Families of Turkish Martyrs Forgive Muslim Killers

Muslim teenagers posing as seekers interested in converting to Christianity viciously murdered three Turkish church leaders nearly four years ago.

In the middle of the day in Malatya, Turkey, the lives of Necati Aydin, Tilmann Geske and U’ur Y’ksel came to a brutal end inside a Bible publishing office. Their wrists and ankles bound together, the men were slammed headfirst into the wall, tortured with butcher knives, and interrogated about their missionary activities. Finally, their throats were severed as police beat down the door.

Five teenaged killers were apprehended each carrying an identical note in his pocket that read, “We did this for our country. They were attacking our religion.”

To mark the four year anniversary of the martyrdom, NRB Network will broadcast the film Malatya. The film chronicles the events of that day and the power of forgiveness demonstrated by the wives of the slain.

“When we set out to make this film, I think we had some idea of how this story might affect others,” says Steve Hussman, producer of Malayta. “All along we hoped that it would generate prayer for the Turks, encourage people to initiate friendships with Muslim neighbors or perhaps even inspire people to visit Turkey. But I think we underestimated how much we would be changed in the process. Seeing with our own eyes the courage, perseverance and faithfulness of Semse and Susanne has left an indelible mark on each of our lives. We will never be the same.”

Semse and Susanne, the grieving widows of Aydin and Geske, shocked the country and made headlines when they publicly declared their forgiveness of the young men who took their husbands’ lives. In the words of Jesus from the cross, they proclaimed “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

The one-hour special airs Thursday, April 14th at 8:30 pm ET and Friday, April 15th at 12:30 am. To learn more about Malatya or to arrange a group screening, visit www.malatyafilm.com. For information about the Global Day of Prayer for Turkey, visit www.prayforturkey.com.