"This area in Turkey belongs to the Jews," said Demirbas at a recent meeting in Jerusalem. "It is their land and our responsibility to make sure that they are recognized and honored here in our city."

Demirbas is a Muslim. He believes that by restoring their synagogue he can heal some of the wounds caused when Jews fled his country. He came to Jerusalem to discuss with Kurdish Jews his plans to restore their ancient house of worship. There are over 100,000 Turkish Jews living in Israel. Most of them settled in Jerusalem.

"It has always been my dream to come to Israel," Demirbas told the group of Messianic Jews and Christians who had gathered in Jerusalem to listen to his plans to build the synagogue. Clearly moved by the unity he saw between Arab and Jewish Believers in Israel he said that this was the kind of "Shalom" he wanted to see in his own country and throughout the Middle East.

In addition to building the synagogue, Demirbas is also reaching out to Christians.

The mayor was the first Turkish official to obtain a permit from the Muslim government to build a church in his town. He has been personally instrumental in the reconstruction of six Armenian and Assyrian churches in Diyarbakir.

Demirbas then inspired the local Muslims to rebuild the churches and support the same Christian groups they had formerly persecuted. "These are not only buildings I want to build. This is about learning to respect one another and learning to live together. God created us to live together," he said.

Demirbas may dream of peace in the Middle East, but because of his bold stand he has received numerous death threats and assassination attempts on his life. He is not afraid to publicly challenge Muslim hatred and aggression towards Jews and Christians. But most Muslims are angered by efforts to live in peace with Jews and Christians, particularly since the Koran teaches that "if a Jew or Christian do not agree that Muhammad is the only prophet of God they should be treated as infidels and you should declare war on them."

To make matters worse, Demirbas has also been a staunch defender of women's rights in a country where women are regularly mistreated, demeaned and publicly humiliated. His activities supporting women have stirred anger among Muslims who believe that Allah wants them to "beat your wives."

Demirbas, who is considered among Turkey's "most undesirable persons," was imprisoned for showing respect to Jews, Christians and other religious groups. But the people love him and elected Demirbas mayor of his city from his jail cell!

Before getting involved in politics, Demirbas rose to prominence as a philosophy teacher and educational leader in the region for 29 years. He now serves as a leading member of the People's Democratic Party that recently won 80 seats in Turkish parliamentary elections.

With President Erdogan at the helm of the government, Turkey will most likely continue the systematic process of Islamization, meaning more persecution of Christians and what can only be described as anti-Semitic hatred towards Israel. But Mayor Demirbas and his People's Democratic Party (HDP) now present a serious challenge to Erdogan and these recent elections could be the beginning of a gradual reversal of the Islamization of Turkey's 75 million people.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Hundreds Accept Jesus Christ in Poland at Franklin Graham Rally

Grammy-Winning Christian Artist Mandisa Has Died: Report

How You Can Send Letters of Encouragement to Jailed Pro-Life Heroes

'Americans Cannot Allow the Biden Administration to Sign Away Their Birthright': Congressmen Warn of WHO Pandemic Agreement

Illegal Immigrants Being Moved into Soldiers' Home Where Veterans Must Pay to Stay

House Democrats Vow to Codify 'Rights' to Trans Surgeries, Hormones, Puberty Blockers

18-Year-Old Female Trans Student Charged for Planning Two Maryland School Shootings, Manifesto Said She Wanted to Be 'Famous'

Israel Strikes Deep Inside Iran, Nuclear Facilities NOT Hit

An Important Message from Japan to the world about the WHO, Japan and the Next So-called 'Vaccine'

Rand Paul: Brave Marine Revealed that 15 US Agencies Knew COVID-19 Was Created in Lab in 2018; But They Kept It Secret from American Public (VIDEO)

Confirmed: Researchers Reveal COVID mRNA Vaccines Contain Component that Suppresses Immune Response and Stimulates Cancer Growth

Farmers, Truckers Warn California Emissions Mandates Will Cause 'Catastrophic' Supply Chain Crisis

Fed Court Overturns State Law Protecting Women's Sports from 'Transgender' Athletes

Furry Infestation: Middle School Students Walk Out in Protest after School Leaders Allow 'Furries' to Terrorize Them (VIDEO)

Biden's Education Secretary Vows to Shut Down the Largest Christian University in the US

US to Back Rafah Op in Exchange for Israel Dropping Major Iran Strike; Report

Schumer Succeeds in Killing Off Mayorkas Impeachment Trial before It Can Even Begin

California Town Tears Down Beloved Hillside Cross

Danielle Smith Again Defends Alberta's Coming Ban on Transgender Mutilation of Children

Detransitioners: We Were Pushed to Transition as Teens, Now We're 'Vindicated' By Study Showing Kids Grow Out of It