ZENDA - March 14, 2000

From: Subject: ZENDA - March 14, 2000 Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 11:17:53 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_003F_01C31553.77F2B710"; type="text/html" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_003F_01C31553.77F2B710 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.zindamagazine.com/html/archives/2000/zn031400.htm ZENDA - March 14, 2000 =20 Z I N D = A M A G A Z=20 I N E=20

Volume=20 VI = ; =20 Issue 4
Adaar 14,=20 6749 &nb= sp; &nbs= p; = ; = &= nbsp; &n= bsp; =20 March 14, 2000=20

To receive our weekly = notification message=20 or this issue in text format write to = z_info@zindamagazine.com.=20

T H I S W E E K I N Z I N = D=20 A

The=20 Lighthouse	U.S. Census 2000: Be Counted As Assyrian=20 Only William Daniel's "The Weakening Factor"
Good=20 Morning Bet-Nahrain	Mor Zakka Iwas to Celebrate Qorbana in=20 Antioch
News=20 Digest	Zowaa Repres Speaks at Iraqi Forum For=20 Democracy
Surfs=20 Up	"I have every right as an = Assyrian=20 to address any issue"
Surfers=20 Corner	Conference: "Assyrians After = Assyria"=20 Chicago History Class: Eastern=20 Christianity
Assyrian=20 Surfing Posts	"Shall This Nation Die?" by Rev. Joseph Naayem,=20 O.I. Syriac New Testament = References=20 Yakup Hidirsah's "Massacre of the Christians = in=20 Mesopotamia"
Literatus	My Sons, My Horses
Bravo	AAS Projects Funded by Benjamin Adams=20 Bequest
Milestones	No Entry
Pump=20 Up the Volume	Encourage and Motivate
Back=20 to the Future	The Healing Mistress of Heaven and the Healing=20 Nationalist
This=20 Week in History	William Daniel
Calendar=20 of Events	Syrian Orthodox Convention Football Tournament Kha = b'Neesan Party in=20 San Jose

All blue=20 links throughout this issue are hyperlinks to other sections on this = page or=20 featured websites.=20

THE LIGHTHOUSE=20

U.S. CENSUS 2000: BE = COUNTED AS=20 "ASSYRIAN" ONLY

The Census 2000 forms have = finally arrived=20 at our doorsteps in America. After reading hundreds of articles = and=20 listening to months of heated arguments, still a great confusion reigns = in New=20 Britain, Chicago, Turlock, and Phoenix. It is now time to = use our=20 pens to make a mark in history. Between now and April 10, over = 300,000=20 Assyrians from many religious denominations (Church of the East, = Chaldean=20 Catholic, Syrian Orthodox, and the Protestant congregations) will have = the=20 opportunity to identify themselves as individuals belonging to one = united=20 nation. While denouncing the call for the elevation of a religious = denomination to the status of a nation as perpetrated by a few religious = authorities and misguided individuals, we, the publishers of Zinda = Magazine,=20 appeal to the members of the Syriac-speaking religious groups in the = United=20 States to be counted as ASSYRIAN only. Please use the term=20 "Assyrian" in responding to each person's RACE and ANCESTORY OR ETHNIC=20 ORIGIN. Most importantly DO NOT use "Iranian", "Iraqi", "Syrian", = or=20 "Arab" to indicate your race or ethnicity. It is true that = currently the=20 Census Bureau's erroneous designation of our Syriac-speaking population = in the=20 United States as "Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac" remains in effect; but the = final=20 decision to rule out the 1990 classification has not been overturned=20 yet. Yes, we may have lost the battle due to major errors in = both=20 strategy and timing, but we can still win the war.=20

The Assyrian people are a = mixture of=20 different religious and social backgrounds. Between 1890's and = 1920's, the=20 early Assyrian immigrants to the United States came almost entirely from = the=20 Middle East. It was here in the United States that the Nationalist = ideology created a widespread sense of Assyrian identity among all = Neo-Aramaic=20 or Syriac-speaking religious denominations. The one dramatic event = of this=20 period was the election of two Syrian Orthodox Assyrians, Capt. = Alexander Ameer=20 and subsequently Dr. David Barsum Perley, JSD, to the presidency = of the=20 Assyrian-American National Federation (then Associations) from 1933 = until=20 1935. This cultural pluralism culminated in the appointment of = Assyrians=20 from all religious denominations and cultural backgrounds to the = leadership of=20 other social and political groups. Such unique sense of = democratization=20 dominated the Assyrian Nationalism until the coming of Baathism in Iraq = in the=20 1960's.=20

The use of the term=20 "Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac" is nothing new; it was first used by the = Baathist=20 regime of Iraq in the 1972 Decree # 251 (more on this in the next = issue). =20 Here for the first time, the Assyrian people were referred as =93the = Syriac=20 speaking people comprising = Athouriyoon/Kildan/Siryan=94. To the=20 Baathists Assyrians were simply Iraqi-Arab Christians who spoke a = language other=20 than Arabic, namely Syriac.=20

