Author: David Nargizian

Hrant Dink Widow Receives Death Threats.

Days after an attack and vandalism on a second Armenian church in Istanbul, the Hrant Dink Foundation reported receiving death threats via email against Dink’s widow, Rakel, and the organization.

Upon receiving the threats on May 28, the Hrant Dink Foundation filed a report with the police. Turkey’s Interior Ministry on Saturday announced that suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of sending the threatening messages.

According to Daily Sabah, the suspect, identified as a 25-year-old professional tile layer, was in the possession of a cell phone that is believed to have been used to send the threats. Authorities confiscated the cell phone and the suspect is in custody in Istanbul.

“Let’s just say you’ll have to flee or you’ll have to die – and this time it will be Rakel Dink and that lawyer who [will] get it,” said the death threat email, according to a statement issued by the Hrant Dink Foundation.

“We may turn up one night, when you least expect it,” was another phrase used in the threat. This phrase was used around the time of Hrant Dink’s assassination on January 19, 2007.

According to the statement, the threat also accused the Hrant Dink Foundation of “weaving tales of harmony” between Turks and Armenians.

“The recent rise in unconstrained hate speech and racist, discriminatory discourse only serves to trigger, encourage and instigate such horrendous attitudes. It is the duty and responsibility of all actors engaged in politics in Turkey to work towards ensuring equality, freedom and justice for all citizens. We therefore believe that it is our duty to share this statement with the public to remind the authorities of their responsibilities and to emphasize the serious nature of the climate that has been created,” said the Hrant Dink Foundation statement.

The United Staes Commission on International Religious Freedom on Wednesday issued a statement of Twitter saying, “USCIRF is concerned by reports of attacks on Armenian churches, threats against the Hrant Dink Foundation (@HrantDinkFnd), and other incidents contributing to a sense of fear and insecurity among religious and other minorities in #Turkey.”

“This wave on anti-Armenian attacks – committed during the very week that the White House issued an Executive Order prioritizing the promotion of international religious liberty – has yet to be condemned by the Administration,” said Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

“Our U.S. Ambassador in Ankara, David Satterfield, needs to demonstrate – with his words and actions – that the United States will not tolerate intimidation, incitement, and violence against at-risk Christians on the territory of present-day Turkey. He can start by personally paying a call on the Hrant Dink Foundation and visiting one of the targeted Armenian Churches,” added Hamparian.

In honor of the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, five Armenian-owned restaurants collectively donated more than 150 meals on April 24 to fuel the night shift crew tirelessly working the Emergency Department at Massachusetts General Hospital during the global pandemic.

Ani Catering & Cafe, Anoush’ella Kitchen, Jana Grill & Bakery, Noor Mediterranean Grill and Phinix Mediterranean Kitchen each added their own flare to individually packaged meals filled to the brim with flavorful kebabs and falafel, shawarma wraps and stuffed grape leaves complimented with hummus, warm rice and zesty salad.

The sound of sirens was buzzing in Boston on a blustery Friday night, as police were escorting cars to move out of traffic. Ambulances were rushing in as quickly as they were leaving the parking lot outside of the main entrance on Fruit Street. Three vehicles pulled up to find grateful emergency staff ready to help unload 20 large bags of food onto two overflowing carts. Moments later, restaurant owners waved goodbye, as MGH staff carefully wheeled the carts inside to hungry and fatigued frontline workers. The owners glanced at each other in silence with a shared sense of longing standing six-feet apart before heading to their cars to go home. Given the circumstances, they miss out on the personal touch, that face to face delivery to their customers and comforting each other on the solemn occasion.

“I believe that a home-cooked meal can heal the soul,” said Arsen Karageozian, owner of Noor Mediterranean Grill in Somerville, redefining the broader meaning of food in the Armenian cuisine. “I hope my food provided a bit of comfort that our heroes on the front lines deserve.”

Each restaurant carefully timed their meal preparations in insulated bags and boxes to ensure the meals were hot and ready upon delivery.

“Everyone followed us to the break room,” said the charge coordinator after delivery.

You could see their smiles through their face masks in pictures sent to the Armenian Weekly.

Food is an _expression_ of love for Nina Festekjian and her family. As the owner of Anoush’ella in Boston, she strives to share that passion with the greater Boston community.

“Armenian food is a way to feel continually connected to our heritage while connecting with our family and friends in the present,″ she said.

“We love the community and we cherish any opportunity we can get to show how much the community truly means to us,” said Hovannes Janessian, owner of Ani Catering & Cafe of Belmont, while emotionally reflecting upon the memories shared in the community through his family’s food throughout the years. “Our community was built on collective involvement.”

While these successful Armenian-owned food joints regularly donate food individually, their unity on April 24 proves that Turkey failed to exterminate the Armenian population. They hustled overtime to collectively represent the entire Armenian community of Boston and brought smiles to those who needed it most on that Friday night, together.

“Most of these small-time food operators are usually busy competing against each other but seeing them come together for a cause bigger than them individually is a powerful moment,” said Sam Pogosov of Phinix Mediterranean Grill in Waltham.

He recalled a powerful Armenian message from his grandfather that guides his everyday life, “Do good and throw it in the water. It shall not sink.”

“Uniting together was a small gesture but it had such a powerful symbolic meaning to me,” said Sarkis Keryan, owner of Jana Grill & Bakery of Watertown. “Most of us (Armenians) are now alive because our great grandfathers or great grandmothers were able to escape the genocide, go through incredible hardships and build a life for themselves and their children. By uniting and helping others, we not only show unity in chaos but we also celebrate all the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.”