A vandalism attack on 24 November in Turkey’s south-eastern city of Malatya damaged a small Turkish Protestant church.
The assault came just two days after the targeting of 13 minority Alevi families in a nearby neighbourhood.
Rising sectarian tensions over the two incidents quickly prompted local police investigations, followed by a concerned visit by an opposition member of the Turkish Parliament to meet church members as well as local Alevis, a large percentage of Turkish citizens who follow a heterodox form of Islam.
Midnight attack
In the church attack, a lone suspect heaved a brick through the display window of Malatya’s Kurtulus (Salvation) Church shortly before midnight and then fled the scene on foot. But with the incident captured on security camera footage, local police arrested the assailant the following day, identifying him to the Turkish press only by his initials, O.G.
For the Kurtulus Church’s congregation, this was a flashback to the night of the failed coup in 2016, when unidentified assailants had broken glass panels in the church’s door.
Love your enemies
After examining the damage on the night of the attack, church representatives posted this message on the broken glass, visible to all the passers-by: ‘ “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Jesus Christ.’
‘This is a chance for our church to live out our faith, to respond with love and forgiveness,’ American pastor Tim Stone said. ‘This is how we act on Jesus’ words, not just say them.’