Enough has already been said = about the=20 disastrous consequences of accepting this historical inaccuracy. = It is now=20 time to put an end to this havoc brought on by half-a-dozen individuals = with=20 personal repugnance against Assyrian Nationalism. While claiming = unity=20 through "slashing" of our historical identity, these individuals favor = division=20 and the prominence of their churches over the general will of the = Assyrian=20 people. Lately, the "Assyrian Only" activism has received major=20 reinforcements from the political and cultural figures as well as = certain=20 Assyrian clergymen. Undoubtedly, until a unified political = leadership=20 draws the blueprint of our new manifest destiny such debacles as the = "Detroit=20 Conspiracy" will continue to hinder our progress toward realizing a = common=20 future in Bet-Nahrain.=20

Wilfred Alkhas =
Zinda Magazine

Here's how to respond to Census 2000's = Long Form=20 questions pertaining to race, ethnicity, and language:

What is this person's=20 race?
Response: = (Place an "x" in the box = for=20 "Some Other Race" and print ASSYRIAN)
&nb= sp;=20 Do not mark the box for "White"

What is this person's = ancestory or=20 ethnic origin?
Response: ASSYRIAN

Does this person speak a = language=20 other than English at home?
Response: Yes=20

What is this = language?=20
= Response: =20 SYRIAC or =20 ASSYRIAN

=20

THE WEAKENING = FACTOR=20

Thus far the strongest blow to the [Assyrian] = national unity=20 was the religious splits that were born among them and which annihilated = whatever unified strength they had left. Now they had nothing, not = even a=20 religious unity in favor of which they had abandoned all their earthly = glory,=20 military power and the severe discipline, which their forefathers had = cultivated=20 to the point of becoming their second nature. The only surviving = shadow of=20 orderliness was a thin fiber that was retained from the strong old = disciplinary=20 fabric and now was loosely introduced into the texture of ecclesiastic=20 system. In a study of all important nations of the world we cannot = fail to=20 observe how much religious owes its growth to the political protection = under the=20 sunshine of which it thrives luxuriantly and under the refuge of which = it=20 reposes with security. We can imagine the conditions of the = Assyrian=20 religious campaigns of which the success depended solely on the virtuous = conduct=20 of its members plus the indulgent but unreliable mood of non-Christian = powers=20 that dominated them politically.=20

The advent of religious schism afforded abundant = cause for=20 internal strife. We might venture to say that the former warlike = spirit=20 was reborn and cultivated under a new banner. Now the campaigns = were=20 transferred from former military battlefields to the present religious = arenas,=20 from former strategic moves against invading armies and revolting = nations to=20 quarrels with own brethren because of dogmatic differences in common=20 faith. Yes, the Assyrians had deliberately and imprudently = submitted=20 themselves to their last mortal blow.=20

During these times they identified themselves by = their=20 religious denominations. Now they chose to be called: -first, the = Church=20 of the East; later, Nestorians, then came Jacobites, Maronites, = Malakites,=20 etc. The terms Assyria and Babylon were obscenities not to be = mentioned,=20 leave alone not to be related to. Those people were heathens for = they had=20 made war on God=92s chosen people.=20

The differences in dogmatic details of religious = doctrine as=20 existed among these different factions, resulted in bitter mutual hatred = and=20 violent desire to differentiate themselves from each other so = categorically, as=20 to even deny any earlier national relationship. The giant names of = Assyria=20 and Babylon sank into depths of oblivion and in their place schismatic=20 appellations shot up like thorny bushes edging each other for=20 self-prominence. Subsequent centuries found these factions drifted = so far=20 apart that a national relationship was, not only denied, but actually = unknown;=20 neither was any racial affinity recognized among the followers of the = different=20 churches. Probably, it would be more correct to say that they were = so=20 completely overwhelmed by religious domination that there was no room = left for=20 such a profane knowledge as ethnology. Much, much later their = descendants=20 would have a tough riddle to unravel.=20

The more the religious fire was fanned, the less = consideration=20 was given to material things, which resulted in serious shortages of = necessities=20 of life. The descendants of the two of the richest and mightiest = empires=20 often fed on misery and drank tears of bitterness. What with rough = handling, submission to plunder and pillage, often they were reduced to = the=20 lowest dregs of poverty. So it is not surprising to learn what an = easy=20 prey they became to the hunters of Western World who filtered into the = Middle=20 and Near Eastern lands with their Christian missionary banners=20 unfurled...=20

We paid the price of our ignorance and paid it dearly = too, for=20 we lost everything we had: -lives, homes, gardens, cattle and worst of = all we=20 lost footing with the powers in whose lands we had been living for=20 centuries. Casualties during [the First World War] were estimated = to be=20 about 45% of the then existing population.=20

