UPDATE - Turkey Will Not Allow Istanbul To Transform Into Constantinople - Erdogan

ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th March, 2019) The Turkish people will not allow Istanbul to become Constantinople, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, in reference to the city's former Christian name, which was reportedly referenced by the attacker who recently carried out an act of terrorism on two mosques in New Zealand.

Last Friday, New Zealand was rocked by two consecutive terrorist mass shootings at Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. The tragedy left 50 people dead and 50 more injured.

"The terrorist attack in New Zealand is a signal of certain circles addressed to Turkey. The enemies of Muslims have shown that they continue to hate us. We are ready to resist and speak loudly about it in Canakkale ... Turkish people will always live on these lands, they will not allow Istanbul to be turned into Constantinople," he said while speaking in the northwestern city of Canakkale which marked the 104th anniversary of the Turkish troops' victory over the Entente powers (Britain and France) in the Dardanelles Campaign during World War I.

Later, Erdogan also accused the West of failing to demonstrate due reaction to the attack and a manifesto, published by the suspected shooter prior to the tragedy.

According to the president, the manifesto was written by a "very serious structure" and then handed to the attacker.

"Has Europe spoken out against the backdrop of this incident? No. The Western media have been very deceitful in this situation ... Why are the West and Western media keeping silent?" Erdogan told the 7TV channel.

The New Zealand attack suspect, who was immediately detained, has been identified as Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian national and a resident of New Zealand's Dunedin city. Tarrant recorded his views in a manifesto in which he expressed strong anti-migrant and anti-Muslim sentiments. Part of his manifesto was devoted to Turkey and Erdogan, media reported, citing a portion of the document that had leaked online. He reportedly promised to make Constantinople "rightfully Christian" in an open threat to the city's Muslim population.

Tarrant e-mailed his manifesto to several people minutes prior to the attack. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who has dubbed the tragedy a terrorist act and the country's "darkest day," was one of the recipients of the document.