this Turkish border town of 50,000 people, already persecuted Christians in Turkey’s volatile border region prepare for an even fiercer battle.
Every U.S.-led attack against Iraqi positions increases the chance of a new violent campaign by Muslim radicals against the Christian minority here, as it is perceived as pro-American.
"We need peace more than anything at the moment and prayers," says 31-year old Isa Dogdu, a theological teacher at the Syrian Orthodox Church in the medieval city of Midyat, about 150 kilometres north of Silopi.
His church is the main denomination of local Christians, also known as ‘Syriac people,’ a reference to the dialect they speak. It has close ties with over one million fellow believers across the border in Iraq who mainly belong to the Assyrian Church of the East with its spiritual centre in Nineveh, now Mosul, where the Bible says prophet Jonah brought the message of repentance.
HISTORY OF SUFFERING
Like their brothers and sisters in Turkey, they know Syriac, based on the Aramaic language which Jesus Christ is believed to have spoken.
Both groups also share a history of suffering, as surviving in Turkey’s mainly Muslim environment is not an easy task. "In the last ten years 20 to 30 Christians, including some women and children, were murdered in Turkey’s border region," says a well informed source with close knowledge about the situation.
Other families have been threatened by a variety of Islamic groups, including the radical ‘PKK’-group that is fighting for an independent Kurdistan in Turkey and Northern Iraq, ANS has established. In addition Christians have been threatened and attacked by the militant Hizbullah organization, which fought the PKK, as well as village guards and Turkish security forces.
THREATENED AND SCATTERED
"Christian families stood often accused of aiding the PKK by providing shelter and food to them. But they had no other choice, as these PKK fighters also threatened them. It was a no-win situation," says a source requesting anonymity.
The Turkish authorities have promised to improve religious and human rights as they prepare to negotiate the country’s efforts to join the European Union within the next few years. Believers say their situation somewhat improved in the last four years. Yet there is fear of a backlash as "some circles will see the war in Iraq as a fight between Muslims and Christians," says Dogdu.
Only an estimated 3,000 Christians are currently living in Turkey’s border region with Iraq and Syria, down from 50,000 believers two decades ago. In the area of Midyat, once a proud centre of church life, only 100 of the 1,000 Christian families have stayed, according to church estimates.
"PRAISE HEAVENLY FATHER"
Those who are left behind, "must be seen as missionaries" with a vision, says teacher Dogdu. "Our Christian presence here is a witness to our faith and our religion. I think this is one of the biggest missionary activities," he explains.
"Just like Jesus said: "be good so that people see your good deeds and than praise your Heavenly Father." He has noted that "many Muslims" visit the nearby Mor Gabriel monastery.
Dogdu: "Muslims even consider it a holy place. Some come to get information about Christianity, others to get an answer for their prayers…They also reach out to Muslims. Christians in this region have, for instance, gold and silver shops as well as vineyards. They often employ Muslims."
MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS
He stresses he knows "of one Muslim working in a Christian shop whose grandfather killed 40 Christians during the World War One massacre when hundreds of thousands of Christians in Iraq and Turkey died. His grandfather initially killed 39 Christians, and later an elderly man, to make the number 40 so he could go to heaven…"
As Muslim prayers reverberate throughout Midyat, Dogdu’s 35 students sing an old Syriac song in honour of those who gave their lives for Christ. "Hallelujah" they shout, the word that is clear in any language. "When The Lord will come again, He will see their works," they add.
Most of these youngsters, age 12 to 18, left their parents in villages to live and study at the Mor Gabriel monastery. During day-time they gather at the local, mainly Muslim, state school, where some have reportedly been threatened by fellow students. At night these students study the Bible, pray and discuss their future plans.
"CHRIST IS EVERYTHING"
"These children want to serve the Lord," explains Dogdu to ANS at a meeting in an ancient church building in Midyat, which has its cross tower overlooking several mosques. He suggests its part of an effort to ensure that one of the only major Christian Communities in the Middle East region can survive.
"I want to become a Christian Syriac teacher because their are not enough teachers in our village," says 17-year old student Thomas Budak.
Despite the difficulties and history of bloodshed against Christians in Turkey, he does not want to leave his country. Budak:" The Christian faith is more important than anything else. Its more important than my life on earth."
