Category: 2019

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Tuesday and discussed issues of importance to the Syrian-Armenian community and to current situation in the country.

During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, Aram I expressed gratitude for the state funds allocated by the President’s staff for the renovation of the Forty Martyrs Church in Aleppo and recalled the Syrian people’s generosity in taking in refugee survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

The Catholicos also highlighted the important role the Armenian community has played in the advancement of Syria’s political, cultural and societal life, saying that Syrian-Armenian community is important for both Syria and Armenia.

He also acknowledged the Syrian government’s continued support of the Armenian Cause.

Assad affirmed that Syria was and always will be the home of all its people, regardless of religion or ethnicity, lauding the “patriotic role of Armenian Syrians who embody the values and meanings of citizenship, belonging, and national unity in the face of adversity.”

The Syrian president called on all Syrian-Armenians who have left the country during the tensions there to return to Syria “and rebuild their homes and workplaces,” assuring that the Armenian community of Syria will continue to enjoy the government’s support.

The Catholicos was accompanied to the meeting by Aleppo Prelate Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian; Lebanon’s Tourism Minister Avedis Kitanian; the Armenian members of the Syrian Parliament Nora Arisian and Zhirayr Reyisian; member of Catholicosate Executive Council Hrach Hagopian; member of the Aleppo Prelacy’s Executive Council Garo Youzbashian and his staff bearer Abbot Hovakim Banjarjian.

BY HARUT SASSOUNIAN

Last week, I reported on Azerbaijan’s violations of religious freedom as documented in the most recent Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. My article this week covers religious violations in Turkey as reported by USCIRF, a U.S. Federal government agency.

The Annual Report revealed that, “in 2018, the state of religious freedom in Turkey remained deeply troubling, raising serious concerns that the country’s current trajectory will lead to the further deterioration of conditions in the year ahead. The lack of any meaningful progress on the part of the Turkish government to address longstanding religious freedom issues was continued cause for concern.”

“Many serious limitations on the freedom of religion or belief continued, threatening the continued vitality and survival of minority religious communities in the country; in addition, increased demonization and a smear campaign by government entities and pro-government media contributed to a growing climate of fear among religious minority communities. The Turkish government continued to interfere in the internal affairs of religious communities, disallowing patriarchal elections for the Armenian Apostolic Church and maintaining its requirement that Greek Orthodox metropolitans obtain Turkish citizenship in order to participate in the church’s Holy Synod,” read the report.

Furthermore, the USCIRF stated that, “followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen,” who was the political supporter of President Recep tayyip Erdogan earlier in his career, “continued to be dismissed from public service, detained, and arrested in the tens of thousands for alleged complicity in the July 2016 failed coup attempt or involvement in terrorist activity. The Turkish government has indiscriminately designated those affiliated with Gülen as part of a terrorist organization. Government officials also continued to engage in anti-Semitism in the form of public statements and comments made on social media platforms, while pro-government newspapers and media outlets propagated hate speech directed against both Christians and Jews.”

In the past three years, since the failed coup attempt of July 2016 to overthrow Erdogan, the Turkish government dismissed over 150,000 public servants, and arrested tens of thousands accusing them of plotting the coup and being involved in terrorism. In addition, 68 journalists—the most in any country—have been jailed, over 150 media outlets were closed down, and the government took control of most independent media companies.

