Christians who were able to practice their faith for years in Van are being targeted by fundamentalist groups. Groups organized in associations rented billboards from the Van Metropolitan Municipality and openly target people of the Christian faith.

The association Islam-Der is currently displaying posters that read “O Muslims, return to your roots, new year’s celebrations are a Christian tradition” on municipality owned billboards. Christianity is equated with gambling, prostitution and alcoholism.

IN CASE OF AN ATTACK

Van Church Association Chairperson Vahit Yıldız stated that some groups use the new year’s celebrations as a chance to slander the Christian faith. Yıldız pointed out the activities claimed to represent Islam and said, “This is something we go through before every Nativity (Christmas) holiday. Recently some local newspapers and columnists wrote articles with malintent towards the Christian community in Van. And some association chairs wrote some articles. They are endangering our lives, they are making us into targets. If there is an attack on the church or our Christian brothers and sisters, these people will be held responsible.”

MUNICIPALITY IS RESPONSIBLE

“Christmas is about Jesus Christ’s coming to the Earth and incarnating through the Mary. Christians greet the birth of our Lord Saviour Jesus Christ (Christmas) on December 25 with prayer, hymns, reading the Bible and showing gratitude to the Almighty Creator,” said Yıldız and added that there are no such rituals for new year’s. Yıldız pointed to the Municipality’s responsibility in allowing animosity against the Christian faith on billboards and added that they want an immediate end to this wrongdoing.