Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Malcolm X, also known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. Wikimedia

Turkey renames the street on which the US embassy will sit after Malcolm X

It follows a tradition in the Muslim world of pointed diplomatic street naming.

TURKEY HAS CHANGED the name of the street on which the new US embassy will be located to Malcolm X Street, after the American black Muslim civil rights campaigner.

The new American embassy is still being built-in Cukurambar district in Ankara on what was formerly called 1478 street. Construction contractors BL Harbert have said the new complex is expected to be finished by 2020.

The renaming comes after the Ankara city council decision last month to change the name to Malcolm X Street.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised the late campaigner’s daughters that the name of Malcolm X would “live on” in the Turkish capital.

Municipality workers changed the signs of the street on this morning, and AFP correspondent said, as frenetic activity continued on the site.

Malcolm X, one of the most influential African-Americans in history, was an outspoken Muslim advocate of the rights of blacks and remains a hero today to many blacks and followers of Islam.

US Embassy Street Renamed Malcolm X Avenue - Ankara Municipal workers changing the street name in Ankara today. Depo Photos / PA Images Depo Photos / PA Images / PA Images

Turkey has made similar changes to streets on which embassies are located in a bid to make a political point against a country.

When Washington expressed concern over Turkey’s offensive in northern Syria against a US-backed Kurdish militia, Ankara in February renamed the road Olive Branch (Zeytin Dali in Turkish) on which the current US embassy is located after the name of the offensive.

In January, following a spat with the United Arab Emirates over the Ottoman Empire’s actions in Medina, Ankara renamed the street where the UAE embassy is after the Ottoman governor of the time.

Outside of Turkey, Iran most notably renamed the street on which the British embassy sits in Tehran to Bobby Sands Street, after the Provisional IRA hunger striker.

© – AFP 2018

Author
View 28 comments
Close
28 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Little Jim
    Favourite Little Jim
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 12:58 PM

    “nothing of concern” eh?!
    What about the unexplained dead man.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute АЛЕКСАНДРЪ ХАИШ
    Favourite АЛЕКСАНДРЪ ХАИШ
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 1:02 PM

    don’t be silly, jimmy

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Little Jim
    Favourite Little Jim
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 7:29 PM

    Oh No.
    The Russians are after me now!
    I take it back, there was no toaster!!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laurence Cavanagh
    Favourite Laurence Cavanagh
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 2:48 PM

    ….and another one gone,and another one gone,another one bites the dust! Hey gonna get you too!….Beware of the The Putin.Oops now I’m on The List…

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Angie Bee
    Favourite Angie Bee
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 4:08 PM

    They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Took quite a while to take down Rasputin!!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Scott
    Favourite Alan Scott
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 1:48 PM

    Sky news reported he was found dead in his bath.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid Danger Lenihan
    Favourite Diarmuid Danger Lenihan
    Report
    Mar 24th 2013, 2:05 PM

    I just hope poor Roman won’t get landed with the legal bill now.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds