Introduction

Sam Razali

The Assyrians are one of the most ancient peoples (and in fact the most ancient biblical people or nation surviving today) in the world. They raised a great empire (at the time the greatest). In the course of time they set up the kind of culture and that standard of civilization in Mesopotamia that the world had not seen before. And it was such civilization, chiefly through cultural and educational contributions of the Assyrians, that gave rise to the civilizations of many other Peoples. For example, both Persians and Greeks for the development of their civilizations and 'cultural prosperity' owe, and owe a great deal, to the Assyrians. That is why historians, archaeologists and the students of culture and civilization have given Mesopotamia (the Land of the Assyrians and Babylonians) the name, 'Cradle of Civilization'. Furthermore, as a people, they were the first in becoming christians. They also played the central role in founding the first Christian Church; Assyrian Church is the oldest Church ----'The Holy Apostolic Church of The East'. The Assyrians also have played the major role, in the early centuries, in spreading the message of Christ and in preaching the Gospel in many parts of the world. Jesus spoke the language of the Assyrians----Aramaic. Yes, indeed, Aramaic language is the 'linguistic heritage' of the Assyrians (read, on this website, the Article on Aramaic).

Yet, and yet! These very people, Assyrians, have been treated unfairly and unjustly by this 'unjust world' perhaps more than any other people. As far as the world, including the United Nations, is concerned Assyrians became extinct, 'vanished' from the face of Earth, when their Empire fell in 612 BC. In all books and encyclopaedias whenever there is need to mention the word 'Assyrian' (in describing something, somebody, or an event that happened or existed after 612 BC) instead, the word 'Syrian' is used. But for this the main, if not the only, 'culprits' were the Greeks who, in referring to 'Assyrian', always used the word 'Syrian'; thus the world, mainly the West, followed suit. Likewise the word 'Syriac' was used instead of 'Assyriac'.

In spite of having been through the most appalling adversities (including being Stateless and scattered in so many countries), the Assyrians have preserved, dignifiedly, their precious language, their culture and traditions, and also their Christianity. Furthermore, their Ancient Church, The Church of The East, which still is vibrantly alive, to them is more than 'just a church'; She is 'The Ancient Holy Institution' that is the symbol of the Christianity of an ancient People and also is the reminder of some of their cultural heritage. The ups and downs and especially the upheavals that these people have been through are many and some of them indescribable. However, perhaps the saddest part about the 'story of the Assyrians' has been the fact that throughout the centuries the so-called civilized world turned a blind eye to all the persecutions and even to the genocide of the Assyrians. Why? Very simple: because they don't exist! And let us not forget that despite all the terrible things that these brave people have encountered and been through they have never stopped contributing to the World that they live in. In fact Assyrians after Assyria (after the fall of their Empire) have contributed to the world's education, culture and civilization (as a whole) probably more than when they had their glorious Empire. (Read the article Assyrians After Assyria)

Today Assyrians (the founders of the 'Cradle of Civilization' and once the greatest Nation on Earth) are stateless. At present there are more than 3,000,000 Assyrians in the world, who live in not fewer than 30 countries and practically in every corner of the world; two-third of them, however, live in America, Syria and Iraq and the rest are mostly, but not all, in Europe. They see themselves as a forgotten people whose identity has been denied. Who cares? It is a ruthless world ruled by ruthless people ---- I will liberate you only if I know that your being liberated, your freedom, can serve my interest, otherwise, I don't give a damn about you, and in fact I might do my best to prevent you from having a state and from being liberated. But Assyrians will not perish; based on historical proof, these inherently cultured and instinctively courageous people are survivers in its true sense. They will 'one day' have a high place among the Nations of the World; the World will need them once again. And it is then that we can say, The stone that the builders rejected became the Corner Stone of the building.

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