...The experience opened our eyes; we learned to = differentiate=20 between religious fervor and national zeal. Until then we had = identified=20 ourselves by our religious denominations plus a misnomer =96 SOORAYI =96 = for which=20 our thanks are tendered primarily to Greek historians and late to the = foreign=20 missionaries. But now a National identity began to shine like the = Morning=20 Star. Now the exhortations of personalities like Freidoun = Atooraya,=20 Benjamin Arsanis, Shlemon of Salamas and in the U.S. the fiery speeches = of Yoel=20 Warda and the revelatory pen of Yosep Malick began to make sense. = Now the=20 seed of Nationalism, whether for good or for bad, had been sown; but it = still=20 had to fight for existence among the deep rooted poisonous weeds of = religious=20 fanaticism and ignorant strong-headedness...Later the names of = Professors Ashur=20 Youssef, Naoum Faik, Dr. A.K. Youssef and last but not least Dr. David = B.=20 Perley...were added to the list of torch bearers...=20

But the power and control of the churches over the = people=20 stayed as firm as ever. The preacher's authority was not, in the = least=20 bit, diminished.=20

Whereas in all the Christian world, preachers and = devotees have=20 begun to interpret the scriptures in a more practical manner, a way more = compatible with the time; the majority of Assyrians accept the holy book = literally instead of symbolically. The preacher's command = today, as=20 it was centuries ago, stands supreme. Consequently, in spite of = the=20 awakening that caused a mild social upheaval, the power of Church is as = firm as=20 ever. One small breath of its representative is enough to = deviate=20 the successful sailing of any new social project. To the already = existing=20 chaos of religious split one other social one other social confusion had = been=20 added =96 a state of absence of purpose. One more dissolving = element had=20 sprung up, for besides churches against one another, now we had added = one=20 organization against another, one club or group fighting the = other. But=20 all these developments did not, in the least, interfere with the way of = the=20 preacher. The more the social chaos the stronger his position=20 became.=20

William Daniel = (1903-1988)
Excerpts = from=20 "Assyrians of Today, Their Problem, and A Solution"
Chicago, 1969
=20

GOOD MORNING = BET-NAHRAIN=20

MOR ZAKKA IWAS TO CELEBRATE = QORBANA IN=20 ANTIOCH

(ZNSO: Damascus) = According to the=20 Syrian Orthodox News, on 2 April 2000, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Zakka I = Iwas,=20 Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church will celebrate the liturgy of = the divine=20 mysteries in Antioch, Turkey. According to this report, the seat = of the=20 Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch was in the city of Antioch until = AD 518,=20 when Patriarch St. Severus was deposed and forced by Justinian I to flee = from=20 the city. The Church established by St. Peter in A.D. 37 is in a = cave and=20 is now maintained by by the government of Turkey as a=20 museum.=20

Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas will = then visit=20 Malankara, India between April 7 and 12. to preside at the consecration = of the=20 Knanaya Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan Qooberneeyto Hakeemo H.E. Mor = Clemis=20 Abraham. Mor Zakka I Iwas previously visited India in 1982 on the = occasion=20 of the 50th Dokhrana of the late Patriarch St. Elias III. The = Patriarch=20 will be accompanied by ten other Syrian Orthodox metropolitans from = Middle East,=20 Europe and the U.S. The Patriarch is expected to visit the St. = Thomas=20 Church in North Parur the Mor Ignatius Monastery in Manjinikkara, where = the=20 remains of Patriarch Elias III are interred. His Holiness = will=20 consecrate the St. Peter's Church, New Delhi before returning to=20 Damascus.=20

Source: Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan =
=20

NEWS DIGEST=20

ZOWAA REP SPEAKS AT IRAQI FORUM = FOR=20 DEMOCRACY

(ZNDA: Los Angeles) Mr. Rommel Eliah, the = U.S. and=20 Canada Representative of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) was a = guest=20 speaker at the Iraqi Forum For Democracy Town Hall Meeting held on 26 = February=20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Anaheim, California. The following = is a=20 summary of Mr. Elieh's speech as printed by the IraqNet report:=20

"We, at the Assyrian Democratic Movement, have = expressed=20 ourselves since the inception of our movement in 1990 toward a peaceful = and=20 democratic Iraq. Peace and democracy is in our people's best = interest,=20 therefore we reject dictatorship and work with the rest of the Iraqi = opposition=20 to achieve our goals. We have participated in the Beirut, the = Vienna, and=20 the Salahuldeen Conferences within the newly established Iraqi National=20 Congress. Today, within part of the liberated Iraq, we organize our = political,=20 social and educational activities. We are struggling to maintain our = identity=20 through peaceful co-existence with the rest of the Iraqi people. We, the = Assyrians, believe that we are the indigenous population of Iraq. We = work=20 together, in peace and harmony, with the other ethnic group in our = country and=20 believe that peace and democracy will serve the entire Iraqi = population.=20

For the past 3 decades, Iraq has been subjected to a = ruthless=20 dictatorship that has destroyed the entire country. No one has = escaped=20 persecution, discrimination and subjugation. Every Iraqi = ethnic=20 group has suffered. The dictator is still in power inflicting more pain = on his=20 people.=20

The UN sanctions were imposed on the people due to = reckless=20 policy of its rulers. The sanctions are not working; they are punishing = the=20 people and sparing the perpetrator. The conflict between the two Kurdish = parties=20 has lost a real opportunity for the Iraqi Opposition to establish bases = for its=20 operations. The Iraqi situation is miserable in light of the = criminal gang=20 ruling the country. The solution lies with democracy, where every Iraqi = should=20 enjoy equal rights and live in peace and harmony with the rest of the = Iraqi=20 people.=20

As we enter the 21st Century, I ask: "Where are = the Iraqi=20 people abroad and what have they done to establish support groups = through the=20 Internet and today's communication age?" Our goal remains = the=20 removal of the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and the establishment of a = civil=20 society based on equality, freedom and justice for all."=20

Other speakers included Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati, = Representative of=20 the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq; Dr. Hassan Akif=20 Hammoudi, Member of the Politburo of the Iraqi Communist Party; Dr. = Barham=20 Salih, Representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan; Mr. Dhargham = Kadhum,=20 Representative of the Iraqi National Accord; and Frank Riccardone, = Coordinator=20 for the Transition in Iraq.=20

When asked about the Iraqi Opposition's successes = despite its=20 internal conflicts and whether it has agreed on a unified Constitution, = Mr.=20 Eliah responded:=20

"Politics is not about taking it all or leaving it = all; it's=20 about utilizing what is available but not forgetting what is = desirable. I=20 hear plenty of complaints from the Iraqis about the Iraqi Opposition and = how=20 weak and fragmented it has become. The Iraqi Opposition is a means and = not a=20 goal. In today=92s world unity in position among all groups is an = expression=20 of dictatorship. In a democracy, every group has its position and = opinion,=20 and each group is expected to respect other=92s views and try to work on = the=20 common basis. I agree with you that the real heroes are the Iraqi people = who are=20 living under Saddam=92s terror not me and you. The Iraqi = Opposition has not=20 yet agreed on a practical field plan to remove dictatorship neither have = they=20 agreed on a unified constitution."=20

On a different occasion a member of the audience = posed the=20 following question to the panel: "What is your plan for stopping = the=20 ethnic and political persecution of the Assyrian people in the future=20 Iraq?"=20

Mr Dhargham Kadhum replied: "It is secured in a = democracy." Dr. Bahram Salih also commented: "Allow me = to=20 differ with Mr Dhargham that democracy is not the magical word that = would solve=20 all of Iraq=92s problems. Assyrians are entitled to seek assurance = from the=20 next government about their rights and treatment. Therefore, we in = the=20 Opposition, need to study amongst ourselves the broad baselines in = regards to=20 securing the rights of the Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmen and all segments of = the=20 Iraqi population; their rights to education, publication, and the = religious and=20 cultural rights... If the Assyrians are indeed a small minority in Iraq, = then it=20 is extremely important for the majority to recognize and uphold the = rights of=20 the Assyrian people." Dr. Hamid Al Bayati also commented: "I = like to=20 add that the rights should not concern the Assyrian people only, rather = all=20 segments of the Iraqi society so that the future Iraq is for all and = represented=20 by all Iraqis equally."=20

=20

SURF'S UP!

The Right of Every = Assyrian=20

=93Further to my article, The Importance = of a=20 Name, published in Zinda Vol. V, Issue 40, page 2 of 19, dated Feb. = 1,=20 2000: It is alleged that certain persons have so easily = slandered=20 me, within the Assyrian community, saying that as a Shamasha (Deacon) it = was not=20 wise to meddle in temporal affairs. It seems certain that those passing = such=20 undigested criticism are as yet not well trained in asserting their = faculty, or,=20 they are embryonic beings in need of further human rationalism. To = refute the=20 undigested criticism I would very respectfully say that there is = absolutely no=20 scriptural precept to prevent any clergy from writing adjustive articles = because=20 Christ came to adjust the wrongs of a people supervised by = self-conceited=20 teachers -- not unlike Assyrians who are steered by unscrupulous leaders = (be=20 they religious and/or secular). Also, the mere fact that I am Assyrian = gives me=20 every right to address any issue that affects the Assyrian people. It = would not=20 matter if I were religious or not. It would not matter if I were = Catholic,=20 Presbyterian, Nestorian, Jacobite, Agnostic, Atheist, Buddhist, etc. The = only=20 thing that matters is that I am an Assyrian and I have every right as an = Assyrian to address any issue or problem facing my people - and that = includes=20 the Census 2000 dilemma.=20

