The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has a new king.  The blue-eyed Abdallah ibn Hussein ascended to the throne yesterday on the death of his father King Hussein bin Talal (1935-1999).  He is the 43rd direct descendent of the prophet Mohammed and the grandson of a Christian- an English colonel.  Yet  King Abdallah's British blood did not prevent his father from naming him as the heir to the Hashemite throne.  The Jordanian Constitution only requires the king to be "a Moslem, born by a legitimate wife and of Moslem parents."  Abdallah's mother converted to Islam in 1961 and upon marrying King Hussein became Princess Mona of Jordan.

Jordan has been unusually tolerant of its non-Moslem population as evident in the freedoms granted to the Christian minorities in the articles of its Constitution.  Jordan’s Christians have freedom to form and participate in their own cultural associations, schools and churches.  As is indicated in this week's BRAVO Christians such as Assyrians are also free to teach their own language.

Today little is written on Christian Jordanian society and almost nothing on the Assyrian or Syrian Orthodox communities in Amman.  In his 1995 book,  Christianity in the Arab World,  Prince El Hassan bin Talal writes: "Muslim Arabs need to know more about the Christians who have historically lived in their midst, and the different traditions these Christians represent, to better understand the rich heritage they hold in common with them... It is by such exchanges of tribute, supplementing the ongoing Christian-Muslim dialogue, that the cause of interfaith and intercultural understanding in the world can best be promoted and served."

The majority of Jordan’s 4.4 million people are Arab Sunni's from various tribes (ashirates).  According to the government officials, six percent of the 4.4 million Jordanians worship Jesus Christ as their Savior.  They live mostly in the cities of Amman (Assyrians in particular), Madaba, Karak and Salt.  The nearly one hundred Christian congregations in Jordan belong to the Palestinian Christians, Armenians, Syrian Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Assyrian Chaldean and "Church of the East" refugees from Iraq, and a small faction of mainstream Protestants.

As the result of the economic sanctions against Iraq and the post-Gulf War economic destabilization of the region, thousands of Iraqis have been fleeing their homes in Baghdad and seeking refuge in Jordan.  Among these are nearly 14,000 Assyrians who live in intolerable conditions. The United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) oversees the welfare, health, and education of these refugees- these and 1.4 million other Palestinian refugees in Jordan.   The prodigious influxes of such asylum-seekers have greatly contributed to the destabilization of Jordan’s economy.  Since Iraq was its key trading partner, Jordan has been struggling since the Gulf War.  In 1991 the Gulf kingdoms suspended aid to Jordan and left it with high unemployment and a multi-billion-dollar foreign debt. On Saturday, President Clinton pledged support for Jordan's troubled economy. Upon his return from the funeral ceremonies scheduled today for the late King Hussein, he will ask Congress to provide 300 million dollars promised to Jordan as part of the Wye Accord, drafted last November in Maryland.

We should hope that Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdallah, will continue a vigorous Islamic-Christian dialogue and continue promoting greater understanding of the Christian minorities in its Hashemite Kingdom.  Meanwhile, the Assyrians in Diaspora must focus on the problem at hand- the plight of the thousands of stranded Assyrian families in Amman.  Until the demise of the Baathist regime in Baghdad and the subsequent return of the Assyrian refugees from Jordan, their basic needs must be met through the international humanitarian efforts of Assyrian federations, churches, and social organizations.  One such organization, The Assyrian Foundation of America, has already begun an unprecedented effort to assist the most needy families in Jordan.  Their example must be amplified times over across the Atlantic and Pacific.   

ZENDA Magazine

The following article appeared in Sydney Morning Herald's December 18th issue:

Sydney's Iraqi community spent an anxious day checking on the safety of relatives back home.

"My whole side of the family, brothers and cousins, are all there", said Mr. Emmanuel Michael, the president of the Assyrian Federation of Australia. "I contacted my father-in-law in Baghdad. They haven't slept and they can't go out. At least they are safe."

Mr. Michael, who moved to Sydney from Kuwait 11 years ago, said many members of the Assyrian community had been trying to call home but it had been difficult to get through.

"There are many people here watching the television and waiting for news," he said.

"I managed to get through on the phone but I was lucky. The lines were every busy."

"They were expecting the attack for a long time. I pray that God will save our people in Iraq. They are nervous and scared. It is difficult for them to talk on the phone. The lines are not safe."

The majority of people from Iraq living in Australia are Assyrians, a Christian minority. There are an estimated 25,000 Assyrians in Australia - 20,000 of them in NSW.

Mr. Michael was opposed to the latest attack on Iraq "because a lot of innocent people will be harmed."

He said: "My opinion is that it is very tragic for Iraqis. With respect to Mr. Clinton, he is trying to divert attention from his own problems."

