Commemoration of the Assyrian Genocide ad Martyrs Day in Australia

Sydney – 12 August, 2009
On Sunday 9th August 2009, the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) commemorated the Assyrian Martyrs Day at the Edessa reception of the Assyrian Church of the East, at Greenfield in Sydney Australia. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Assyrian Australian National Federation (AANF) and the Assyrian Church of the East, in memory of the Assyrian Martyrs and the genocide committed against the Assyrian Nation.

The commemoration began with a special Church Mass that was conducted by His Beatitude Mar Meelis Zaia; Metropolitan of the Assyrian Church of the East Diocese of Australia & New Zealand.

The ceremony started at 6:00 pm at Edessa reception with the presence of representatives of the host Assyrian Organisations; Mr. Hermiz Shahen, Deputy Secretary General of the Assyrian Universal Alliance, Mr. David David, President of the Assyrian Australian National Federation (AANF) and Rev. Father Ashur La’azer together with Father Moshe Barkho from the Assyrian Church of the East. Other guests included Mr. Ninos Khoshaba MP, State member for Smithfield, Clr. Anwar Khoshaba, Deputy Mayor of Fairfield city council, Mr. Simon Essavian, President of the Assyrian Charity and educational community, Mr. Yako Barhy, representing Babylon Cultural Association, Mr. Paul Azzo, AUA advisor, Mr. Romel Badal, AUA legal advisor. Mrs. Carmen Lazar, Principle of the Assyrian Diglat School, Mr. Hormis Karimi, vice president of the AANF and over 400 people attended the ceremony in observance of the solemn day.

The program started with a welcoming speech by master of ceremonies, Mr. Emmanuel Francis followed by allegiance to the flags of Australia, Assyria and the Church of the East.performed by the Church’s Choir, and conduced by Maestro Alexander Michailian.

The ceremony followed by speeches from representative of the Assyrian Organisations as follows: Mr. David David, Councilor Anwar Khoshaba, Rev. Ashur La’azar, Mr. Hermiz Shahen, Mr. Tamuz Tamuz of Babylon Cultural Association and Miss Mereyana Ismail from Youth Group Association of Assyrian Church of the East. The function included several national songs performed by the choir of the Assyrian Church of the East composed and conducted by Maestro Rabi Shura Michailian.

The event also included remarkable poetry reading by Mr. Nimrud Yousip, followed by Mr. Younan Bet-Younan, Mr. Wilson Sarkis and other youths from Mar Narsai Assyrian college and Diglat Assyrian School..

During the ceremony the audiences were moved as they watched excellent performance by the Choir of the Assyrian Church of the East.

At the close of the ceremony the audience were overwhelmed as they watched a Drama titled The Mother of a Martyr, with actual tears rolling down the mother’s cheeks on hearing news of her 18-year-old son’s martyrdom. The Play was performed by students of Diqlat Assyrian School and produced by Rabi Yosepose Sargis. Players of the drama received a standing ovation for their excellent performance.

Assyrian Universal Alliance
PO Box 34, Fairfield NSW 1860 Australia

E-mail: auaaustralia@optusnet.com.au