Tweet
Let Us Extend a Hand As a Nation to the Syrian Armenians
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2012/08/16/let-us-extend-a-hand-as-a-nation-to-the-syrian-armenians/
Opinion | August 16, 2012 10:34 am
By Panos Titizian
The revolutionary winds of the `Arab Spring' which began in Tunisia
and continued in Algeria, Yemen, Libya and Egypt for 17 months have
now turned Syria's capital, Damascus, and its large cities of Aleppo
and Kamishli, into scenes of bloody battles. Over 80 percent of the
Syrian Armenians live in these three cities.
Bloody and destructive struggles in any Arab country due to political,
religious or ethnic reasons can only cause sorrow for the Armenian
people. The Armenian people is not only forever grateful to the Arab
countries for opening widely their doors and hearts on the morrow of
the Genocide to the children of the exiled Armenian people, accepting
them and providing them with the possibility of earning their
livelihood through work - and especially the humane and noble behavior
of the hospitable people of Syria. It is also profoundly in
commiseration with them as a result of the terrible crisis which they
are now experiencing.
Our hope and desire is that a positive solution is found as soon as
possible to this crisis, which is of a destructive nature for all
parties, and the guns and bombs fall silent. By carrying out an
acceptable solution for all sides, peace and calm will reign once more
throughout Syria's territory.
At the same time, we are aware that hopes and desires without real,
practical steps remain solely wishes and dreams, especially in our
case, if we Armenians do not help by all possible means and do not
take tangible initial steps to extend financial, physical, spiritual
and moral aid to our Syrian-Armenian brothers and sisters.
In this vein, the communiqué of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) several days ago in the Armenian press is very encouraging and
comforting. Among other things, it said:
In preparation for the imminent need for humanitarian assistance that
is emerging as a result of the unfolding political crisis in Syria,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is committed to taking
action to help the Armenian community in distress, this time in Syria.
The Central Board of Directors moved to set aside an AGBU Emergency
Fund for Humanitarian Assistance to the Armenian Community in Syria,
in the amount of $1 million.
A special task force, in cooperation with the District Committee of
Syria, is in the process of assessing the emerging needs, to create
the appropriate logistics in compliance with federal and international
guidelines, to help and support the Armenian community there.
Necessary arrangements are also underway in AGBU's centers locally in
Aleppo, Damascus and Kamishli, to make them operational hubs for
coordinating the relief efforts, extending help to families in other
locations as well, wherever the need arises. They will also be
prepared to accommodate those who may have to be temporarily moved out
of their homes. The possibility of making AGBU facilities in Cyprus
available as temporary shelter for families, who may need to move out
of the country, is under consideration.
AGBU is in close communication with officials in Armenia to be
appraised of the diplomatic efforts and social and organizational
initiatives being taken to address the situation.
As we see, this great Union, born from the sorrows of the Armenian
people, brought to life by Boghos Nubar Pasha and his friends in Cairo
106 years ago with the noble patriotic and humanitarian ideas of
taking care of the needs of the Armenian people, which without
discrimination has come to the aid of all the children of our people
uprooted from its historic lands and wandering the five continents of
the world - the orphan and the widow, the sick and needy, the victim
of earthquake, the seeker of education, and those who need basic
sustenance and shelter in order to live - again carries out its
historical and honorable role.
It is not amazing that the AGBU, which enlisted in the holy mission of
patriotism, philanthropy and dedication in the life of our people, had
successive presidents imbued with clear-sightedness and patriotism,
Mihran Karagheuzian, Calouste Gulbenkian, Alex Manoogian and his
daughter, Louise Manoogian Simone, and the present energetic, idealist
president Berge Setrakian, Esq., who, taking the torch passed on from
Boghos Nubar Pasha, served with the same resolve of will, spirit and
dedication, and continue to serve today. The proof is the reassuring
press release which we have mentioned above.
Consequently, it is necessary not to leave the AGBU alone in its
service to the nation. The pain of the Syrian Armenians, the demand to
become its remedy, must become an imperative for all Armenians, both
in Armenia and the diaspora, including all our political, religious,
philanthropic, social and youth organizations and institutions.
Without a doubt when the challenge is of a pan-Armenian nature, the
assistance, the response, must also be of a pan-Armenian resonance and
magnitude.
In this sense, we are sure that all the children of our people,
whatever ideal, creed or conviction they may have, spurred on by the
historical imperative of the moment, hand in hand with the Central
Executive of the Armenian General Benevolent Union and its energetic
president, encouraging one another, will provide the necessary
assistance to one of the most vital, steadfast citadels of our
diaspora, worthy of gratitude - the glorious Syrian Armenians.
(Panos Titizian is an ADL leader. This article was translated into
English from the original Armenian.)
