BY: ZEYNEP TOZDUMAN (Translated from Turkish and is not perfect)
You at this time of Mesopotamia in the east 23 October and 9 November 2011 a major earthquake two lives I want to take you to the city of Van . Starting out 
from Van Bakraçlı from there connected to the center by Armenians in the village known as the Seven Churches Varagavank want to move to the monastery .
from Van Bakraçlı from there connected to the center by Armenians in the village known as the Seven Churches Varagavank want to move to the monastery .As you all know from the media and visual media Habertürk’e the deed to the church newspaper editor in chief has been registered on the Conqueror ‘s grandfather’s Altai . Fatih Altay ‘s grandfather’s church, in what circumstances and how it is tapula If we put aside the past year , Mr. Fatih Altaylı demeçl given to the public to sow hope into the hearts of the Armenian people everyone was very happy . Just like spring given false hopes went out like a balloon .
Pearl of the Orient can be called orphans and the poor in recent years the geography of the province of Van , state-sponsored massacres continuous earthquakes and does not fall off the agenda for centuries . While still hugging the wounds of the 2011 earthquake , they kontener struggling for life V – quarters of the people in these days kar’l are deluged . Once upon a time the fate of the Armenian people lived hand , unfortunately now the Kurds are living in this ancient city . Helpful to neighboring countries and to the suffering of their own people , but that looks like a hero , who passed away , we live in a strange country . The city of Van, with pain and tears , throughout history, has experienced many earthquakes . April 30, 1915 after suffering huge political earthquake , burned, re-established after the destruction of this city was once the capital of the region called Western Armenia , peace, love and brotherhood was the mot herland . They went Armenians … But Van continues to shake . Just like the people of Van in the Seven Churches in 2011 saw severe damage in the earthquake . Let’s look at a bit of a brief history of the church together .
” Varagavank Armenian monastery , also known as the Seven Churches , Vaspurakan the richest and best-known monasteries and position of the archbishop of Van imiş. The monastery , nowadays known as Erek Mountain near the southern slope of Mount Varaga location, 10 kilometers northeast of the city of Van . Vaspurakan King Senekerim -Hovhannes this monastery reign (1003-1022) at the beginning of the book is the rumor . Located in the accident at the beginning of many religious center , no doubt , also known as the Seven Churches of the Holy Cross Monastery was coming Foil . Architecture , as well as gains in centuries Vasburaganl with u had in the hearts of Armenians . Varagavank Monastery, made at different times, six churches, a zhamatun , surrounded by an outer wall of the bell tower and consists of several additional buildings . Located in the monastery church of Surb Astuacac Varagavank occurred in 1648 and priest in an ear thquake damaged large Kirakos controlled studies was restored according to the original ” .Varagavank monastery on the Fatih Altaylı Armenian people returned with the statement immediately after the 7.08.2012 Free Agenda in the resulting According to a report , ” of earthquakes after many years in the church caretaker , Mehmet Coban, the church soon restored and the remaining portion to the rescue of Culture and Tourism Directorate, Directorate of Museums and Special Administration where necessary especially with the petition was filed . In 2011 the church was completely destroyed after the earthquake . Van by the General Assembly , composed of the BDP and the AKP five -person commission , the monastery was damaged, and remain insensitive to extinction . A report prepared by the Commission views . Van report submitted to the Provincial Assembly , the Assembly discussed and unanimously accepted. Chairman of the Commission , which reports to parliament BDP Provincial Assembly Member Qutbaddine Hacıyusufoğul , earthquake severely damaged portion of the monastery church , he said. Therefore, the church needs to be repaired urgently ,” he stressed .
Despite the decision in Van City council until now there was no solution .
Foil Monastery, which were confiscated after the 1915 genocide, only one of thousands of Armenian property . In 1915, belonging to Armenians in Van, about 300 in total, more than two thousand deeded to the church is the moment who knows what . Most of these properties to individuals Teskilati period ( for members of the Special Organization ) , treasury or municipal authorities were tapulan .
Until now, Fatih Altay What did the registration of deeds , What Van City council, made renovations and repairs of the Seven Churches . Speaking the day with a hot day while recovery was long forgotten , gone. But we have not forgotten . We know , words are to be held . Fulfilled the promises made to the public and promises a debt until we know the reminder .
Conqueror of Altai this church rightful owner of the title deed of the Armenian people in the person administering the patriarchate , a van from the city council as soon as possible to do the restoration and repair of the church persistently expect . Firstly, in my country and in the world where if you have an oppressed people , usurpation of the rights and remedies of living if we guard their conscience should be. In this region , if not brotherly friendly to live together as equal citizens of Turkish intellectuals I believe that a great responsibility . Ethnic identity , like me white Turkish ones , marginalized all peoples hands , handle their pain surfaced removal / forget me name and 1915 until today kept alive all of genocide for the 2015 misses the larger must take steps .
We know very well the history of humanity ‘s heritage, history and a great place to go with is to go with humanity . Come on ! Yet hugging people injured in the earthquake and Van Van / Varagavank monastery Let’s protect the name of humanity together .
ZEYNEP TOZDUMAN
Author, human right activist