The leader of National Movement (MHP) Turkish opposition party, Devlet Bahceli, called on his supporters to pray October 1 namaz on the ruins of Ani.

Sabah Turkish newspaper characterized this step as Bahceli’s response to Akhtamar’s Holy Cross liturgy on September 19.

The decision to open the parliament’s fall session the with a prayer in Ani was adopted at МНР meeting in Istanbul.

Bahceli has been repeatedly cited as asserting that the monuments in Kars and Ani belong to the Ottoman epoch.