Assyrian Martyrs Day: The British Betrayal of the Assyrians by Yusuf Malek

Date: August 9, 2023

 

For this Assyrian Martyrs’ Day, we encourage you to explore and study an intriguing book from the Ashurbanipal Library, housed at the Assyrian Cultural Foundation.

Originally published in 1935, Yusuf Malek’s The British Betrayal of the Assyrians is a detailed narrative that delves into the events leading up to the Simele Massacre in Iraq in August 1933. Throughout the book, you will find several duplicated letters from government officials alongside the author’s firsthand experiences.

Yusuf Malek, an Assyrian politician, author, and interpreter for the British army during the first World War, embarked on a journey in a newly independent Iraq, where he dedicated his focus to advocating for the Assyrian cause.

Before creating his book, Malek requested the British government to respond to the Simele Massacre, which was committed by the Iraqi government forces. The British, however, had their own interests, and those interests were with the Iraqi government, since Britain had an agreement protecting its dominion over Iraq’s petroleum. The Assyrians and their wellbeing mattered little.

The British Betrayal of the Assyrians puts forth the argument that the British government is responsible for supporting Iraqi ruler Faisal even as the Iraqi government infringed on Assyrian national rights and persecuted them. Additionally, the book criticizes the British government’s deceptive reaction to the Simele Massacre and its abandonment of its Assyrian allies, leaving the Assyrians at the mercy of Iraqi government officials. This led to Arab, Kurdish, and even Yezidi tribesmen to kill Assyrians indiscriminately and destroy and loot their villages.

The book contains an assortment of letters that vividly depict the atrocities of the Simele Massacre. One of these letters, written by Reverend R.C. Cumberland, an American missionary, observes that the “Simel[e] massacres and similar events have gone far to destroy the confidence of the Assyrians… in the good-faith of the Government. There seems not to be the personal integrity in the government services to form a stable administration.”

Indeed, the Iraqi government’s perpetration of the Simele massacre and the persecutions that followed silenced the Assyrian movement in Iraq and divided the Assyrian leadership for decades to come. However, it also fomented a renewed nationalist spirit among Assyrians in the diaspora.

Today, the Assyrian Cultural Foundation honors the Assyrian martyrs of the Simele Massacre, the Assyrian Genocide during World War I, and other catastrophic events throughout Assyrian history. Let us commemorate the sacrifices of our martyrs throughout the long history of the Assyrian nation that have been the foundation of our existence as a people today.

To learn more about this book and explore its contents, please contact our librarian, Sarah, at sarah.gawo@acf-us.org, to schedule a visit to the Ashurbanipal Library.

You can read a digital copy of the book here: https://archive.org/details/britishbetrayalo0000yusu/page/n389/mode/2up?q=massacre

If you want your own physical copy, the book can be purchased here:  https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/yusuf-malek/the-british-betrayal-of-the-assyrians/paperback/product-15perr.html?page=1&pageSize=4

 

Written by: Sarah Gawo

Published by: Brian Banyamin 

 

Bibliography

“The British Betrayal of the Assyrians.” Lulu, www.lulu.com/shop/yusuf-malek/the-british-betrayal-of-the-assyrians/paperback/product-15perr.html?page=1&pageSize=4. Accessed 1 Aug. 2023.

Lang, Esther. “Assyrian Martyr’s Day.” Assyrian Cultural Foundation Assyrian Martyrs Day Comments, www.auaf.us/blog/assyrian-martyrs-day/. Accessed 1 Aug. 2023.

“Yusuf Malek.” Wikipedia, 16 June 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yusuf_Malek.

Yusuf, Malik. The British Betrayal of the Assyrians. Lulu Press, 2005.

 

Ninos Aho

Date: April 27, 2023

Ninos Aho was born in 1945 in a small village in Syria, Gerkeh-Shama. He relocated to Qamishli and later Damascus in pursuit of continuing education.

