you know a famous song "Istanbul Not Constantinople " so I want to talk some about this .
as you know Istanbul was the capital city of Byzantium and also was the center of orthodox churchs.
In 1453 Fatih Sultan Mehmet The Sultan Of Ottoman Empire conquered the Istanbul City. He didnt want bad treasures or old buildings of Byzantium. His only purpose was keeping his Prophet Muhammad (sav) word:
"Verily you shall conquer Constantinople. What a wonderful leader will he be, and what a wonderful army will that army be!" (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehmed_II)
He never destroyed churchs in Istanbul. never killed any Byzantium or christian people. He never captured goods or buildings of any Byzantium or christian people.
There are still many Byzantium people in Istanbul , many churchs (they are still active.), many building belongs to Byzantium people even very good and huge buildings. The patrick of church Bartelemeos makes his "job" in peace.
But a few days ago Bartelemeos (The patrick of church) , made an interview with an english television. He talked about many things, but the abstract of his word is simply:
" i cant stand this. our city are in the hands of muslims, we were here, before they came. "
In 1453 Fatih Sultan Mehmet The Sultan Of Ottoman Empire, could kill all Byzantium people, all christian in Istanbul, could destroy all church... but he didnt.....
I wrote this , because , I want you know this.
Mustafa KILIÇ
from Turkey