AZG Armenian Daily #068, 16/04/2005
ARMENIAN CONVERTS IN TURKEY BRAVELY AVOW THEIR NATIONALITY
The oppressed minorities of Turkey, most of whom evaded genocides by passing
into Islam, are getting bolder in their speeches and activities as the
country bids for the EU. The Greeks of Pontos, Assyrians, Arabs and
especially Armenians of Hamshen, Mush, Sassoon, Vardo, Zakho and other
regions who were “turned into” Kurds and Muslims are living days of
wakening. The latter sent a delegation to take part in the rally of European
Armenians in front of the European Parliament last September. Afterwards,
excited by the ongoing pressures on Turkey to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, the Armenian converts give interviews to French, German, Belgian,
Turkish and Armenian newspapers.
We called the “mother” of “Kurdized” Armenians and Hamshen Armenians in
Germany historian and political scientist Alis (Aliye) Alt to get
information on these issues. He said from his Frankfurt apartment which is
in effect is a castle for preserving the Armenianhood: “We always follow
your articles on Hamshen Armenians and Armenian converts. Thanks to the
influence of these articles that are often posted on the Internet, hundreds
of lost Hamshen Armenians who feared to reveal their identity in past get in
touch with us now. Certainly, the important reforms that took place in
Turkey under the EU’s pressure and… the threat that a Kurdish state will
emerge forced Turkey’s state circles to be a little more democratic with the
free press and mass media. We call on the Armenians of Armenia and Diaspora
to provide care for their brothers and sisters who were forcefully converted
and who number 1.5 million in Turkey. Time is ripe for a conference to
assemble all Armenians who are willing to get out of forced isolation,
reveal their identity and tell about their 90 years long persecutions in
European institutions. This is to be an all-Armenian initiative with
contribution from all organizations”, the author of “Hamshen Armenians in
the Mirror of History” tells.
Simon Geonden is from Karmir Khach village of Mush who currently lives in
Wiesenbaden. He lived the greatest half of his life as a converted “Kurd”
but returned to his roots due to the Kurdish national awakening. Emigrating
to Germany as a student, he got in touch with national minorities from
Turkey, including Armenian Genocide survivors.
“We are hopeful that the European Armenians will be more kind to us. Some
people have morbid understanding of the converts and want to see everything
settled in a few days. Time will solve all our issues and will heal our deep
wounds”, Simon Geonden said.
By Hamo Moskofian in Frankfort-Wiesbaden