‘Armine became Necmiye’ or the forceful islamization of Armenians in Turkey

The islamization of Armenians in Turkey has steppted into a new phase, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan told a press conference today.

According to him Armenians emigrating to Turkey are subjected to foreceful religious conversion. Several Armenian women are leaving for Turkey, are getting married with Turks and adopting islam.

“Turkish newspapers even publish articles with headlines such as ‘Armine became Necmiye’,” said Melkonyan, meaning that an Armenian name changes into a Turkish one.

In his words among Armenians who convert into Islam are those who do it for the sake of integrating into the business environment.

“We must study this at this moment and try to prevent it. Otherwise in 2-3 years time we will have to make studies about Armenians forcefully converted [into Islam] in the 21st century.”