In 1929 I was ordained a = Shamasha but with=20 the advent of maturity and insight gleaned from so many sacrilegious = dealings=20 exercised by the Assyrian dignitaries, I very abruptly opted to be a = constant=20 spokesman of how to desist following harmful leaders including an = absolutely=20 fossilized church administration. The Indian prophet and liberator, = Ghandi,=20 commented on Christianity and said that the religion that does = contribute=20 towards a people's well-being is not the religion preached by Jesus = Christ.=20 Meaning Christianity is pro-active. Therefore, I would be going against = my=20 Christian beliefs if I refrained from commenting on the most damaging = issue=20 revolving around the legal designation of the Assyrian people by the = U.S. Census=20 Bureau. More importantly, I would be going against my Assyrianism if I = sat back=20 and did and said nothing.=20

In conclusion, every Assyrian = regardless of=20 occupation or church affiliation (if any) has the inalienable right to = address=20 issues affecting their nation. To say that a certain group or section of = our=20 people should not say or do anything due to impropriety is reflective of = an=20 exclusive, authoritarian and dictatorial mentality. These, being the = very=20 components that drove our people to the present=20 state-of-existence.=94=20

Shamasha Yousef = Zaya=20
Chicago=20

=20

SURFERS CORNER =
CONFERENCE: "ASSYRIANS AFTER=20 ASSYRIA"

The Centre for Comparative = Genocide Studies=20 at Macquarie University and the Department of Semitic Studies at the = University=20 of Sydney will be jointly hosting an international conference on the = subject of=20 the fate of the Assyrian people after the collapse of the Assyrian = Empire (612=20 B.C. - 2000 A.D.).=20

Contrary to popular belief, the = Assyrians=20 did not disappear as a distinct group of people after the conquest of = their=20 homeland (the mountainous regions of northern Iraq, north-eastern Syria, = and=20 south-eastern Turkey). The Syriac-speaking Assyrians were amongst the = first=20 Christians and it is their faith that is in great measure due to their = survival=20 and the repeated attempts at their destruction over the = centuries.=20

This unique conference, = =93Assyrians After=20 Assyria=94, held as part of the VIIIth Symposium Syriacum and the VIth = Conference=20 on Christian Arabic Studies, will be devoted to the history of = persecution and=20 massacre which the Syriac-speaking people of the Middle East (variously = known as=20 Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syrian Orthodox, Suryianis, Arameans) have = endured,=20 particularly in the Twentieth Century.=20

Date: Friday June 30, = 2000=20
Venue: Merewether = Building, City=20 Road, University of Sydney=20

Programme:=20

9:00 am - 9:05=20 am:      Official Welcome =
9:05 am - 10:30 am:    = Presentation=20 of papers
10:30 = am - 11:00=20 am: Morning tea
11:00=20 am - 12:30 pm: Presentation of papers
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm:  =20 Luncheon
2:00 pm = - =20 3:30 pm:    Presentation of papers =
3:30 pm - 4:00 = pm:    Afternoon=20 tea
4:00 pm = - 5:00=20 pm:    Conference Review and Resolutions=20

Amongst the speakers at the = Conferences=20 will be:=20

Most Rev. Dr. Mar Aprem, Kerala, = India=20
Archbishop Julius Y. Cicek, Saint = Ephrem=20 Monastery, Netherlands
Archdeacon Dr. Wassilios=20 Klein, Bonn, Germany =
Prof. Edward Y.=20 Odisho, Department of Teacher Education,=20 North-Eastern Illinois University
Prof. Amir = Harrak, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilisations, = University=20 of Toronto
Prof. = J. F. Coakley, = Department=20 of Near Eastern Languages, Harvard University
Prof. Konrad=20 Kwiet, Centre for Comparative Genocide = Studies,=20 Macquarie University, Sydney
Dr George A. = Kiraz, New Jersey (presenting a video of a visit to Tur = Abdin, filmed=20 in April-May 1999)
Dr=20 Abdul Massih Saadi, North=20 Park University, Chicago
Panayiotis Diamadis, Centre = for=20 Comparative Genocide Studies, Macquarie University, Sydney =

An exhibition of Syriac and = Christian=20 Arabic publications by renowned international publishing houses and = booksellers=20 is planned. Amongst them will be Peeters and Brepols (Leuven,=20 Belgium).=20

A display of photographs on = Syriac and=20 Christian Arabic themes is also being planned.=20

We urge everyone with an = interest in the=20 Christian peoples of the Middle East to attend this once-in-a-lifetime = triple=20 conference.=20

To register for the = =93Assyrians After=20 Assyria=94 conference:
call=20 (02) 9850 8822; fax (02) 9850 8240; email = panayiotis.d@usa.net;=20

Panayiotis Diamadis Pontos and = Asia Minor=20 Holocaust Research Unit
Centre for Comparative Genocide Studies =
Division of Humanities =
Department of Politics =
Macquarie University, NSW, = 2109=20
Australia

