Note that mostly the faces are scratched out. Some Muslims believe that to remove the face or head destroys the character of the image as a depiction of a human being. Also, besides removing supposed temptations to idolatry, Islamic jihadists want to destroy the artifacts of non-Muslim civilizations because doing so testifies to the truth of Islam, as the Qur’an suggests that the destroyed remnants of ancient non-Muslim civilizations are a sign of Allah’s punishment of those who rejected his truth: “Many were the Ways of Life that have passed away before you: travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who rejected Truth.” (Qur’an 3:137)
This is one of the foundations of the Islamic idea that pre-Islamic civilizations, and non-Islamic civilizations, are all jahiliyya — the society of unbelievers, which is worthless.
“Panagia Sumela Monastery frescoes destroyed in Turkey (photos),” Thema News, August 9, 2020:
The authorities say no damage was done
Vandals defaced and damaged priceless Byzantine frescoes in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Sumela in Trabzon, on the coast of northeast Turky [sic].
Sumela Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary and attracts many pilgrims and tourists every year on her feast day on August 15. It was built in 386 AD.
Th [sic] culprits destroyed Byzantine frescoes, while the Monastery was closed for repairs.
Turkish authorities deny the disaster, with the Deputy Director General of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism stating that there was no recent damage to the frescoes in the Monastery.
This is one of the foundations of the Islamic idea that pre-Islamic civilizations, and non-Islamic civilizations, are all jahiliyya — the society of unbelievers, which is worthless.
“Panagia Sumela Monastery frescoes destroyed in Turkey (photos),” Thema News, August 9, 2020:
The authorities say no damage was done
Vandals defaced and damaged priceless Byzantine frescoes in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Sumela in Trabzon, on the coast of northeast Turky [sic].
Sumela Monastery is a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary and attracts many pilgrims and tourists every year on her feast day on August 15. It was built in 386 AD.
Th [sic] culprits destroyed Byzantine frescoes, while the Monastery was closed for repairs.
Turkish authorities deny the disaster, with the Deputy Director General of Cultural Heritage and Museums of the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism stating that there was no recent damage to the frescoes in the Monastery.
