Sibel Hurtas
Translated by Timur Göksel
Armenians in Turkey who opted to live as Muslims to avoid mistreatment
are recovering their true identities in collective baptisms. The latest
such baptism came in May when 12 Armenians from Dersim (Tunceli) recovered their identities.
The saga of Armenians who were compelled to live as Muslims
goes back to 1915 massacres. Armenian children were adopted by Muslim
families, women married Muslim men and some families converted to Islam
to save their lives.
These Armenians, who for a century were forced to conceal
their identities, are trying to return to their roots. This activity is
more prevalent among Anatolian Armenians, particularly those from
Dersim. It hasn’t caught on among Istanbul Armenians.
