TurkishDaily News
Nov 8, 2003

Mutafyan: Peace and tolarance revived in Turkey


ISTANBUL - The Patriarch of the Turkish Armenian Orthodox Church, Mesrob
Mutafyan, stated that Ramadan is a month of love and tolerance and added,
"The tolerance and peaceful days of the Ottoman Empire era will be revived
in Turkey."

Mutafyan participated in an official reopening ceremony of the Ferikoy Surp
Vartanans Armenian Church whose restoration expenditures were funded by the
Sisli Municipality. After saying prays in the renovated church, Mutafyan
said the tolerance and peace among Turkish citizens began to be revived 10
years ago. "Ten years ago, the followers of the same religion did not invite
each other during the Iftar meal. Now the followers of different religions
gather to celebrate their sacred days and festivals," said Mutafyan and
added that they have been celebrating Ramadan with Muslims.

Stating that all monotheistic religions have fasting rituals, Mutafyan
continued, "The common characteristics of the monotheist religions are seen
by all people. The fasting and alms are common features of all three
religions. The restoration of the Ferikoy Church by Sisli Municipality is a
good example of the cooperation between the monotheist religions, said the
patriarch.

Mutafyan added that the tolerance and dialogue process initiated by the
Turkish Religious Affairs Directorate was supported by nongovernmental
organizations.

The Armenian Patriarch referred to the Inter-Religious Dialogue Conference
in Tarsus 10 years ago as a great contribution to the restoration of
dialogue and friendship between the different religious communities in
Turkey.