In 1971, he left Syria and came to the United States. After living in the United States for over 20 years, Ninos, his wife, and their children decided to go back to Syria to support the Assyrian national movement.

In Syria, he had joined the Assyrian Democratic Organization, an organization founded in 1957, in 1961 during an underground convention. The Organization was dedicated to bringing together the various sects of the Assyrian nation and raising awareness of the Assyrian national identity.

This was especially important in various Middle Eastern countries which sought to forcefully eradicate the Assyrian national identity. In an effort to combat Arab nationalist sentiments, he had the local Syriac Orthodox church choirs perform his poetry and disseminate it to the public.

His fame grew as renowned Middle Eastern musicians such as Ninib A. Lahdo and Wadi al-Safi performed his poetry in songs, amplifying its
reach and impact.

In 2013, Ninos Aho succumbed to complications arising from Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and passed away. His funeral was performed in the Syriac Orthodox Church with the attendance of a bishop of the Church of the East. His legacy of both poetry and activism will endure for many years to come.

 

Written By: Sarah Gawo

 

Bibliography

“Assyrischer Poet Und Aktivist Ninos Aho Wegen Blutkrebserkrankung Verstorben.”

Bethnahrin, 17 July 2013,
https://bethnahrin.de/2013/07/16/assyrischer-poet-und-aktivist-ninos-aho-wegen-blutkreb serkrankung-verstorben/.

“The New Assyrian Poem by Ninos Aho.” PoemHunter.com, 27 Sept. 2014,
https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-new-assyrian/.

“Ninos Aho: Qeenatha .” Qeenatha.com, https://www.qeenatha.com/artists/NinosAho/359/.

“Ninos Aho: The Great Assyrian Poet.” Ninos Aho | The Great Assyrian Poet, https://www.atour.com/people/20120304a.html.

 

Mar Benyamin Shimun XXI

Date: March 11, 2023

 

Mar Benyamin Shimun, Catholicos Patriarch XXI, was born in Qudchanis, Turkey in 1887. His mother, Asyat, was the daughter of a famous Assyrian chieftain, Qamber of Eeil, and his father, Eshai, was born of the patriarchal line of the Church of the East. Growing up, he received an education from a notable Assyrian scholar from the tribe of Tkhooma. During this time, he learned a great deal about politics and diplomacy.

On March 2, 1903, Mar Benyamin was ordained as a Metropolitan. However, after the death of his uncle, Mar Ruel Shimun, Catholicos Patriarch XX, on March 16, 1903, Mar Benyamin was elevated to the Patriarchal throne on March 30, 1903 at the age of 16. Observers noted that he quickly learned how to conduct himself as a mature leader despite his age, as he was aided by his sister, Surma Khanum.

Years after his consecration, World War I began and reverberated throughout the world and the Middle East. The conflicts between various regional powers place the Assyrian nation in a most difficult position, leading to much conflict and atrocities. With much difficulty, Mar Benyamin took it upon himself to lead the Assyrians of Hakkari out into the safety of Urmi, where they joined their brethren.

Also, he helped many Assyrians escape to Russia after having successful negotiations with Tsar Nicolas of Russia for Assyrian settlement in their residential areas. According to Braum and Winkler, Mar Benyamin accomplished “the transfer of 15,000 of his people into the Caucasus, where they founded a new homeland in the present-day states of Armenia and Georgia.” In 1917, Mar Benyamin was decorated by the Russians who wanted to show their appreciation to the Assyrians for helping them in their fight. In 1918, Mar Benyamin was assassinated by a Kurdish officer. He was 31 years old.

Mar Benyamin Shimun, Catholicos Patriarch XXI, embodies the true meaning of a hero. His bravery and courage helped many Assyrians find sanctuary in a very turbulent time in history, and for that, we honor him every year.

 

Published by: Brian Banyamin

Written by: Sarah Gawo

 

Bibliography

Baum, William, and Dietmar Winkler. The Church of the East: A Concise History. Routledge, 2003.

