Mardin Reacts to UNESCO Report

Tutasi characterized the report as nothing more than a series of weak excuses. He said, “The report says that the Syriac Christians and the Deyrulzafaran monastery are not being protected, and that they feel threatened by migrants from the villages. But we have never denied our Syriac friends. And I also believe that it is necessary for us not to deny Islam. There is a hidden intent here. Because they take the subject from here to there and then bring it back to the monastery. I have visited the monastery, but I still haven’t been able to convince the monks to visit a mosque. If they want me to make concessions regarding my identity, personality and culture, then may it never happen. We don’t want it.”

Seyhmus Edis / Mardin / TURKEY