[Destro]

Did you notice the Koranic Islamic emblems hanging from the ceilings inside St. Sophia extolling the power of Islam over Christianity inside what was once the largest church on the planet? And to know that there are still Christians in Turkey that would like the church back? Why is it denied them? Thus in asking the questions you can understand the Turkish answer.

[sofaman]

Agreed.

Remarkably, though, there is a tolerance, albeit grudging, for both Christianity and Judaism in Turkey. As opposed to a dramatic lack of tolerance and downright hostility toward any other religion in any of the other "Muslim" nations.

The Synagogue in Istanbul is magnificent and is listed in the Holy Site guidebook that is handed to tourists outside the Blue Mosque (so-called).Several churches listed too.

Btw, I was shocked at the amount of Hebrew that I heard spoken in Turkey. Evidently, it's a hot tourist destination for Israelis...