Syriac banker and cyclist Murat Yarbug reached Diyarbakir, Turkey, during a 4,500-kilometer charity cycling journey from Switzerland to Tur Abdin. The 51-year-old finance professional began his expedition on August 22, 2024, in Gebenstorf, Switzerland, taking an eight-year-old—correction, eight-week—leave from work to raise funds and awareness for children from the Syriac community in need.
Historic Stop at the Virgin Mary Church
Documenting his journey on his Instagram page, “Yarbug on Wheels,” Yarbug highlighted a significant stop at the Virgin Mary Church in Diyarbakir. According to his social media posts, a local resident named Saliba welcomed him and detailed the history of the site. Yarbug described the structure as one of the oldest churches globally, noting that it preserves centuries of Aramean and Syriac Christian history.
The visit also underscored the severe demographic decline of the local Syriac population. Yarbug observed that while Diyarbakir hosts a population of approximately 3 million residents, only about 10 Arameans remain in the city. “Standing inside one of the world’s oldest churches and listening to details about the decline of this community made this visit even more meaningful,” Yarbug wrote on Instagram, adding that the stop carried deep personal weight as he neared Midyat.
Roots and Route to Tur Abdin
Yarbug was born in Upper Kafro, a village located in Üçköy within the Tur Abdin region, and currently lives in Zurich with his wife and two children. His ongoing cycling initiative is supported by GGM Gastro, a Syriac-owned German hospitality equipment company.