Kurdish Businessman Requests Weddings, Baptisms to Occur in Van’s Holy Cross

The Sept. 19 Divine Liturgy that took place at Holy Cross Armenian Church on Aghtamar Island on Lake Van continued to remain a trending topic in the Turkish press. In particular, scientist Baskin Oran wrote a story on the event, talking about the meetings he had in Van.

Oran attended the Divine Liturgy, after which he spoke with Aziz Aykaç who owns a few houses in the environs of Aghtamar Island. In Van, Aykaç is considered a great businessman; he also owns two daily papers.

Aykaç said that he’s Kurdish, but that all of his father’s neighbors were Armenian.

“There are many people here who have Armenian relatives. They know that they’re Armenian, everyone knows, but no one talks about it. They only speak about it when circumstances will be sorted out right,” said Aykaç while speaking to Oran.  The Kurdish business owner added that, with great pleasure, he provided his houses to Armenians participating in the liturgy.

Aykaç also said that he appealed to the governor of the province of Van, asking for permission for weddings and baptisms also to take place at Holy Cross Armenian Church. According to the business owner, the governor displayed a positive approach to his request.