The Infidel

The Funeral

This was it. The funeral of Hrant Dink, a kind and loving family man who stood taller amongst giants than most others in his profession, was attended by tens of thousands of people. And the Turkish leadership missed a true opportunity to show the world that politics can be put aside. Erdogan did not attend "due to his pre-determined program that included hosting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi".... That's a bunch of bullshit. How about you take Prodi with you, who I'm sure would not have minded seeing you show your solidarity? Even an appearance of five minutes would have proven this, for God's sake.

Instead, Erdogan chose to court the ultra-nationalistic vote since his presidential bid depends on a continued majority. And that's where politicians, in general, lose. They can't seem to make a conscious selfless human decision anymore.

The religious zealots were also missing; what happened there? Was it during prayer times? In fact, can anyone find any information that anyone from the Turkish political/military/religious class was there? I can't seem to find anything.

Well, Metin from TalkTurkey summed it up very nicely, I think:

The President should have been there. The Prime Minister should have been there. The Religious Attaché famous for his recent photo-op with the Pope, and too quick to comment on a holy man's blunder, should have been there. The Chief of the Turkish General Staff should have been there. The Majority Opposition Leader should have been there. The 'so-called' forces of government and 'deep state' representation should have been there. Too bad they weren't there. But too bad for them 'the people' were there.

My thoughts go out to his family...

Obituary: Hrant Dink (1954 - 2007)

                      

                                      Hrant Dink

                            (September 15, 1954 - January 19, 2007)

You can find a short CV from Agos Newspaper (scroll down, I corrected some grammar here):

He was born in Malatya on 15.9.1954. At the age of seven, he migrated to İstanbul together with his family. He got his primary and secondary education in Armenian schools. Immediately after lyceum, he got married.

He graduated from Zoology Department of İstanbul University's Science Faculty. Then he continued his education at Philosophy Department of the same university's Literature Faculty for a while.

Since 1996 he worked as the columnist and editor-in chief of AGOS weekly newspaper which can be regarded as the voice of Armenian community.

He tried to make this newspaper a democratic and oppositional voice of Turkey and also tried to share the injustices done to the Armenian community with public opinion.

One of the major aims of the newspaper is to contribute to the dialogue between Turkish and Armenian nations and also between Turkey and Armenia.

He took part in various democratic platforms and civil society organizations.

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Hrant Dink was murdered in a heinous and cowardly way, most likely, by some brainless and lost ultra-nationalist Turkish young man, who I hope will be brought to justice as soon as possible. I am deeply saddened by Hrant's death because I believe that he had good intentions for Turkey and the Turkish people. Although I don't agree with everything he said and wrote, it is clear that he was a peaceful activist voicing his norm-opposing views to raise awareness, which is the bread and butter of any democracy. No human being should be persecuted for his/her opinions in any country, but especially in Turkey.

Now more than ever, Turks need to show solidarity and condemn this attack as an act of senseless violence against one of our own. Hrant was a Turkish citizen, a man who has contributed greatly to Turkish society and furthermore even served proudly in the Turkish Armed Forces when his time came (standing second from right). He did not shy away from criticism or threats and even is said to have refused protection showing fearlessness and dedication to his principles.

Turks cannot and should not under any circumstances ignore Hrant's or any other journalist's assassinations. This is a shameful act in light of our country's image and will only be held against us as a whole if the assailant is not pursued and brought to justice adequately.

If anyone in Istanbul is reading this, I would be eternally grateful if you could light a candle in my name as a vigil to Hrant's memory. My condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.

UPDATE:

Please read the articles in the NY Times and the Turkish Daily News sites.