Turks intend to take most important Assyrian shrine

Assyrians living in and outside Turkey are concerned from the move made by the court concerning the most revered place of worship for the Assyrians – 1700-year-old Mor Gabriel monastery in Mardin Province.

According to the head of the Assyrian Association in Turkey Evgil Turker five lawsuits have been filed against the administration of the monastery: among suing sides are the forest, treasury and other ministries.

“Territories which have belonged to us for thousand years were expropriated. We hope that during trails the court will find a solution, but so far it was without any results,” Turker informed.

During time the monastery got surrounded by communities as more people settled in that area. As a result people nearby villages sued the monastery claiming that it occupies their territory

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