ARMENIAN CONVERTS IN TURKEY BRAVELY AVOW THEIR NATIONALITY

The oppressed minorities of Turkey, most of whom evaded genocides bypassinginto Islam, are getting bolder in their speeches and activities as thecountry bids for the EU. The Greeks of Pontos, Assyrians, Arabs andespecially Armenians of Hamshen, Mush, Sassoon, Vardo, Zakho and otherregions who were "turned into" Kurds and Muslims are living days ofwakening. The latter sent a delegation to take part in the rally ofEuropeanArmenians in front of the European Parliament last September. Afterwards,excited by the ongoing pressures on Turkey to recognize the ArmenianGenocide, the Armenian converts give interviews to French, German,Belgian,Turkish and Armenian newspapers.
We called the "mother" of "Kurdized" Armenians and Hamshen Armenians inGermany historian and political scientist Alis (Aliye) Alt to getinformation on these issues. He said from his Frankfurt apartment which isin effect is a castle for preserving the Armenianhood: "We always followyour articles on Hamshen Armenians and Armenian converts. Thanks to theinfluence of these articles that are often posted on the Internet,hundredsof lost Hamshen Armenians who feared to reveal their identity in past getintouch with us now. Certainly, the important reforms that took place inTurkey under the EU's pressure and... the threat that a Kurdish state willemerge forced Turkey's state circles to be a little more democratic withthefree press and mass media. We call on the Armenians of Armenia andDiasporato provide care for their brothers and sisters who were forcefullyconvertedand who number 1.5 million in Turkey. Time is ripe for a conference toassemble all Armenians who are willing to get out of forced isolation,reveal their identity and tell about their 90 years long persecutions inEuropean institutions. This is to be an all-Armenian initiative withcontribution from all organizations", the author of "Hamshen Armenians inthe Mirror of History" tells.
Simon Geonden is from Karmir Khach village of Mush who currently lives inWiesenbaden. He lived the greatest half of his life as a converted "Kurd"but returned to his roots due to the Kurdish national awakening.Emigratingto Germany as a student, he got in touch with national minorities fromTurkey, including Armenian Genocide survivors.
"We are hopeful that the European Armenians will be more kind to us. Somepeople have morbid understanding of the converts and want to seeeverythingsettled in a few days. Time will solve all our issues and will heal ourdeepwounds", Simon Geonden said.
By Hamo Moskofian in Frankfort-Wiesbaden