WEA RESPONDS TO MURDER OF THREE CHRISTIAN WORKERS IN TURKEY

Inspire Magazine, UK
April 20 2007

Three workers at a Bible publishing house in Malatya, Turkey were
killed on Wednesday in the latest apparent attack on Turkey’s minority
Christian community.

The three Christian men — Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel of Turkey,
and Tilman Ekkehart Geske of Germany — were bound and had their
throats slit in a Christian book publishing office. Several people
have been detained for questioning regarding the killings.

The murder has sent shockwaves across the Christian minority in Turkey,
and the Christian community worldwide.

Political tensions have been rising in the secular but largely Sunni
Muslim country over the past year. Earlier this year, Armenian
Christian editor Hrant Dink was shot dead by an ultranationalist
youth. Last year, a Catholic priest was killed.

World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) representative Johan Candelin of
Finland will travel to Turkey on Friday to provide spiritual support
to the families of the three deceased.

"Something very dangerous is happening in Turkey at this time. The
country is knocking at Europe’s door and far from everyone is happy
about it. At the same time the nation is about to choose a new
president and tension between Islamists and nationalists is growing
stronger everyday. I ask all Christians to pray for families of the
victims, for the protection of the Christian minority and for Turkey,"
Candelin said on Thursday.

Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the WEA, also expressed
his grief over the tragic event.

"We condemn this act of violence against Turkish Christians. We
must find a way of resolving conflict without resorting to these
kinds of brutal acts. It is incumbent upon government, community
and faith leaders to help create a climate of mutual respect that
builds understanding and reconciliation. Today, we grieve for the
loss of our brothers and we stand in solidarity, prayer and support
for Christians in Turkey."

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