DERVISHES ARE DANCING ON JESUS CHRIST
A1+
[05:41 pm] 20 June, 2006
The advertisement about Turkey broadcast by the 22nd channel of
Saint Petersburg which si aimed at attracting tourists’ attention
has aroused a great scandal and an action was brought against it.
The point is that dervishes are dancing on Jesus Christ’s body in
the advertisement and their clothes resemble those of the Turkish
Mavlav Order. By the way, the activity of the dervish orders has
been prohibited in Turkey since 1925 and only the zikr-dance of the
dervishes has preserved as a part of national culture.
A group of Armenian activists living in St. Petersburg have recently
brought an action against the advertisement. The plaintiffs claim
that the TV Company puts its reputation and dignity into doubt while
broadcasting such advertisement. Experts have also expressed their
opinion on this score, "The part of the advertisement where dervishes
are dancing on Jesus Christ is humiliating and it harms Christian
dignity and honour."
The conclusion was presented in the South-Western regional centre of
legal investigation of RF Justice Ministry.
Artak Alexanyan, an Armenian activist claims that it is abusive when
Turkey invites tourists and shows them "architectural monuments which
they captured after annihilating their neighbours and occupying their
territories," informs "Yerkramas" newspaper.