M a l a t y a / I z m i r – After Islamic extremists murdered three members of staff working for the Christian Zirve publishing house in Malatya on 18 April, Turkish Christians continue to live in an oppressive climate. Ertan Cevik, pastor of a Baptist congregation in Izmir, reported to the European Baptist Press Service (EBPS) that a local paper in his section of the city has slandered him massively. The paper appearing in the Buca district published shocking headlines on its opening page reading: “Buca is the new missionary centre and its director is Ertan Cevik. This church works by brainwashing and using money to attract young people. Christians make students pliable by giving them drugs.” Cevik has officially appealed for an arrest of the article’s author, these accusations being completely unfounded. Cevik´s application for police protection for himself and his family was granted immediately. Church services are being shielded by the police.

In Malatya, the German Tilmann Geske (45) and the Turks Necati Aydin (35) and Ugur Yuksel (32) were tortured before having their throats cut. The police has arrested 11 suspects; the five suspects arrested immediately following the crime were 19 and 20 year-old men living in an Islamic student dormitory. On notes found in their pockets they had declared: “This shall be a lesson to the enemies of our faith. We have done this for our country.”

Geske had lived in Turkey since 1997, the last four years in Malatya. The Swiss-trained theologian had been working as a freelance translator and computer specialist. Yuksel was given a Muslim burial on the day following his murder because of his parents´ doubts as to whether he had truly become a Christian.

At the funeral for Aydin in the courtyard of Izmir Baptist church, Ihsan Özbek (Ankara), head of Turkey´s association of Protestant free churches, criticised the present anti-Christian climate. The deep-sown seeds of intolerance, racism and hatred for Christians have come to fruition. Christians are persecuted and live in continual fear: “We are described as potential criminals and traitors.” Özbek expressed his concerns to the press: “We know very well that the murders in Malatya will not be the last.” According to the Turkish news station NTV, other Christian institutions have been threatened including three print shops, a publishing house and a radio station.

Approximately 500 persons attended Aydin’s funeral, including official Izmir municipal representatives. Aydin, a former Muslim, was traveling throughout Turkey with the reknown Jesus-Film. He had moderated an Easter programme on the Turk-7 television channel on the life of Jesus. In October he had begun theological studies in Ankara. His coffin was brought to the funeral under the strains of the song: “The Goodness of the Lord”. Aydin leaves behind a wife and two children, aged five and six. Many guests at the funeral were shaken by the reaction of his children. They had wanted to know from their mother why so many photos of their father were being shown. Their mother’s answer was broadcast nationally on television: “We are celebrating a feast for Papa.”

The German “Federation of Evangelical-Free Churches” has appealed for prayer for the persecuted Christians in Turkey and elsewhere. Dangers are mounting for Christians on a global scale. The statement cites the “International Institute for Religious Freedom” and the “International Society for Human Rights”, which report that 75% of those persecuted worldwide for their faith are Christians. A whopping 80% of those murdered for religious reasons are Christians. This appeal was signed by General-Secretary Regina Claas (Elstal), the Director of the Missions Department Wilfried Bohlen (Leichlingen), and Karl-Heinz Walter (Rellingen near Hamburg), Director of “German Baptist Aid”. The appeal names specific prayer concerns: “We pray that government and media leaders in Turkey might vigorously resist radical Islamists, and that Muslims and Muslim congregations striving for peace and understanding might emerge strengthened from these events and gain greater influence.”