Turkish Muslims concerned over Jewish symbols in popular TV series

A Turkish TV series is raising eyebrows in the Muslim world because of the incidental placement of Jewish symbols in the series, unexplained.

A mezuzah and a depiction of a menorah are causing concern:

Judaism has nothing to do with the series, and the eagle eyed Muslims noted that no one kissed the mezuzah. It is possible, they believe, that the producers simply borrowed a Jewish owned house for the filming. 

But the fact that the menorah was shown during Chanukah - coupled with the fact that Tayyip Erdogan wished Turkish Jews a happy Chanukah - is creating conspiracy theories. 

"We attach absolute importance to the freedom of religion and belief and to the peaceful coexistence of our citizens in this country and the exercise of their culture, religious rituals and customs without discrimination on the basis of religion, race or religion," Erdogan said.

"As representatives of a culture that derives its richness from its diversity, we congratulate ourselves and all the Jews, especially the Jews of Turkey, on the occasion of the Hanukkah Festival, based on our desire to continue the climate of love and mutual respect in the future," Erdogan said on Twitter.

"We attach absolute importance to the freedom of religion and belief and to the peaceful coexistence of our citizens in this country and the exercise of their culture, religious rituals and customs without discrimination on the basis of race or religion. As representatives of a culture that derives its richness from its diversity, we congratulate all the Jews, especially the Jews of Turkey, on the occasion of the Hanukkah Festival, based on our desire to continue the climate of love and mutual respect in the future," Erdogan said on Twitter.

The article in Zaman admits that anti-Jewish sentiments are the usual fare in Turkish media, and between Erdogan's message and the incidental view of Jewish symbols in the series, people are wondering if Turkey really is starting to love Jews.

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