Furthermore, the USCIRF reports the following religious violations in Turkey:

1. Students in public schools, including Alevis, are forced to take the Islamic course of “Religious Culture and Moral Knowledge.” Armenians, Greeks, Jews and atheists have been given exemptions. Students and their parents seeking exemption have to undergo a long arduous process or pursue their claims in court.
2. The Turkish government interferes in the internal affairs of both Greek and Armenian communities by restricting the ordination of clergy to Turkish citizenship. Since the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey was incapacitated in 2010, the Turkish government has not allowed the Armenian community to elect a new Patriarch.
3. “Alevis constitute the largest religious minority in Turkey [estimated 10 to 25 million]. However, the government has long classified Alevis as Muslim and subsequently failed to recognize them as a religious community distinct from majority Sunni Muslims. Despite a February 2015 ruling issued by the European Court of Human Rights, the government has yet to take steps to exempt Alevi students from attending compulsory religious classes that are based primarily on the Sunni understanding of Islam,” according to the USCIRF Annual Report.
4. There is widespread anti-Semitism in the pro-government print and social media. According to the Hrant Dink Foundation, there were 427 instances of anti-Jewish hate speech from January to April 2018. Turkish politicians also frequently make anti-Semitic comments.
5. The Protestant community also continued to be the target of hate speech. The European Court of Human Rights found Turkey violated the rights of the Foundation of Seventh-day Adventists. In addition, “Jehovah’s Witnesses are denied the right to conscientious objection to military service and face prosecution, fines, and imprisonment for the exercise of their beliefs,” USCIRF reported.
6. “The Armenian Patriarchate has been seeking the return of the Sanasaryan Han in Istanbul—a property previously used for the education of Armenian children—that the government seized in 1935. The Greek Orthodox Foundation on Bozcaada Island has also yet to receive the title deeds for 11 properties, despite a September 2014 decision rendered by the Council of Foundations to transfer the deeds. The Greek Orthodox Theological School of Halki, also known as Halki Seminary, has been closed and unable to educate or train clergy since 1971,” according to the USCIRF.

The USCIRF urged the US government to pressure Turkey to comply with all provisions of religious freedom and take appropriate corrective measures!

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Tuesday met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the Armenian leader has been invited to participate in the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations.

“Our two peoples represent ancient civilizations. Armenian manuscripts describe relations between the two peoples dating back to the 5th century. These ties were of commercial, humanitarian and political nature. Constructive and productive relations with China are very important for us,” Pashinyan told Xi.

Xi said China views the ongoing development of relations with Armenia in various areas as an important aspect of its foreign policy and highlighted the strong Armenian-Chinese cultural and historical bond.

“We know the Armenian people very well. We know the names of Aram Khachaturian, Artem Mikoyan, Hovhannes Tumanyan. We are united with the general goals of cooperation of civilizations. We are well aware of the key historical events of Armenia. We are confident that the tragic events which happened to the Armenian people will not occur in the future,” Xi said.

The Chinese leader said his country is ready to take part in the construction of the North-South highway and the implementation of other infrastructure projects. He also referenced the successful inclusion of Armenian products in various trade exhibitions in China, as well as their introduction in the Chinese market.

Xi expressed confidence that bilateral cooperation will further develop in commercial, industrial, transport, cultural and humanitarian sectors, adding that China will also provide support to projects which will contribute to Armenia’s development and enhancing the quality of life for the Armenian people.

Highlighting the importance of advancing relations with China as a top priority for his government, Pashinyan said that official Yerevan was interested in implementing joint projects in transportation—specifically railway development—and information technologies.

Pashinyan briefed Xi on recent developments in Armenia as well as the Karabakh conflict, which both leaders said must be resolved peacefully.

Accompanying Pashinyan on his trip to China are Armenia’s Minister of Transportation, Communication and IT Hakob Arshakyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to China Sergey Manasaryan, his chief adviser, aide and spokesperson Arsen Gasparyan, Hrachya Tashchyan and Vladimir Karapetyan.

Independent Journalist Peter Musurlian, of Globalist Films, just capped off his 20-year Los Angeles broadcasting career with three more nominations for L.A. Press Club SoCal Journalism Awards, for a total of 10 over the past six years.

Since 2002, Musurlian has also garnered two Los Angeles Area Emmys, nine Emmy nominations, and 24 RTNA Golden Mikes.