“He Lived and Died For His Beloved Assyrian Church & Nation.” Assyrian Enterprise, http://www.assyrianenterprise.com/MiscAnnounc/M.Benyamin/MBenyamin.html.

Shoumanov, Vasili V. The Assyrian Martyr: Mar Benjamin Shimun, Patriarch of the Church of the East. Center for the Assyrian Genocide Studies, 2008.

Shumanov, Vasily. “The Patriarch Mar Binyamin Shimmun a Martyr of the Assyrian Nation & The Church of the East.” Zinda, 15 Mar. 2004, http://www.zindamagazine.com/html/archives/2004/3.15.04/.

SyriacPress. “Today in History: East Syriac Patriarch Mar Shimun Binyamin Murdered by Kurdish Chieftain Simko Agha.” SyriacPress, 3 Mar. 2022, https://syriacpress.com/blog/2022/03/03/today-in-history-east-syriac-patriarch-mar-shimu n-binyamin-murdered-by-kurdish-chieftain-simko-agha/.

Werda, Joel E. “A Short Biography of Mar Benyamin Shimun XXI.” Nineveh, 1981.

Agha Petros

Date: February 23, 2023

Petros Elia was born in Baz, Hakkari in April 1880, during the reign of the Ottoman empire. He went to school in Hakkari, then later traveled to Urmia, Iran, where he received a Catholic missionary education.

After he finished school, he began teaching in his hometown of Baz. Then, he became an assistant in the Ottoman Empire, and later an ambassador in Iran for the Ottoman consulate, as a result of his fluency in various languages. According to Solomon Solomon, “While serving in his new position, he used his influence to help the Christian population of the area to a degree that the Pope sent him a medal as a token of gratitude.”

 

When World War I began, Petros Elia resigned from his job to join the war effort. Following Russia’s invasion of Iran, Petros Elia was appointed as a general during World War I and started being referred to as Agha Petros. At this time, the Allies (Great Britain, France, Russia, etc.) gave him command over the left-wing of the Assyrian army.

 

Throughout the war, Agha Petros led successful campaigns against the Ottomans and Kurds, most notably, the Battle of Souldouze. At Souldouze, Agha Petros beat back the Ottoman force against greater odds. Moreover, Agha Petros defeated the Ottomans in Sauj Bulak and drove them out, as well as the Ottoman and Kurdish forces in Mosul. All things considered, it’s accomplishments, such as these, which earned him the title of being Assyria’s greatest military hero.

In his later years, he participated in the 1923 Lausanne Conference in an attempt to resettle Assyrians. Years later, he moved to France, where he passed away in February, 1932 at the age of 52.

 

Published by: Brian Banyamin

Written by: Sarah Gawo

 

Bibliography

“Agha Petros.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Nov. 2022,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agha_Petros#:~:text=Petros%20also%20defeated%20the%
20Ottomans,quite%20a%20few%20of%20them.
Donef, Racho. 1923: Agha Petros and the Lausanne Telegraphs, 29 Sept. 2003,
http://www.atour.com/history/1900/20030929a.html.
Naayem, Joseph. Shall This Nation Die? Lulu Press, 2005.
Shihale, Joe. “Genaral Agha Patrus .” Agha Putrus,
https://www.betnahrain.net/Biographies/agha.htm.
Solomon, Solomon S. Prominent Assyrians. [Publisher Not Identified], 1991.

Abee Sargis

Date: February 17, 2023

Abee Sargis was born in Iraq and obtained a degree in economy and business administration from the University of Baghdad. He also earned a diploma in acting and directing. Sargis began his acting career by performing in plays written in Assyrian and Arabic at his local church and in school plays. He later became a radio and television speaker, while living in Baghdad. Sargis’s breakthrough in acting came when he participated in the Assyrian Cultural Club and starred in his first international drama, “Doctor Against His Will.” Sargis stated that his play “Betan Khata” has gained significant popularity and has been performed in various locations including Chicago, California, Canada, and Australia. In 1986, Sargis relocated to Chicago, where he continued his acting career and took part in various plays, including “Mother’s Cry.” He subsequently began directing and acting in films, and has appeared in five movies to date: “Akh Min Khimyani,” “Cousins,” “Basimtet Reesha,” “The Cross of Mary,” and “Journey of Eternity.” During a conversation I had with Sargis, he mentioned having upcoming projects in the works.

