|
Patriarch Saverios of Antioch
Who made the East- Aramean Nestorians known as "Assyrians"?
SUA/WCA and allowing terrorism
Aramean history, culture and language, a six partite interview
21-1-2013: Iraq: Aramean teacher and student killed in Mosul
22-2-2012: Iraq: We have left behind a "sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq"
19-8-2011: Iraq and Arameans: The usual ritual, blowing up their churches
7-6-2011: The uproar in the Middle-East and the future of the Aramean nation
29-4-2011:
“Liberation” of
23-11-2010: Aramean blood continue to flow in Iraq: Two Aramean brothers killed in Mosul
11-11-2010: An Aramean spiritual leader makes a dramatic appeal: Leave Iraq
1-11-2010: Bloodbath among the Arameans of Baghdad: Something like this never happened
17-5-2010: Iraq: The 19 years old Aramean girl Sandy Shabib Hadi Zahra succumbs to her injuries
10-3-2010: Exodus Arameans from Mosul: According to recent UN report more than 5000 Arameans have left Mosul
27-2-2010: Council of Churches in Iraq appeals to the government to protect the Aramean people in Mosul, Iraq
26-2-2010: The Arameans of Mosul: A new Exodus and Ethnic cleansing is going on
18-2-2010: The Arameans of Iraq again victim of killings and bloodbaths:
24-12-2009: A Christmas “message” for the Arameans of Mosul: Four Aramean Churches attacked and one Aramean killed
1-9-2009: Arameans of Iraq: The East- Aramean Chaldean bishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk sounds the alarm bell
29-8-2009: Totally unfounded or has it a grain of truth in it? Greater- Israel and the ethnic cleansing of the Arameans of Mosul and surroundings in Iraq
13-7-2009: Seven Indigenous Aramean Churches in Baghdad (Iraq) attacked by car bombs
4-5-2009: Aramean blood continues to flow in Iraq…
15-11-2008: Iraq: The bloodshed of Aramean people and bombardment of churches continues undiminished
27-10-2008: Attempt of ethnic cleansing Mosul: The Aramean Srebrinica. Who is responsible and why?
2-9-2008: Again two Arameans killed in Iraq
Killing of Priest Yusuf Adel Abudi
4-5-2008: Again a Aramean spiritual leader is killed in Iraq. This time: The West- Aramean Syrian orthodox priest Yusuf Adel Abudi in Bagdad
11-4-2008: Through all the misery: Miracles happens in Iraq
6-4-2008: Funeral of the West- Aramean Syrian Orthodox Priest Yusuf Adel Abudi
Killing of Mgr. Faraj Raho
1-3-2008: East- Aramean Chaldean bishop of Mosul, Mgr. Paulus Faraj Raho was abducted on 29-2-2008 in Mosul.
13-3-2008: The East- Aramean Chaldean bishop Paulus Faraj Raho killed in Mosul
14-3-2008: Friday 14-3-2008: Funeral of Mgr. Faraj Raho in St. Addai Church in Karemlesh
16-3-2008: Mgr. Paulus Faraj Raho: A Great Spiritual Leader and a Worthy Sheppard in Charge of Jesus Christ
23-2-2008: Aramean centre for art and culture has been opened in Ankawa, northern Iraq
7-1-2008: Aramean Churches and institutions in Iraq under Attack
Killing of Priest Ragied Aziz Gannie
25-5-2007: Terror against Arameans (including "Assyrians" and Chaldeans) of Iraq. Ethnic cleansing of the Indigenous people of Iraq
Killing of Isoh Majeed Hadaya
22-11-2006: The West- Aramean Isoh Majeed Hadaya killed by terrorists in Iraq
Killing of Priest Paulus Iskandar
12-10-2006: Aramean priest Iskandar beheaded in Mosul (Iraq) |
Aramean people: Aramean people (not to be confused with ‘Armenians’) speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Abraham, Moses and Jesus. They are the indigenous people of what was called in ancient times Aram- Nahrin, in our days it is called ‘Mesopotamia’. Some Arameans today identify themselves with “Assyrians”, because of the spiritual colonial hate generating activities of the Western missionaries and diplomats in the Middle-East in 16th and 19th centuries. Other Arameans became known as “Chaldeans”. However all of them are Arameans.In Turkey, the Arameans are called: Süryani. In Arabic they are called Al- Suryan. Letter sent to the US Embassy by the three Archbishops of the Syrian orthodox Church of Antioch in Iraq and the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Organization.
