April 19, 2007

WEA Responds to Turkey Murders

Three workers at a Bible publishing house in Malatya, Turkey were killed on Wednesday, April 18, in the latest apparent attack on Turkey’s minority Christian community.

The three Christian men — Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel of Turkey, and Tilman Ekkehart Geske of Germany — were bound and had their throats slit in a Christian book publishing office. Several people have been detained for questioning regarding the killings.

The murder has sent shockwaves across the Christian minority in Turkey, and the Christian community worldwide.

Political tensions have been rising in the secular but largely Sunni Muslim country over the past year. Earlier this year, Armenian Christian editor Hrant Dink was shot dead by an ultranationalist youth. Last year, a Catholic priest was killed.

World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) representative Johan Candelin of Finland will travel to Turkey on Friday to provide spiritual support to the families of the three deceased.

“Something very dangerous is happening in Turkey at this time. The country is knocking at Europe’s door and far from everyone is happy about it. At the same time the nation is about to choose a new president and tension between Islamists and nationalists is growing stronger everyday. I ask all Christians to pray for families of the victims, for the protection of the Christian minority and for Turkey,” Candelin said on Thursday.

Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director of the WEA, also expressed his grief over the tragic event.

“We condemn this act of violence against Turkish Christians. We must find a way of resolving conflict without resorting to these kinds of brutal acts. It is incumbent upon government, community and faith leaders to help create a climate of mutual respect that builds understanding and reconciliation. Today, we grieve for the loss of our brothers and we stand in solidarity, prayer and support for Christians in Turkey.”

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Statement on Virginia School Massacre

Click here http://www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/news/view.htm?id=1030 (https://dnbweb1.blackbaud.com/OPXREPHIL/Link.asp?link=152862) to see a statement by Geoff Tunnicliffe, international director for the WEA, at a press conference on evangelical response to the Viriginia school massacre on Wednesay, Apr. 18, 2007 in Washington, D.C.