 

Sargis’ latest film, “Journey of Eternity,” as described on IMDb, focuses on the story of Esho, a school teacher played by Abee Sargis, and his challenging experiences. He was falsely accused of National Movements. Additionally, Esho witnessed the imprisonment of many Assyrians and the execution of three of them. Following his release, Esho embarks on a journey to honor the memory of the slain activists. During his journey, Esho encounters an advocate from the United Nations Human Rights Organization, an American journalist who supports highlighting the ongoing oppression in the Middle East.

 

The Assyrian Cultural Foundation extends our appreciation and honor to Abee Sargis, the film’s lead actor, for his contribution to the project. Additionally, the Foundation would like to express gratitude to all those who offered their support for Abee Sargis and acted on behalf of the Foundation.

Published by: Brian Banyamin

Written by Sarah Gawo

 

Bibliography

“Journey of Eternity.” IMDb, IMDb.com, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12396978/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl.

Assyrian Wedding Traditions

Date: February 13, 2023

Assyrian weddings include various traditions that have been exercised for centuries. As of today, Assyrian wedding traditions are boiled down to at least 7 main practices. What are these practices and how are they used today?

 

Before the wedding, there must be a pre-engagement gathering called a Mashmeta, which translates to “the Hearing / the proposal”. Essentially, the suitor’s family will visit the parents of the woman, and the suitor’s parents will ask for their son to be married to their daughter. The son does not accompany his family during this, and the woman is supposed to be in her room secluded, while the negotiation is happening. If the woman’s family accepts, they will start picking a day for their engagement party. However, before they make any arrangements, the woman’s family will go to her bedroom and tell her about the outcome. If she accepts the outcome, the woman’s father will inform the man’s family to prepare for an official engagement.

 

Khaybatat Khatana / Bathing of the groom, his relatives and groomsmen will meet at his home to trim his hair, shave his face, and wash his body. During this event, a group of female singers, known as barbiyeh, will sing a special song titled lilyaneh for the groom. In some instances, a younger relative will take a shower before the groom. This tradition is meant to physically and spiritually cleanse the groom in preparation for his wedding.

 

Barbiyeh will sing and make kileche to take and give to the attendees at the church the day of the wedding ceremony.
Meanwhile, the groom’s family will come to the bride’s house to celebrate. During this event, the groom’s family sing and dance to the music of the zurna (zorna) and bass drum (dawola). Eventually, the groom’s family will request that the bride come with them to church.

 

Following this, relatives of the bride will ask for money from the groom’s family. In other words, the bride’s family is demanding a dowry. As the negotiation is occurring, the doors of the bride’s home are shut and guarded by her uncle. When the groom’s family pays the exit fee, the bride is allowed to leave with the groom’s family at last.

 

As the newlyweds make their entrance into the banquet hall of their reception, the bride dances with a decorated handkerchief, known as the yalekhta, and the groom dances with a decorated cane, known as the kopala. Concurrently, the guests twirl their decorated handkerchiefs, and ululate in celebration. Afterwards, the guests will gather in the center of the banquet hall and perform Assyrian folk dances. Some relatives will sit on the bride’s and groom’s chair and request that they must be paid or get invited on an outing. When this request is accepted, they will get up and let the groom and bride sit down.

Altogether, these traditions of an Assyrian wedding preserve Assyrian culture and heritage. It’s traditions, such as these, that shape Assyrian identity.

 

Published by: Brian Banyamin

Written by: Sarah Gawo