Deadly flash floods hit Istanbul

At least 31 people have been killed in flash floods in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, which has left cars and lorries stranded across highways after the heaviest rains in the region in 80 years.
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Goodbye dear Erbakan

Tens of thousands of Turks turned out Tuesday to mourn the death of Necmettin Erbakan, the country's first Islamist prime minister, who died Sunday of heart failure at the age of 85. Istanbul, Turkey.

Japanese tourist in Istanbul

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Bloodshot Mavi marmara

Independent: Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists have welcomed back to Istanbul the ship that was the scene of bloodshed during an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May. (December 26 2010)
The activists, mostly members of pro-Islamic groups, waved Palestinian and Turkish flags and chanted "down with Israel" and "Allah is great" as they greeted the vessel. They vowed to send more ships in an effort to break the Gaza blockade. Protesters also boarded boats to welcome the approaching ship, which was adorned with a poster of the nine activists from Turkey who were killed during the raid.
The ship was part of an international flotilla carrying supplies to Gaza in a campaign to breach the blockade on Gaza when Israeli troops intercepted the convoy. Eight Turks and an American-Turkish teenager were killed in the violence that erupted on board the Mavi Marmara.

Ashura, a factor for unity

Erdogan: Event of Ashura, a factor for unity of Sunnis and Shiites
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan participated on Thursday (17 Dec 2010) in Ashura ceremony in Istanbul, to be the first Prime Minister to attend a Ashura mourning ceremony in Turkey’s history.
Erdogan, has said that the martyrdom of Imam Hussein on the day of Ashura in Karbala is a factor for unity of Sunnis and Shiites.
According to Press TV, in an address to a mourning ceremony, commemorating Ashura in Istanbul, Turkey, Erdogan pointed out that the selflessness and courageousness of Imam Hussein and his faithful supporters, conveys the message of unity and fraternity for all world Muslims.
He further called for unity of all Muslims, across the globe.

Worshipers of the friday prayer at "Eyup Sultan mosque"

Worshipers are waiting for the beginning of the Friday prayer during the holy month of Ramadan at Eyüp Sultan mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. (© Pierre Marsaut)