CROSS ON SURB KHACH CHURCH ON AKHTAMAR ISLAND CAN CAUSE MUSLIMS’ DISPLEASURE

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
27.07.2009 14:10 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Turkey’s decision to inaugurate a cross on Surb
Khach Armenian Church on Akhtamar island doesn’t imply any change of
Ankara’s position, according to professor Ruben Safrastyan, director
of the RA NAS Institute of Oriental Studies.

"Furthermore, Turkish restorers will not be able to reconstruct the
church observing Armenian cultural traditions," prof. Safrastyan
told PanARMENIAN.Net.

"Inauguration of a cross on the Armenian Church may arouse Muslims’
displeasure. Intolerance towards other religious is growing in
Turkey. This country’s religious policy is still anti-Christian,"
he said.