Ahmet Hakan: 9 important difference between the Pope and Bardakoglu

ONE: The Pope is a chosen religious leader. Ali Bardakoglu, the Minister of Religious Affairs, is in the first and final analysis, an "appointed" state official.

TWO: While the Pope can claim his power directly from God, Bardakoglu can say at the most "May Allah not aid the downfall of the state."

THREE: The Pope is also the head of a state. Bardakoglu is a top level bureaucrat in a secular state, with a position no different from that of our "General Director of Deeds and Land Registers."

FOUR: The Pope has the right to bless everything and everyone. The most Bardakoglu can do is deliver sermons at mosques.

FIVE: The Pope has a series of sumptuous outfits, each of which symobolize a different religious meaning. As for Bardakoglu, whether or not his  "decorated coat" and "fitted hat" even have a confirmed place in Islam is still under debate.

SIX: The Pope is a part of a complicated, hierarchic religious structure of the "Spiritual Council." To speak of the "Religious Affairs Aides" connected to Bardakoglu as "spiritual" is in itself treading in dangerous waters.

SEVEN: The Pope has chosen to stay single for the rest of his life, on the basis of his beliefs. Bardakoglu is a typical Anatolian male.

EIGHT: The Pope is the ruling sovereign over a piece of land which, even is small, exists by the "will of God."

NINE: The Pope declares both religious rulings and orders. He is both a spiritual and worldy. Bardakoglu's job is limited to "ordering religious services" and thus is confined to being a "head" on earth.