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2012/08/16/let-us-extend-a-hand-as-a-nation-to-the-syrian-armenians/
Opinion | August 16, 2012 10:34 am
By Panos Titizian
The revolutionary winds of the `Arab Spring' which began in Tunisia
and continued in Algeria, Yemen, Libya and Egypt for 17 months have
now turned Syria's capital, Damascus, and its large cities of Aleppo
and Kamishli, into scenes of bloody battles. Over 80 percent of the
Syrian Armenians live in these three cities.
Bloody and destructive struggles in any Arab country due to political,
religious or ethnic reasons can only cause sorrow for the Armenian
people. The Armenian people is not only forever grateful to the Arab
countries for opening widely their doors and hearts on the morrow of
the Genocide to the children of the exiled Armenian people, accepting
them and providing them with the possibility of earning their
livelihood through work - and especially the humane and noble behavior
of the hospitable people of Syria. It is also profoundly in
commiseration with them as a result of the terrible crisis which they
are now experiencing.
Our hope and desire is that a positive solution is found as soon as
possible to this crisis, which is of a destructive nature for all
parties, and the guns and bombs fall silent. By carrying out an
acceptable solution for all sides, peace and calm will reign once more
throughout Syria's territory.
At the same time, we are aware that hopes and desires without real,
practical steps remain solely wishes and dreams, especially in our
case, if we Armenians do not help by all possible means and do not
take tangible initial steps to extend financial, physical, spiritual
and moral aid to our Syrian-Armenian brothers and sisters.
In this vein, the communiqué of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
(AGBU) several days ago in the Armenian press is very encouraging and
comforting. Among other things, it said:
In preparation for the imminent need for humanitarian assistance that
is emerging as a result of the unfolding political crisis in Syria,
the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is committed to taking
action to help the Armenian community in distress, this time in Syria.
The Central Board of Directors moved to set aside an AGBU Emergency
Fund for Humanitarian Assistance to the Armenian Community in Syria,
in the amount of $1 million.
A special task force, in cooperation with the District Committee of
Syria, is in the process of assessing the emerging needs, to create
the appropriate logistics in compliance with federal and international
guidelines, to help and support the Armenian community there.
Necessary arrangements are also underway in AGBU's centers locally in
Aleppo, Damascus and Kamishli, to make them operational hubs for
coordinating the relief efforts, extending help to families in other
locations as well, wherever the need arises. They will also be
prepared to accommodate those who may have to be temporarily moved out
of their homes. The possibility of making AGBU facilities in Cyprus
available as temporary shelter for families, who may need to move out
of the country, is under consideration.
AGBU is in close communication with officials in Armenia to be
appraised of the diplomatic efforts and social and organizational
initiatives being taken to address the situation.
As we see, this great Union, born from the sorrows of the Armenian
people, brought to life by Boghos Nubar Pasha and his friends in Cairo
106 years ago with the noble patriotic and humanitarian ideas of
taking care of the needs of the Armenian people, which without
discrimination has come to the aid of all the children of our people
uprooted from its historic lands and wandering the five continents of
the world - the orphan and the widow, the sick and needy, the victim
of earthquake, the seeker of education, and those who need basic
sustenance and shelter in order to live - again carries out its
historical and honorable role.
It is not amazing that the AGBU, which enlisted in the holy mission of
patriotism, philanthropy and dedication in the life of our people, had
successive presidents imbued with clear-sightedness and patriotism,
Mihran Karagheuzian, Calouste Gulbenkian, Alex Manoogian and his
daughter, Louise Manoogian Simone, and the present energetic, idealist
president Berge Setrakian, Esq., who, taking the torch passed on from
Boghos Nubar Pasha, served with the same resolve of will, spirit and
dedication, and continue to serve today. The proof is the reassuring
press release which we have mentioned above.
Consequently, it is necessary not to leave the AGBU alone in its
service to the nation. The pain of the Syrian Armenians, the demand to
become its remedy, must become an imperative for all Armenians, both
in Armenia and the diaspora, including all our political, religious,
philanthropic, social and youth organizations and institutions.
Without a doubt when the challenge is of a pan-Armenian nature, the
assistance, the response, must also be of a pan-Armenian resonance and
magnitude.
In this sense, we are sure that all the children of our people,
whatever ideal, creed or conviction they may have, spurred on by the
historical imperative of the moment, hand in hand with the Central
Executive of the Armenian General Benevolent Union and its energetic
president, encouraging one another, will provide the necessary
assistance to one of the most vital, steadfast citadels of our
diaspora, worthy of gratitude - the glorious Syrian Armenians.
(Panos Titizian is an ADL leader. This article was translated into
English from the original Armenian.)