CHICAGO HISTORY CLASS: = EASTERN=20 CHRISTIANITY

"Eastern Christianity in = Relation to the=20 Development of Nascent Islam"
Spring 2000
Instructor: Abdul-Massih Saadi, Ph. D.
Director, Institute of Syriac Manuscript = Studies at=20 the Lutheran School of Theology=20

Sponsored by the Assyrian Academic Society & the = Center for=20 Middle Eastern Studies, North Park University in Chicago=20

The goal of this history class = is to=20 distinguish between mythical and factual historical views of Eastern=20 Christianity, Islam, and the Eastern Christian role (mostly Assyrian) in = the=20 process of the development of nascent Islam. A variety of documents will = be=20 studied and examined in light of content and historical context. = Additionally,=20 each religion and its theology will be studied from the perspective of = the other=20 religion in various political and historical contexts. Some of the key=20 contemporary issues will be also be explored and discussed amongst the = students=20 and occasional Muslim and Christian guest scholars.=20

Reference Literature: Handouts=20 provided
Classes = Begin:=20 April 13 to June 15
Day of=20 the Week: Thursdays
Time:=20 7:00-9:00
Location: North=20 Park University
Magnusen=20 Campus Center
Room=20 M-7
Address: = 5000 N.=20 Spaulding
Chicago, IL=20 60625
Class Fee: = $70.00=20 ($50.00 for students)=20

Directions to Magnusen Campus=20 Center
East to = Foster and=20 Kedzie
South one = block to=20 Carmen
Turn = right on Carmen=20 which becomes Spaulding
Look=20 for 5000 N. Spaulding, MagnusenPlease
Class is held in the main lobby, first=20 floor
fill out = the form and=20 mail to the address indicated below.=20

Make your check payable = to: =20 Assyrian Academic Society
Send registration form to:=20

Assyrian Academic=20 Society
C/O = Education=20 Committee
P.O. = Box=20 3541
Skokie, IL=20 60076(773)=20 461-6633
www.aas.net=20 staff@aas.net=20

NAME:         &nbs= p;      =20 ________________________________________________
ADDRESS:         &= nbsp;=20 ________________________________________________
CITY, ST. ZIP    =20 ________________________________________________
PHONE:         &nb= sp;    =20 ________________________________________________
EMAIL:         &nb= sp;     =20 ________________________________________________=20

=20

MILESTONES

None =

ASSYRIAN SURFING = POSTS=20
Links to Other Assyrian=20 Websites

"Shall This = Nation Die?"=20 by Rev. Joseph Naayem, O.I.

Syriac=20 New Testament References

Yakup=20 Hidirsah's "Massacre of the Christians in=20 Mesopotamia"

=20

LITERATUS=20

MY SONS, MY = HORSES

The horses and the = chariots were=20 considered important resources in warfare and wealth in ancient = Mesopotamia and=20 the Near East. Their essential role in maintaining a balance of = power is=20 illustrated in the following letter written by a local king to another = equal=20 ruler around 1500 B.C. :=20

To Kadashman-enlil, King of = Karduniash=20 (Babylon), my brother, thus speaks Nibmuarriya (Amenophis III), the = great king=20 of Egypt: I am well; may you be well! Your house, your = wives, your=20 sons, your nobles, your horses, your chariots, your lands, may they be = very=20 well. I am well, my house, my wives, my sons, my nobles, my = horses, my=20 chariots, the numerous soldiers, as many as there are, are all well, and = in my=20 lands everything is very well.=20

The Ancient Near East, Amarna = Letters,=20 Kuhrt=20

B
=20

BRAVO=20

AAS PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY = BENJAMIN ADAMS=20 PHILANTHROPY

According to the latest issue of the Tree of = Life, the=20 newsletter of the Assyrian Aid Society of America, over $100,000 of the = total=20 $224,000 have been used so far to fund 8 educational and construction = projects=20 in northern Iraq. The AAS was one of the eight Assyrian = organizations that=20 shared the late Benjamin Adams' bequest of $1,130,000 in 1998. The = bequest=20 is to be used for the sole purpose of helping the needy Assyrian = families and=20 students. The 8 funded projects are as follow:=20

Medicine for Dohuk=20 Pharmacy           = ;    =20 $ 10,486.00
Arabic-Assyrian=20 Dictionary          &nb= sp;          =20 $    1,000.00
Assyrian High = School Text=20 Books           &n= bsp;$    5,500.00=20
School Buses for Nisibin High=20 School      $    9,500.= 00=20
Bagarat Village Irrigation=20 Project           =   =20 $  26,339.00
Enishki Village = Irrigation=20 Project           =   =20 $  14,546.00
Two Complete = Computer=20 Laboratories     $  10,060.00=20

=20

PUMP UP THE = VOLUME=20

ENGLISH	MODERN=20 ASSYRIAN	GENDER
Encourage	kha/patd/ta	Feminine
Motivate	la/bab/ta	Feminine

