People in Amasya, Turkey gather around a statue. It’s not every day they see an Ottoman prince taking a selfie!

The Ottoman Empire started in 1299. It stretched far across the Middle East and Europe. Long ago, Ottoman princes traveled to the town of Amasya. There, they learned how to rule.

But why the selfie pose? The statue’s designers thought tourists would like it. But not everyone thought this twist on history was funny. The selfie statue went unharmed for just a few days. Then vandals snapped off the prince’s phone and sword!

In Turkey, the government keeps close watch on what people say. People who support the vandalism can get in big trouble.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God.” —Romans 13:1