Without a country they call their own, the Assyrian people came together to celebrate Assyria Day on Sunday 1st July 2012. Local Assyrian delegates celebrated future plans in safely returning to their homeland, last Sunday. The 2nd annual Assyria Day event welcomed the public in celebrating their community’s culture and journey in claiming their homeland. Hundreds of Assyrian community members joined The Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) and the youth chapter of AUA, The Young Assyrians, at Edessa Reception Hall in Greenfield Park to discuss strategies in claiming their rights as the Indigenous people of modern-day Iraq.
Assyrian youth delegates gathered together to discuss ideas, challenges and strategies in developing a new Assyrian state within Iraq during the Assyria Day Youth Conference at Mounties Club, Mt Pritchard. The Young Assyrians President, Ninos Aaron, thanked the attendees in believing in the future of their land, people and society.
“Young people are recognised not only as future leaders, but as representatives of society today, with a direct stake as both creators and beneficiaries of the future Assyrian nation,” he said. “We must become more proactive, then reactive by using digital media, talking to people one- on-one, lobbying, public lectures and establishing networks.
“The framework is there through the United Nations (UN), set out for human rights, and we must get educated and relevant on how the system works. I want Assyria in five years. As long as we identify ourselves as Assyrians, pass it on to the next generation and fly that Assyrian flag and banner, it will happen.”
Assyrian youth member and teacher, Nineveh Yakou, believes in learning from Israel, South Sudan and East Timor nations who have succeeded in re-claiming land rights. “Let’s coordinate our efforts, no more segregation but more integration. “Our high school syllabus needs to include Assyrian history as every birth of civilization started from Assyria and teachers aren’t teaching it due to a lack of resources,” she said.
Proceedings continued at the official Assyria Day event held at Edessa Reception Hall, Greenfield Park Celebrations began with the Australian and Assyrian anthems, speeches, recitals and dances from local students. The Young Assyrians member, Edgar Dadisho, said the Holy Bible states that the land will return to its rightful owners, the Assyrians.
“Once again we will have a major contribution to the world, and to the sustenance and achievement of mankind. “The Assyrian system will promote and encourage innovative thinking and not just a mindset that is dictated by media and pop-culture; but a mindset that will create some of the world’s most profound scientists, politicians, business people and entertainers,” he said.
Member, Dany Raoul, said he loves the Australian way of life but still keeps in touch with his Assyrian roots. Speakers continued to project pride, perseverance and determination to the audience. Smithfield MP, Andy Rohan, appreciated the annual event and believed in continuing the Assyria Day tradition that helps in getting one step closer to the goal of returning to Assyria.
The AUA Deputy Secretary General, Hermiz Shahen, marked the event as a day of happiness towards the journey back to Assyria. “In the minds of our youth, we need to work together now to re-create our nation to make it stronger,” he said. “It is time now that our youth is awakened and it is time to work from today with thoughts of returning to Assyria.” The event concluded with dinner, drinks and dancing at the Ur Ashur Club, Horsley Park.
To support the Assyrian community in returning to Assyria please contact Hermiz Shahen on 0407235349.
Breakout: The Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) designated Assyria Day at its 27th World Congress held during December 2-4, 2010 in Erbil, Iraq, and henceforth requests all Assyrians living in Diaspora to observe the day as a symbol of our national revival and our return to Assyria.
Breakout: The Young Assyrians were established to inspire activism and to spread awareness about the Assyrian community to their own people and the international arena. The AUA youth chapter was designed to support young Assyrians and their plight in one day having a land of their own that they may call, Assyria.
Sydney – July 2, 2012.