15 June 2018•Update: 16 June 2018
By Halil Ibrahim Sincar
MARDIN, Turkey
The priest of an Assyrian Christian church in the southeastern Turkish city of Mardin on Friday hailed the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
"Mardin has always been the crossroads of religions, languages, and cultures. In Mardin we have been celebrating four festivals, not just two," Father Gabriel Akyuz told a ceremony to mark Eid al-Fitr at the local Ataturk Culture Center.
Marking the Muslim holiday, the priest expressed hope for peace.
"Syriac society does not forsake [Muslims] in any Muslim events, and likewise, Muslims don’t forsake [Syriacs] in any event of Syriac and Ezidi society. There is a good tradition, a good union," added Mustafa Yaman, the province’s governor.
Saying the city had enjoyed a peaceful environment for over a year, Yaman expressed hope that this "unity, fraternity and solidarity will continue forever."