BACK TO THE = FUTURE

BC (1350)=20

The statue of the goddess Ishtar is sent to Egyptian = Pharaoh,=20 Amenophis III to help heal the ailing ruler of Egypt with the following=20 well-wishes: "May Shaushga (Hurrian word for Ishtar) Mistress of = Heaven,=20 protect you, my brother and myself, for 100,000 years and may our = mistress grant=20 us great joy and may we behave like friends."=20

Vorderasiastische Bibliothek 2, Die=20 El-Amarna-Tafeln, J.A. Knudtzon

AD (1924)=20

At 33, Hakim Freidoun Atouraya, Assyrian nationalist, = socialist, and physician, is arrested and one year later murdered in a = Russian=20 prison. Better known as the composer of "Ya Nishra d'Tkhumi" song, = Dr.=20 Atouraya along with two other activists founded the first Assyrian = political=20 organization in the Middle East in 1915.=20

=20

THIS WEEK IN=20 HISTORY

March 17, 1903: Born, William S.D. Daniel, author, poet, = composer and=20 political observer. Rabbie Daniel's works include musical = compositions=20 such as "Nineveh" and "Khamta d'Khelmaneh", and "The Epic of Qatineh=20 Gabbara". (See this week's THE LIGHTHOUSE)=20

CALENDAR OF = EVENTS

= until Apr 23	ENSCHDE,=20 HOLLAND HANNIBAL ALKHAS = PAINTINGS=20 EXHIBITION Sponsored by the Patriotic Revolutionaries of = BethNahrin=20 & Museium Jannink=20 Museum Jannink Haaksbergerstr=20 147 =20 The gallery opens officially on March 17 by the = Syrian=20 Orthodox Church's Bishop Yulius Cicek who lives in the Mor Afrem = Monastery=20 in Holland. Gedeputeerde Overijssel dhr. Jan Kristen and = Wethouder=20 dhr. M. Swart from Enschede will also be present. The = opening=20 ceremony will also feature Beth Nahrin folk music.=20 Phone: 053-431 9093 Fax:=20 053-430 5492
Mar = 25	SAN JOSE / SANTA=20 CLARA KHA B'NEESAN=20 PARTY Sponsored by the Assyrian American Association = of San=20 Jose=20 Entertainment: Ramsin Sheeno and Robert = Bet=20 Sayad Complimentary buffet of delicious = appetizers and finger food Westin=20 Hotel=20 5101 Great America Parkway 8:00=20 p.m. Ticket price: $35 in=20 advance $40 at the door For ticket purchase please visit or call:=20 AAA of San=20 = Jose &nb= sp;=20 408-927-8100 Every=20 Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. Etminan=20 = Market &= nbsp; =20 408-226-5992 Roomil=20 = Baba &nb= sp; =20 408-226-5008 Linda=20 = Kaldani = =20 408-356-3953 Homer=20 = Younan &= nbsp; =20 408-266-7676
Mar = 28	LONDON=20 LONDON CENTRE FOR THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST=20 LECTURE "Reading and writing cuneiform past and = present"=20 Christopher Walker 6:30=20 PM British Museum, Great Russell St. = WC1. Lecture=20 theatre. Tickets 7.50 pounds = Contact 020 7323 8566
Apr = 12	LONDON=20 LONDON CENTRE FOR THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST=20 LECTURE "Egypt through the Assyrian annals" = Paul Collins 6:00 PM = British Museum, Great Russell St. WC1. Lecture = Theatre=20 EES and BM Dept. of Egyptian = antiquities.=20 Non-EES members contact the EES 020 7242=20 1880
Apr = 28	SAN=20 FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL = CULINARY=20 EVENT Sponsored by the Assyrian = Aid Society=20 of America To raise=20 $100,000 for projects in north Iraq=20 Dinner prepared by famous = Middle=20 Eastern chefts Served=20 with finest California wines=20 Garden Court of the = Palace=20 Hotel $200 = per=20 person=20 For more information=20 contact:=20 Assyrian Aid Society = of=20 America 350 Berkeley=20 Park Boulevard Kensington, CA 94707
May = 22-26	COPENHAGEN=20 2ND INTERN. CONGRESS = ON THE=20 ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST "Near Eastern Archaeology = at the=20 Beginning of the 3d Millen. AD" Hosted by Carsten Niebuhr = Institute and the=20 University of Copenhagen. =20 Contact: Secretary = of the=20 2ICAANE Carsten=20 Niebuhr Institute Snorresgade 17 - 19 DK-2300 Copenhagen. Tel. +45 35 32 89 00; Fax. +45 35 = 32 89=20 26 e-mail: = 2icaane@coco.ihi.ku.dk.
May = 27	MODESTO=20 FIRST ASSYRIAN MIDI = COMPOSERS=20 CONFERENCE Double Tree = Hotel=20 2:00 PM-10:00 PM = PST=20 Organized by: Nineveh On = Line Click Here for more=20 information What is=20 MIDI? Click=20 Here
Jun = 10-11	FRANCE=20 FOOTBALL (SOCCER) = TOURNAMENT=20 & PARTY Sponsored by the = Association of the=20 Assyro-Chaldeans of France Champions & players will be honored at the party = following the=20 games=20 Participation Fee: = 300 Franks=20 per Team For farther=20 information: Association des Assyro-Chald=E9ens de France = :=20 T=E9l : + 33 1 39 90 87=20 11 Fax : + = 33 1 34 19=20 84 72 E-mail :=20 acc_f@club-internet.fr=20 Centre Socioculturel des=20 Assyro-Chald=E9ens de France T=E9l & Fax : + 33 1 34 04 26 47=20 Nuri = Yaramis T=E9l : + 33 1 39 33 48 = 74=20 Fax : + 33 1 39 33 41=20 40 Mobil : = + 33 6 89=20 88 85 83=20 Suphi = Oguz =20 Mobil : + 33 6 81 90 92=20 47
Jun = 26-30	SYDNEY=20 EIGHT ANNUAL CONGRESS = FOR SYRIAC=20 STUDIES Department of Semitic=20 Studies University of=20 Sydney
Jun = 30	SYDNEY=20 CONFERENCE: = ASSYRIANS AFTER=20 ASSYRIA An international = conference on the=20 subject of the fate of the Assyrian people after the collapse of = the=20 Assyrian Empire (612 B.C. - 2000 A.D.).=20 Sponsors: = The Centre for Comparative = Genocide Studies at=20 Macquarie University & the Department of Semitic Studies at = the=20 University of Sydney=20 9:00 am - 9:05=20 am: Official = Welcome =20 9:05 am - 10:30=20 am: Presentation of papers = 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Morning = tea 11:00 am -=20 12:30 pm: Presentation of papers = 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm:=20 Luncheon 2:00 pm=20 - 3:30 pm: Presentation of=20 papers 3:30 pm=20 - 4:00 pm: Afternoon = tea =20 4:00 pm - 5:00=20 pm: Conference Review and = Resolutions=20 For more information = &=20 Registration Fee Detail click=20 here
Jul = 10-13	PARIS=20 46th RENCONTRE = ASSYRIOLOGIQUE=20 INTERNATIONALE "Nomadism and Sedentarism = in the=20 Ancient Near East"=20 College de = France=20 52 rue Cardinal=20 Lemoine 75005=20 Contact: = chrinico@club-internet.fr or=20 fax 33-1-48-87-82-58=20 XLVIe RAI = Christophe NICOLLE = Chaire = d'Assyriologie College de France = 52 rue Cardinal = Lemoine=20 75005, Paris -=20 France
Jul = 26-30	PORTLAND,=20 OREGON 38TH=20 ANNUAL SYRIAN ORTH ARCHDIOCESES = CONVENTION The Syrian Orthodox Archdioceses in Canada and = United=20 States Led by His Holliness Patriarch = Ignatius=20 Zakka I Hosted by St. Ignatius Church,=20 Portland Marriot in Portland=20 Agenda: Review of the past 50 years of = history of=20 the church in North America to identify and cement the strengths = and work=20 on improving weaknesses. =20 In addition to a spiritual and cultural = festival, a=20 cruise on the Columbia River, a bus trip to Cascade Range, etc. = are=20 planned. Click=20 Here

