Kelat and Kayme palaces risk demolition
Kelat and Kayme palaces risk demolition
Kelat and Kayme palaces 15 km away from Semdinli district of Hakkari are on the edge of demolishing due to lack of care. Although the officials state that they have prepared a project for restoration so far there have been no step taken.
Kelat and Kayme palaces are located in Nehri village where is well known for being the home town on Seyit family of the Naksibendi sect. The village takes its name from Saadei Nehrî River. The palaces are built by Sheikh M. Sidik and Seyit Abdullah between 1890-1910, the sons on Sheikh Ubeydullah who led Ubeydullah Rebellion of 1880. However both the palaces are mostly destroyed due to lack of care.
There are also several graves of Nehri family members around the palaces which are visited by the locals who consider them as holly. Kelat Palace built by Sheikh Mehmet Siddik erects on a rectangle basis and the arches which could remain until today are remarkable.
The stones of the palaces were removed by the Turkish soldiers in 90’s
The inscriptions on the north front of the Kelat palace indicate that the palace was built by Seyit Abdullah between 1909-1911.
The locals report that the stones of the front side of the palaces were removed by the Turkish soldiers in the 90’s. However, a couple of the arched windows and doors on the west front of the palaces remained until today.
Project for restoration
Hakkari Provincial Administration official Salman Kaya stated that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has prepared a project for the restoration of the palaces. “According to the projects the palaces would be restored in 240 days but because there should be at least 3 out of 16 experts to sing the implementation we could not start the project.” added Kaya. He also stated that they are planning to sort out the formality soon and issue an invitation for tender.
Turkish PM is more concerned about the history of Kosova than Semdinli
Regarding the unprotected historical ruins in the region one of the directors of Human Rights Association IHD Emin Sari said Cultural Affairs Directorate of the Provincial Governor Office is using the delay in the project as an excuse not to protect the local history as there is no need for a project to surround these places before starting restoration. “The Turkish PM is talking about protecting historical buildings in Kosovo which remained from Ottoman era but he is completely ignoring the Kurdish history in the region which shows how nationalistic AKP is.” added Emin Sari.
Municipalities are prevented by the central government
The mayor of Semdinli Sedat Tore stated that the central government has the competence on the historical buildings and ruins and they are preventing Kurdish mayors in the region from restoring or protecting the Kurdish history. “It is forbidden under law to restore such places without permission from central government. That means not only NGO’s but also municipalities are not allowed to restore them. This approach cannot be based on good faith but destroying the local history.” added mayor of Semdinli.
Semdinli: The cradle of civilizations
History of Semdinli goes back to Sumer, Urartu and Assyrians. The town was then controlled by Med, Babil, Pers and Macedonians. The town was conquered Caliph Omer and joined the Muslim state of the town. Since 1514 Caldiran War the town has been controlled by different Turkish states.
Kelat and Kayme palaces are located in Nehri village where is well known for being the home town on Seyit family of the Naksibendi sect. The village takes its name from Saadei Nehrî River. The palaces are built by Sheikh M. Sidik and Seyit Abdullah between 1890-1910, the sons on Sheikh Ubeydullah who led Ubeydullah Rebellion of 1880. However both the palaces are mostly destroyed due to lack of care.
There are also several graves of Nehri family members around the palaces which are visited by the locals who consider them as holly. Kelat Palace built by Sheikh Mehmet Siddik erects on a rectangle basis and the arches which could remain until today are remarkable.
The stones of the palaces were removed by the Turkish soldiers in 90’s
The inscriptions on the north front of the Kelat palace indicate that the palace was built by Seyit Abdullah between 1909-1911.
The locals report that the stones of the front side of the palaces were removed by the Turkish soldiers in the 90’s. However, a couple of the arched windows and doors on the west front of the palaces remained until today.
Project for restoration
Hakkari Provincial Administration official Salman Kaya stated that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has prepared a project for the restoration of the palaces. “According to the projects the palaces would be restored in 240 days but because there should be at least 3 out of 16 experts to sing the implementation we could not start the project.” added Kaya. He also stated that they are planning to sort out the formality soon and issue an invitation for tender.
Turkish PM is more concerned about the history of Kosova than Semdinli
Regarding the unprotected historical ruins in the region one of the directors of Human Rights Association IHD Emin Sari said Cultural Affairs Directorate of the Provincial Governor Office is using the delay in the project as an excuse not to protect the local history as there is no need for a project to surround these places before starting restoration. “The Turkish PM is talking about protecting historical buildings in Kosovo which remained from Ottoman era but he is completely ignoring the Kurdish history in the region which shows how nationalistic AKP is.” added Emin Sari.
Municipalities are prevented by the central government
The mayor of Semdinli Sedat Tore stated that the central government has the competence on the historical buildings and ruins and they are preventing Kurdish mayors in the region from restoring or protecting the Kurdish history. “It is forbidden under law to restore such places without permission from central government. That means not only NGO’s but also municipalities are not allowed to restore them. This approach cannot be based on good faith but destroying the local history.” added mayor of Semdinli.
Semdinli: The cradle of civilizations
History of Semdinli goes back to Sumer, Urartu and Assyrians. The town was then controlled by Med, Babil, Pers and Macedonians. The town was conquered Caliph Omer and joined the Muslim state of the town. Since 1514 Caldiran War the town has been controlled by different Turkish states.
