The Largest Minority was extremely saddened today to learn of the murder of the most prominent Armenian Journalist in Turkey, Hrant Dink. Dink was found shot dead this afternoon outside his Istanbul newspaper office. Reports say he was shot by a teenager possibly belonging to a group of ultra nationalist Turks.

Dink, the editor of an Armenian weekly newspaper entitled Agos, was an outspoken commentator regarding the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks from 1915-1924.

For those that aren’t aware, during this period, 1.5 million Armenians were murdered in their traditional homeland by Ottoman Turks in what is considered the first Genocide of the 20^th century. The modern Turkish government has adamantly denied what took place for 92 years. Still, the Armenian Genocide is recognized by the governments of several countries, and many American States. The United States state department does not recognize the Armenian Genocide, and the 1.5 million strong Armenian-American community has been duped by several prominent American presidents and politicians for years into believing they would acknowledge this tragedy. Although, keep an eye on the House of Reps. For years, our old friend Denny Hastert has blocked the House from taking what has been identified as an affirmative vote. Will this sad event break the camel’s back?

One of the most outstanding aspects of Hrant Dink that should not go unnoticed is that he was proud of living in Turkey. Despite how many diasporan Armenians feel about modern day Turkey, Dink never shied away from his community, Istanbul, and his faith. Friend and fellow Turkish journalist, Andrew Finkel, stated, “If anything, he was a great Turkish patriot.” Despite this, Dink was put on trial for “insulting Turkish nationalism” for commenting on the Armenian Genocide and the affect it has had on the Armenian diaspora. He was given a suspended six month sentence in 2004 and again in 2006 for acknowledging the genocide, and was awaiting trial for the same crime during an interview with Reuters when he was killed.

Sometime after he was acquitted in 2006, a resolution was adopted in France making it illegal to deny the Armenian Genocide. Dink was oppose to making denial of the genocide a crime, and headed to France to protest the bill. He was quoted as saying “Turkey and France can race to see who can jail me first.” Dink qualified the interminable need for a climate of interaction between countries, and against laws which prohibited such dialogue.

Hrant Dink, a strong voice of dissent inside Turkey has been martyred by his murder. His example is not one that will be forgotten. This will have negative effects on Turkey’s bid for the EU, for its active and ongoing state of denial, and other countries complacency in denial. Dink’s efforts will not go unnoticed. Staying inside Istanbul and taking a stand on this issue is a monumental task for all of humanity. From the 60,000 Armenians remaining in Istanbul to the 3 million plus around the world, Hrant Dink, your example and struggle will continue. “We are all Hrant Dink.” May God illuminate his soul.