On May 14, Musurlian was nominated in the Feature Documentary category for, “Holocaust Soliloquy,” which chronicled the effort of Holocaust Survivor Peter Fischl to educate young people about bigotry. The 52-minute epic was shot exclusively by Musurlian over 18 years — in the U.S., Hungary, and Poland — and was also nominated for Best Videographer.

The documentary aired on Los Angeles PBS Station KLCS, and was shepherded through 90 percent of the process by then-KLCS General Manager, Sabrina Fair Thomas, from the film’s inception until her untimely death in October 2016.

The second documentary, “Armenian-Americans in Politics,” was nominated in an online category for reporting on minority issues. Musurlian teamed up with Roupen Berberian and Maggie Goshin, to produce the film for a March 2018 academic conference, which celebrated 400 years of Armenians in America.

In the documentary, Musurlian interviews, Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, California State Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian and Anthony Portintino, Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian, Congressman David Valadao, ANCA Board Chair Nora Hovsepian, Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, and political consultants Elen Asatryan and the legendary Ken Khachigian.

Watch the documentaries.

“It’s a cliche, but it really is an honor to be nominated,” Musurlian said, who recently moved to Washington.

“Since I’m up against HBO, KCET, PBS SoCal, and KNBC, I will not get my hopes up too high. But it’s gratifying enough to see what I view as such important work — on the Holocaust and on political involvement — right alongside the best journalism in Los Angeles.”

A full list of nominees is available at: www.lapressclub.org. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 30 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.

Three members of the AYF Juniors Pasadena “Nigol Touman” Chapter are giving back to Armenia. 14 year old Kareen Manuelian, 17 year old Areni Hamparian, and 16 year old Zabelle Hamparian have found ways to utilize the skills, knowledge and experience they have gained as AYF Juniors to pursue their personal passions and love for service.

Manuelian has been supporting homeless dogs in Armenia, and the Hamparian sisters look to renovate a soccer field in the town of Ashan, situated in the Martuni region of Artsakh.

“I believe that you are never too young or too old to make a difference. My goal is to make positive changes in my local community and in my homeland—to be the voice for voiceless animals,” said Manuelian. “I recently discovered a non-profit based in Armenia called Dogs of Gyumri and have since supported their work to promote the well-being of animals through education, information, and advocacy.” Manuelian has recently been conducting presentations regarding the current condition of dogs in Armenia. Funds she raises from supporters help secure food, crates, and toys for dogs.

Having held soccer as a major part of their lives, the Hamparian sisters recently decided to begin Kickoff for Artsakh fundraiser to renovate a soccer field in Ashan. “My sister and I have found joy playing soccer for so many years, and we want to give back to the homeland that has given so much to us,” said Areni.

Ashan, located near the line of contact with Azerbaijan, is home to many heroes who were active participants in the Artsakh liberation movement, and to some who gave their lives for the freedom of our people. The field the Hamparian sisters would like to see renovated is on a plot of land that needs substantial improvement.

“This project aims to bring a beautiful soccer field to the kids of Ashan, so that they can use the sport as a means of bringing the youth together through healthy competition, physical activity, and happiness,” said Hamparian.

“While the welfare of dogs in Armenia or the renovation of a soccer field in Artsakh, may not be a high priority concern for some, these members are commendable for their desire to implement change through their unique personal interests,” said Talin Saklarian, the AYF Juniors Pasadena Chapter director.

“Our members are taught to serve and love their communities and homeland through educational activities that teach them hands-on organizational skills,” said Saklarian. “I am pleased and fulfilled by their desires to connect personal passions with service to the homeland and look forward to seeing more youth become active in these capacities.”

The AYF Juniors strives to nourish its members with experiences, information and resources to become ambitious and successful in their pursuit of civic, academic and career excellence, so they are best equipped to serve our communities, nation and cause. We serve our mission through active participation in our communities and during weekly gatherings held at all ten of our chapters in the Western United States. For more information or to join, visit our website, send an e-mail or call (818) 500-8883.