Erdoğan: You can never turn Istanbul into Constantinople

At least 50 people were killed when a terrorist opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers last week at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

About as many were injured, with several still in critical condition.

In his so-called manifesto, Australian terrorist Brenson Tarrant threatens to kill all Turks living in European lands of Turkey and elsewhere west of the Bosporus. He also expresses his desire to demolish the famed Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and its minarets.

"We are coming for Constantinople and we will destroy every mosque and minaret in the city. The Hagia Sophia will be free of minarets and Constantinople will be rightfully Christian [sic] owned once more," it says.

“We speak once again from Canakkale after 104 years, and say we have received your message,” Erdoğan said during ceremonies marking the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Çanakkale, commemorating the martyrs in the historic victory.

“We also understand what kind of terrorist it is who expresses the threat 'You will not go from the Anatolian side to the European side',” said Erdoğan, referring to the Islamophobic manifesto, adding that “This was not an individual act, but organized.”