Nr. 2005-09-30/1
Iraq, Baghdad, 30th of September 2005
Subject: The draft Iraqi Constitution concerning the indigenous Christian Aramean people
The Most Honourable Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad Embassy of the United States APO AE 09316 Baghdad, Iraq
Dear Mr. Ambassador;
The Arameans of Aram-Naharaim foundation is an international cultural and human rights organization to defend worldwide interests of the indigenous Christian Aramean (not to be confused with Armenians) people of Mesopotamia who have been present in the Cradle of Civilization for thousands of years. They have made a great contribution to world civilizations, in particular through their Aramaic language, spoken by Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ. This ancient Semitic people, now divided into several denominations and spread throughout the Middle East, amount to approximately 4-5 million people worldwide.
The three archbishops of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch in Iraq, write you this letter together with the Arameans of Aram-Naharaim foundation to make you aware of the existence of the indigenous Christian Aramean people in Iraq and ask your sincere help to include them in official documents and statements as a distinct ethnic minority in order to give them the possibility to attain their rights in the new Iraq.
In order to introduce our people in short to you, we have prepared a historical overview about the indigenous Aramean people including the testimonies of brilliant historians of both the West-Syrian and the East-Syrian Church of Antioch. The historical overview discusses the Aramean origin of the various denominations which, today, are labelled with exotic names because of the intervention of the Western missionaries in 16th and 19th century.
The culture, history, language and faith of the Aramean people have attracted the attention of many people including scientists, artists, linguistics, clergy and laymen. The Italian film producer Giacomo Pezalli, for example, was so impressed by the history of one of the oldest existing Semitic people in the world that he decided to make a film about the Aramean people entitled The Hidden Pearl: The Aramaic Heritage of the Syrian Orthodox Church [1]. The script for the film was written, amongst others, by professor Sebastian P. Brock, a professor at Oxford University.[2] Professor Brock specializes in Hebrew, Aramaic and Syrian Orthodox Church history. This marvellous and breathtaking scientific multimedia project can serve as a source of information for those who are interested in the culture, religion and history of one of the oldest Semitic people of the Middle East, who have been living in this part of the world for thousands of years.
(If you are interested in a copy of the Hidden Pearl please let us know, we would be honoured to provide you with a copy).
The contribution of the Aramean people to world civilizations is well summarized by professor Brock as he says, “Almost all societies are dependent upon the use of writing, but very few peoples realise that the great majority of the world’s scripts can be traced back to a common ancestor, an alphabet invented in the Middle East four thousands years ago, which was subsequently refined by the Phoenicians and the Aramaeans who spread it throughout the known world. It is thus without doubt one of the greatest gifts of the Aramean peoples to world culture.” (Hidden Pearl volume I: Page 27) [3] “…Nevertheless it is undeniable that the simple Aramaic alphabet of 22 letters has had the most extraordinary impact on the development of alphabetic writing systems throughout the world. Indeed, it is very hard to imagine how human culture and scientific learning could have progressed without (the Aramaic language).” (Page 58)
Unfortunately, this contribution of the Aramean people to world civilization is neither recognized nor rewarded today.
History clearly testifies that Arameans are the original inhabitants of Aram-Naharaim, mentions that this part of the world bears their name, marks their contribution to world civilizations, bears with them ancient Christianity, bears with them an antique and rich heritage which has been developed and preserved for thousands of years (which is we believe not only our heritage but the heritage of mankind as well) and yet presently the indigenous Christian Aramean people of Mesopotamia are discriminated against and excluded as if they do not exist!
For example, in many speeches made by the United States administration and in official documents, the Aramean people in Iraq were excluded. To clarify this, a few examples are given below:
President Bush: (October 7, 2002) “The oppression of Kurds, Assyrians, Turkomans, Shi'a, Sunnis and others…..” President Bush: (March 16, 2003) “…..All the Iraqi people -- its rich mix of Sunni and Shiite Arabs, Kurds, Turkomen, Assyrians, Chaldeans,…” President Bush: (April 28, 2003) “Whether you're Sunni or Shia or Kurd or Chaldean or Assyrian or Turkoman or Christian or Jew or Muslim …” Zalmay Khalilzad: (April 17, 2003) “... the mosaic of Sunni and Shiite Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Yazidis and others…” These are a few examples; however Dr. Khalilzad, the indigenous Christian Aramean people in Iraq are completely ignored and excluded. These and other statements have served as a catalyst or domino-effect resulting in numerous articles published in the American media and elsewhere whereby the heirs of the ancient heritage were ignored. [3] The direct result of this exclusion can be found in the first version of the draft of Iraqi Constitution. Under Part Six: LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS: Article (135) we read (assuming that the translation is correct): “This constitution guarantees the administrative, political, cultural, educational rights for the various ethnicities such as Turkomen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and the other components, and this is regulated through a law.” No mention of the Aramean people, yet the product of the western spiritual colonialism are being glorified. The Aramean people are peaceful minded, living according to the ten commandments, showing respect, dignity and love to their neighbours and always respecting the law of the countries in which they reside. They show others the example of love and brotherhood. In contrast to other peoples they never resorted to the path of intolerance, fanaticism and violent uprising. On the contrary their motto has always been: loving and respecting your neighbour like yourself! The path of intolerance and fanaticism however has opened the way for bloodshed, hatred and genocide. Sadly, the Aramean policy of peaceful cooperation based on love, brotherhood, respect, equality and mutual understanding is neither rewarded nor received with open arms as we have showed to you!
