Tweet
Armenian Observer
August15, 2012
Armenians in Syria Need Everyone's Help
By Prof. Osheen Keshishian
The Syrian political upheaval and unrest, the killings,
kidnappings, plundering have been going on for over a year. And it
seems that there is no immediate abating or an end to the sad
situation. International observers, statesmen and experts (sometimes
starting themselves the situation), do not see a ray of hope for the
betterment of the situation for the time being. A tense and
unpredictable situation exists, which has claimed the lives of more
than 18,000 people, according to the Human Rights Defense
Organization.
Without delving into the reasons, circumstances, and the
political ramifications, it is only proper to save the lives of the
rest of the population.
Following the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman
Turkish government, the Armenian people had thousands and thousands of
orphans and refugees who were scattered all over the Middle East.
Syria was one of the countries that extended a helping hand to
thousands of refugees, including my parents and grandparents, who were
saved from the Genocide and for a while lived in Aleppo, Syria, in a
most hospitable atmosphere and which became a safe haven for most of
the Armenians.
The Armenian community had reached close to 150,000 and it
thrived in many ways during the past 100 years heritage-wise as many
Armenian schools and orphanages were opened, artistic, athletic and
cultural associations were established, theater groups present
Armenian and non-Armenian plays, churches were consecrated, Armenian
medical dispensaries served thousands of people, books were published
and most of all Armenian daily newspapers thrived in Aleppo. Armenians
also slowly helped the business world in Syria.
Once the active hub of Armenian life of the Diaspora, the
condition in Syria has dramatically changed and the Armenians as well
as the general population need assistance immediately.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) gallantly
earmarked $1 million for the Armenians in Syria, the Armenian Relief
Society and other organizations have come forward to assist the
community.
Some Armenians wanted to go to Armenia, a short flight
from Syria, to either live there permanently or for a short time. And
many did, after all they had to save their lives. After some
hesitation, Armenia finally decided to help. Armenia instituted a
simplified procedure for granting Armenian citizenship to thousands of
Armenians from Syria, Aleppo and Damascus. Actually, they should be
able to receive their visas at Yerevan Airport, like U.S. and European
Union nationals. Although the laws are changing every week, it is not
clear as yet as to how people will get their visas. Thousands of
Syrian-Armenians have already moved to the Motherland, however, there
is no exact figure or a close count, since every week the number is
augmenting.
There is an emergency situation in Syria and the whole
world knows about it. The once active Armenian community is on the
verge of collapse and disintegration. Armenians all over the world
cannot remain indifferent and idle. They should rise to the occasion
and without wasting time or mincing words, extend a helping hand to
their brothers and sisters in these times of distress in an urgent
fashion.
Time is flying and they need our serious assistance if we
expect to survive as a people.
August15, 2012
Armenians in Syria Need Everyone's Help
By Prof. Osheen Keshishian
The Syrian political upheaval and unrest, the killings,
kidnappings, plundering have been going on for over a year. And it
seems that there is no immediate abating or an end to the sad
situation. International observers, statesmen and experts (sometimes
starting themselves the situation), do not see a ray of hope for the
betterment of the situation for the time being. A tense and
unpredictable situation exists, which has claimed the lives of more
than 18,000 people, according to the Human Rights Defense
Organization.
Without delving into the reasons, circumstances, and the
political ramifications, it is only proper to save the lives of the
rest of the population.
Following the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman
Turkish government, the Armenian people had thousands and thousands of
orphans and refugees who were scattered all over the Middle East.
Syria was one of the countries that extended a helping hand to
thousands of refugees, including my parents and grandparents, who were
saved from the Genocide and for a while lived in Aleppo, Syria, in a
most hospitable atmosphere and which became a safe haven for most of
the Armenians.
The Armenian community had reached close to 150,000 and it
thrived in many ways during the past 100 years heritage-wise as many
Armenian schools and orphanages were opened, artistic, athletic and
cultural associations were established, theater groups present
Armenian and non-Armenian plays, churches were consecrated, Armenian
medical dispensaries served thousands of people, books were published
and most of all Armenian daily newspapers thrived in Aleppo. Armenians
also slowly helped the business world in Syria.
Once the active hub of Armenian life of the Diaspora, the
condition in Syria has dramatically changed and the Armenians as well
as the general population need assistance immediately.
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) gallantly
earmarked $1 million for the Armenians in Syria, the Armenian Relief
Society and other organizations have come forward to assist the
community.
Some Armenians wanted to go to Armenia, a short flight
from Syria, to either live there permanently or for a short time. And
many did, after all they had to save their lives. After some
hesitation, Armenia finally decided to help. Armenia instituted a
simplified procedure for granting Armenian citizenship to thousands of
Armenians from Syria, Aleppo and Damascus. Actually, they should be
able to receive their visas at Yerevan Airport, like U.S. and European
Union nationals. Although the laws are changing every week, it is not
clear as yet as to how people will get their visas. Thousands of
Syrian-Armenians have already moved to the Motherland, however, there
is no exact figure or a close count, since every week the number is
augmenting.
There is an emergency situation in Syria and the whole
world knows about it. The once active Armenian community is on the
verge of collapse and disintegration. Armenians all over the world
cannot remain indifferent and idle. They should rise to the occasion
and without wasting time or mincing words, extend a helping hand to
their brothers and sisters in these times of distress in an urgent
fashion.
Time is flying and they need our serious assistance if we
expect to survive as a people.