CHURCH RESTORATION AN ATTEMPT TO RESTORE MALATYA’S IMAGE

armradio.am
06.04.2010 10:55

A mosque foundation has taken on a project to restore an Armenian
church in the eastern province of Malatya three years after the murder
of three Christians there.

Only two out of 16 members disagreed when Latif Yıldırım, the head
of a mosque foundation, offered to renovate the TaÅ~_horon Armenian
church in Malatya, the Hurriyet Daily News reports.

Asked why a mosque foundation would help restore a church, Yıldırım
said: "The reason is quite simple; I was born in Malatya, but I grew
up in Istanbul in Bakırköy with many Armenian neighbors. They were
the most amiable people. Their warm-heartedness and friendship entirely
changed the way that I see life."

Another reason for saving the historical sanctuary would be to
contribute to saving Malatya from the infamy of the murders of three
Christians in 2007. "This will be such a good advertisement for
Malatya that you cannot attain even if you pay a million dollars,"
said Yıldırım, who added that Al Jazeera and private German TV
station ZDF would visit the site.

Yıldırım said, "We can find money for the church quickly once the
permission is granted."

The foundation first asked the Prime Ministry for approval after its
board of directors decided assume the project.

The foundation then asked the Culture Ministry Renovation Directorate
for permission, which was granted, and approached the Armenian camp.

Although Aram AteÅ~_yan, the deputy patriarch of Armenians, first
refused their appointment request, he invited them to his office
three days later.

Now, the foundation is waiting for the Culture Ministry’s permission
to start construction and is looking for sponsors, having reportedly
applied for European Union funds, talked with wealthy Armenians and
had meetings with businessmen in Malatya.