist only serve to widen the gap between East and West.

Perhaps we vest too much hope in religious leaders to stand up and say the things that need to be said. However, I can't help but look at the photos of the pope and other religious leaders assembled and feel that the teetering elephant is ready to collapse upon these leader's followers.

Seems to me that if we start accepting something less than success as success, we may end up having to deal with the same type of success as we have in Iraq."

An excerpt from an article on the omission of Armenian Genocide, the vast destruction of Christian Chruchs in Turkey and Cyprus, as well as praying towards Mecca.
News Article | 12.02.06 - 5:16 am | #

http://abcnews.go.com/Internatio...=2694983& page=1
News Article | 12.02.06 - 5:21 am | #

What I found interesting was that the Mufti had to wait for the Pope to finish his prayers.
Andy K. | Homepage | 12.02.06 - 10:09 am | #

Holy Father seemed to pray more intensively, so I read many turkish people were totally impressed by him.
Marketa | Homepage | 12.02.06 - 11:14 am | #

Sort of looks like the Pope was holding on for dear life.
Lawrence | 12.02.06 - 11:42 am | #

re the ABC editorial, can we just say that I hardly find the views of a lawyer who represents Michael Jackson as morally compelling.
JohnS | Homepage | 12.02.06 - 11:33 pm | #

Just as a note: The hand position the Pope used in prayer is the traditional Muslim hand position, I think this is why the cameras focused on his hands more than a few times.
ben | 12.04.06 - 4:26 pm | #