Page 61 - A Call for a Turkish-Islamic Union

Harun Yahya - Adnan Oktar

The Muslims gave Jerusalem one of the world's most spec-
tacular works of architecture: the Qubbat as-Sakhrah (Dome of
the Rock), which was built on the rock believed to be the place
from where Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant
him peace) ascended to the heavens. The stunning motifs and
golden dome of this architectural masterpiece reflects Islam's
sense of art and civilization.
In this environment of compassion, non-Muslims were even
given the democratic right to voice their complaints. During the

Umayyad era, many Christians in Damascus (Sham) occupied im-
portant positions in the state bureaucracy and fulfilled their reli-
gious obligations as they wished. Some wrote even books that
criticized Islam and Muslims without fear of retribution.
At the same time, Europe was governed by a dark funda-
mentalism and barbarism. The Catholic Church was oppressing
the Jews and even Christians of other denominations. Forced

proselytization, as well as torture and murder in the name of reli-
gion, were common. On the other hand, Muslims have always
treated the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) with com-
passion, for Allah orders this in the Qur'an.
The St. John church of Damascus is another example of this
compassion. The Muslims who conquered the region began to
perform their Friday prayers in the church, and allowed the
Christians to continue to use it for their Sunday services. Two sep-
arate faiths were sharing peacefully the same sanctuary. As the

number of Muslims in the city grew, the Muslim leadership
bought the church from the Christians with their consent. Next
door, a mosque was built, and the décor of the forecourt buildings
was enriched by Islamic motifs. Byzantine-era pillars were deco-
rated with stunning examples of Islamic art.

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