Bediuzzaman's warning to Menderes in 1952 of "the possible attack" of the two currents within the opposition whose interests were most harmed by Democrat policies. Now the danger was imminent and he was anxious above everything to warn them of this. For it was not only a question of saving the Democrats, it was a question of saving the country from the consequences of once again coming under the rule of forces hostile to Islam and favourable to irreligion. However, this was only one reason for the journeys, which as a citizen Bediuzzaman had a perfect right to make, just as he had the right to offer advice to politicians. Nevertheless, İnönü and the RPP seized on them as a means of further attacking and weakening the government; besides İnönü making a series of inflammatory statements, they prompted the press to create a sensation and furore over the journeys, which resulted in over-reaction by the police and their taking extraordinary measures against Bediuzzaman wherever he visited.
Bediuzzaman's urgent advice to Menderes and the Democrat deputies who visited him in Ankara was to re-open Aya Sophia as a place of worship [^113] and to make an official announcement stating that the Risale-i Nur was not subject to any restrictions. [^114] That is to say, he saw that the only way the Democrats could now save themselves, having fallen into a position of weakness and disadvantage before İnönü and the RPP, was to stand up and make bold statements concerning the principles in which they believed, and in the service to which their former successes and popularity lay. However, for whatever reasons, Menderes did not have the will or courage to respond to these urgent suggestions and within less than six months was overthrown by the coup Bediuzzaman had foreseen, and the country was back in the hands of its former rulers. As for Bediuzzaman, when he saw that his advice evoked no response from Menderes, he complied with the wish of the authorities and remained in Emirdağ, then Isparta, making his final journey to Urfa some two months later in March.
[^113]:Transformed into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmet on his conquering Istanbul in 1453, for nearly 500 years Aya Sophia had been the symbol of Islamic supremacy over Christianity. It was made into a museum by secret Cabinet decision in October, 1934, and closed to worship. On the pretext of repairs, it has remained as such, having been opened to worship only partially in 1991. See, Semavi Eyice, "Ayasofya," in İslam Ansiklopedisi, iv, 206-10; "Ayasofya Zulmü," in Yakın Tarih Ansiklopedisi, vii, 6-104.
[^114]:Tahsin Tola, in Son Şahitler, i, 160.
All Bediuzzaman's journeys were in the Chevrolet his students had bought for his use. His first trip was to Ankara on 2 December 1959. Accompanied by Zübeyir, he stayed one night in the Beyrut Palas Hotel then returned to Emirdağ the following day. [^115] He continued to Isparta,
[^115]:Şahiner, Said Nursi, 421.