Regarding the indigenous Aramean people of Aram-Naharaim, please allow us to remind you of the words of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who recommended the people of Israel to recite the following words, “My ancestor was a wandering Aramean, who took his family to Egypt to live.” (Deuteronomy 26:4-5)
What is the reason behind the words of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to the people of Israel to remember their father as an “Aramean”? The Aramean people are the indigenous people of Iraq and are completely ignored and excluded as if they do not exist! Why? Would it not be fair and in agreement with the historical facts to include this Semitic people, with an incredible and majestic heritage, in your statements and the official documents as well?
Request
In order to preserve, maintain and promote the genuine Aramean heritage and to defend their fundamental human rights, it is of crucial importance that the international community is made aware of the existence of the indigenous Aramean Christian remnant in Iraq. In addition, to do justice to the historical facts as well as to demonstrate respect to the testimonies of the spiritual giants of the Syrian Church of Antioch, (who all one by one excelled in their wisdom and knowledge in comparison with their contemporaries) the Aramean indigenous people of Aram-Naharaim should be presented in a most appropriate and correct way in the Constitution of Iraq. Our people have been discriminated against, excluded, violated and faced with ethnic cleansing, genocides and continuous persecutions for hundreds of years. In addition, they became victim of the Western Spiritual colonialism of 16th and 19th century which damaged and fragmented our nation severely (in the name of Jesus Christ). What has been done to the indigenous Aramean people, in the name of faith, education and development can be considered as a kind of spiritual genocide in the sense of creating hatred, division and identity distortion. For this reason we believe that it is the moral obligation of the West, in particular the United States of America the superpower in our days, to help the defenceless and peaceful-minded indigenous Aramean people to attain their cultural, social and human rights not only in Iraq but in the entire region of the Middle East. I wish to conclude this letter by repeating the words of Henry J. Hyde in a letter to Colin Powell,
“We have an important interest in maintaining our special place in history as the protector of those who are in need.”[4]
Respectfully yours,
Gabriel Sengo President Arameans of Aram-Naharaim Organization P.O. Box 178 7550 AD Hengelo(Ov.) ; Netherlands E-mail: info@aramnahrin.org
Endorsed and approved by the three archbishops of the West- Aramean Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch in Iraq, representing around 80,000 adherents.
[1]= The Hidden Pearl: Three thousands years of Aramean history, culture and faith. http://www.aramnaharaim.org/film_arameans.htm [2]= http://www.orinst.ox.ac.uk/staff/brock.shtml [3]= We have prepared a big report about this misinformation in the press and elsewhere regarding the Aramean people. If you are interested, we would be happy to send you a copy of this report. [4]= Letter sent by Henry J. Hyde to Colin Powell, date: August 8, 2002
Copyright © Aram-Nahrin Organisation
|
Letters to governments and international institutions
Aramean Spiritual/ Physical Genocide
Fake News on the Aramean nation:
1-12-2009: Aramean Organizations sent a letter to the new elected president of the European Union
10-14 August 2009: Aram-Naharaim attends the annual meeting of the UN Expert Mechanism On the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Statement on the situation of the Aramean people in Syria, Turkey and Iraq
25-4-2008: Aramean Organisations ask for protection of Aramean spiritual leaders in Iraq
22-8-2007: Aram-Nahrin sends a letter to President George Bush, President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Gordon Brown
31 July - 4 August 2006: Aram-Naharaim attends the 24th session of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations
* Aramaic language in danger: Shall the language of Abraham, Moses and Jesus disappear?
* Proposal: Media Ombudsman for Indigenous Peoples.
* Report of Aram-Naharaim: A great success for the Aramean cause …. the Arameans and the UN…..
20-10-2005: Aram-Naharaim in action for the Arameans in Iraq
18-22 July 2005: Aram-Naharaim attends the 23rd session of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations: A statement on “Spiritual Colonialism and the decline of the Indigenous Aramean people of Aram-Nahrin”
19-23 July 2004: Aram-Naharaim attends the 22nd session of the Working Group on the Indigenous Populations. Statement: The exclusion and discrimination of the Indigenous Aramean people of Mesopotamia (Aram-Naharaim)
|
