Turkish Daily News , Turkey
Jan 24 2007

Themes of peace and coexistence at funeral
Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Turkish Daily News

The religious part of journalist Hrant Dink’s funeral was held in
the Kumkapi Virgin Mary Patriarchate Church yesterday. The ceremony
in the church, just as the one held in front of Agos newspaper,
was memorable for its excellence of organization.

The ceremony in the church started at 2 p.m. Security, starting at
the door, was strict. Only the Anatolia news agency was invited,
however, the Turkish Daily News also succeeded in gaining entry.

More than 100 people from Istanbul Armenian choirs joined hands to
chant with Istanbul State Opera soloist Sevan Şencan before the
arrival of the coffin in the church.

The red protocol seats at the front of the holy table were filled as
the time for the ceremony neared. At 1 p.m. sharp Dink’s coffin was
carried in and placed in the middle of the church. It was met with
applause that rang out in the church for a long time. The coffin
was encircled with people, black ribbons wrapped around their left
arms, carrying candles. With the arrival of the coffin to the church,
everyone, including Dink’s relatives, also entered. Close relatives
of Hrant Dink, his daughter included, attended the funeral wearing
white scarves. The first to come to the ceremony were his son, Ararad,
and daughter, Sera. Dink’s family remained calm throughout.

Turkish Armenians Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan became very emotional
toward the end of his speech. Beginning with the words, "Today we
bid farewell to Hrant Dink, to eternal life." The patriarch went on
to explain Dink’s life, which began in Malatya, and the difficult
struggle he had fought. Saying that Dink was a defender of democracy,
Mutafyan went on to say: "Armenians have been living on this land for
thousands of years. They should not be seen as potential enemies. A
different approach to Armenian-Turkish relations should be followed,
starting with the books taught at schools."

Stating the importance of catching Dink’s murderer, the patriarch
added that the unseen collaborators should also be found. Declaring,
"I condemn the statements made about Turkey," he added that the
presence of Armenian and Turkish people together in the church at the
moment was significant, as this was what Dink had wanted to establish.