=20

THANK=20 YOU!
Joseph=20 Adlun....................Paris.............Calendar of = Events=20
Jacklin = Bejan................San=20 Jose..........Calendar of Events
Sheren Jasim...............Chicago...................Surfs=20 Up!
Nadia=20 Joseph...................Chicago................Surfers = Corner=20

SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH ASSYRIAN = READERS IN 50=20 COUNTRIES BY INCLUDING ZINDA IN YOUR COMMUNITY OR ORGANIZATION'S MAILING = LIST. SEE OUR MAILING ADDRESS BELOW.

ZINDA Magazine is published = every=20 Tuesday. Views expressed in ZINDA do not necessarily represent = those of=20 the ZINDA editors, or any of our associated staff. This = publication=20 reserves the right, at its sole discretion, not to publish comments or = articles=20 previously printed in or submitted to other journals. ZINDA reserves the = right=20 to publish and republish your submission in any form or medium. All = letters and=20 messages require the name(s) of sender and/or author. All messages = published in the SURFS UP! section must be in 500 words or less and bear = the=20 name of the author(s). Distribution of material featured in ZINDA is not = restricted, but permission from ZINDA is required. This service is = meant=20 for the exchange of information, analyses and news. To subscribe, send = e-mail=20 to: zenda@ix.netcom.com.=20

Zinda Magazine
P.O. Box 20278   San Jose, = California  =20 95160   U.S.A.
Voice:      (408) = 918-9200=20
   = Fax:      (408)=20 918-9201

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