Turkish nationalists rally in Armenian holy site at Ani
Turkish nationalists have said Muslim prayers inside the ruins of a historic Christian cathedral in a move likely to cause friction with Armenians.
Hundreds of nationalists travelled to the ruins of the 11th Century cathedral at Ani in eastern Turkey to commemorate a Muslim victory there.
The action is being seen as a response to the reopening of another historic Armenian church last month in Turkey.
Armenians from across the world came to hear Mass at the church in Lake Van.
Ani, an uninhabited archaeological site, was once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom in the province of Kars.
Devlet Bahceli, head of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), led the crowd saying prayers at the site.
The party said it was following the example of Turkish ruler Alp Arslan, who removed the cathedral's cross and prayed there following his capture of Ani in 1064....
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Hundreds of nationalists travelled to the ruins of the 11th Century cathedral at Ani in eastern Turkey to commemorate a Muslim victory there.
The action is being seen as a response to the reopening of another historic Armenian church last month in Turkey.
Armenians from across the world came to hear Mass at the church in Lake Van.
Ani, an uninhabited archaeological site, was once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom in the province of Kars.
Devlet Bahceli, head of the Nationalist Action Party (MHP), led the crowd saying prayers at the site.
The party said it was following the example of Turkish ruler Alp Arslan, who removed the cathedral's cross and prayed there following his capture of Ani in 1064....