�We have a big hope for the future because the political government has changed,� says Fr. Gabriel Akyuz.
Tur Abdin main cities Midyat and Mardin are today multi-cultural communities of both Christian, Arabic and Kurdish speaking Muslim peoples each sharing a mutual respect and understanding for the other. They speak the same languages, shop at the same stores, school and play together. The differences are fewer than the similarities and like one 12 year old Kurdish girl playing outside a church gate put it, �the only difference is that we go to mosque and they go to church.�
... But these are not the views of all Christians from Tur Abdin. Opinions differ and sometimes drastically depending on city or village or who may be around to hear.
...... After graduating primary school the village boys board at one of the monasteries and attend either Midyat or Mardin middle and high school. But for the majority of village girls - school ends with grade five.
Shaking his head in disgust Habip admits that after this year his daughter Victoria will be staying home with her mother and not attending the schools in Midyat.
He is college educated. He speaks five languages and believes strongly in the sanctity of education. �I am afraid for her,� he sighs. When asked what could happen he shoots back, �who knows... I just hope it will be better in the future for the younger ones to attend.� The fear he and most all Christian villagers feel for their children stems from a notoriety of harassment to the kidnapping of marriageable girls. Though Habip will not utter the word no matter how hard he is pressed Fr. Gabriel Akyuz says it. �Kidnapping!,� he blurts, but only after checking to see we are alone. �It happened before. Yes, 20 years ago, 15, 13 years ago. We are now very aware.�
Archdeacon Melfono Gulten from Mor Gabriel Monastery acknowledges that the kidnappings took place but says, �It is a fear that belongs in the past. They need to lose this old fear. I think people are not so harmful and this new generation is a more understanding one. But it needs time.�
And the children seem to agree - including 17 year old boys Hazni and Nahir from Hah who both attend Midyat high school. They say that they have never had a problem in school caused by their religion. They even seem a bit surprised by the question...
- CNEWA Magazine 1/03
- National Catholic Register 11/02