Mr. Michael said the Assyrians, the early inhabitants of ancient Mesopotamia, the region that is now called Iraq, had been subjected to persecution and discrimination for many years under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi Muslims in Australia, many of them refugees from Saddam's regime, number around 5,000.

A Muslim who requested anonymity said the bombing of Iraq would solve nothing unless Saddam Hussein was removed from power.

"A lot of people will be lost for no reason unless the Americans and British are serious about getting rid of Saddam," he said.

"They must give serious support to the Iraqi opposition."

Jon Marsh
Ethnic Affairs Writer

• A high ranking official at the U.S. State Department has informed the President of the Assyrian National Congress that U.S. government is looking forward to a united conference of the Iraq opposition groups and urged Assyrian participation.  Delegates of Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party and the Assyrian National Congress were in attendence at the founding conference of INC in 1992 at Salah al-Din, Northern Iraq.  Both are considered founding members of INC and still have representation in its Executive Council.  Informed sources told BNA that the site of the proposed conference will be in Washington, D.C.  The same sources stated that the Kurdish village of Halabja was also considered; however, certain western officials objected for security reasons.

• On 13 January a meeting was held in Turlock, California between Mr. William Dadesho, President of Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party Council, and Senator John Nimrod, Secretary General of the Assyrian Universal Alliance.  Both Assyrian leaders were accompanied by other officials of their respective parties.  Several topics of mutual interest were discussed.

• His Holiness Mar Dinkha, the Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, has called for a Church Synod to be held in April 1999 in the city of Chicago.  Church prelates from around the world are expected to attend.  Unity among the Assyrian denominations will top the agenda.

• A new Assyrian political front comprised of Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party, the Assyrian Democratic Party and the Assyrian National Party, was announced in Canada.

Bet-Nahrain News Agency:  (209) 538-9801

(ZNAF-Beirut)  Yesterday, His Holiness Nasrallah Sfeir, the head of Lebanon's Maronite church lashed out at Syrian officials for their decision to place voting booths in Lebanon for the Syrian election.  "The installation of Syrian voting booths on Lebanese territory violates international laws and conventions and harms the nation's sovereignty," H.H. Nasrallah Sfeir said during his Sunday sermon.  "In bringing attention to this fact, we would like to stress our dedication to our sovereignty as well as to our fraternal ties with Syria. But brotherhood has its limits."

Christian opposition leader Raymond Edde, speaking from France where he has lived in exile for some two decades, said the decision to put the polling stations in Lebanon meant the nation had become
nothing more than "a Syrian province."

Syria announced Sunday it would postpone the referendum to confirm President Hafez al-Assad for a fifth seven-year term, due to take place Monday, until Wednesday following the death of Jordan's
King Hussein. Syria is the main power-broker in Lebanon, where it maintains some 35,000 troops.

(ZNDA: San Jose)  On 29 January 1999 the Nominating Committee of the Assyrian American Association of San Jose announced the following individuals as members of the new Executive Committee:

                                President                Mrs. Jacklin Bejan
                                Vice President         Mr. Esha Tamras
                                Treasurer                Mr. Dalton Ivan
                                Secretary                Ms. Josephine Eshoo
                                Board Officers        Mr. Roomil Baba
                                                              Mr. Homer Younan
                                Advisors                 Mr. Dan Aghassi
                                                              Mr. Noel Danielvarda
                                                              Ms. Germain Merza
                                                              Mr. Robert Oushalem
                                Auditor                   Mrs. Galina Varton
                                Parliamentarian        Ms. Caroline Nasseri

The new committee began its two-year term immediately upon after the swearing-in ceremony.  With only one candidate running for each position, the candidates were elected by a single vote of confidence cast by the previous secretary of the Association.

"My mom says Shameran was real and she lived a long time.  We have her picure at home.  Why is her face and hands rapped?"

John Samo
California

Our 10-year-old reader refers to the familiar painting of Queen Semiramis (Shamiram) of Assyria which accompanied our last week's feature article.  It depicts the Assyrian queen commanding her soldiers in a battle against the Indian army where she nearly lost her life.  Her arm was wounded by an arrow, and her back was pierced with a javelin. The injured queen- with head and arms wrapped in white bandages- is shown in royal war chariot ahead of her army.

Dr. Sam Haddad
California

We would like to take this wonderful opportunity to inform the Assyrian Community that the Assyrian American National Federation has requested of Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock to be the host of the First Annual Kha b'Neesan (Assyrian New Year) Parade.

The Committee responsible for this event is inviting all the Assyrian organizations, churches, religious and political movements, businesses and artists to join in this historical and national event, and to help the non-Assyrian communities recognize us and to know the importance of this day.

The program will be as follows:

1. A parade/walk in Turlock (the streets and roads in effect will be announced at a later time).
2. Time:  3:00 PM, Sunday April 4th, 1999
3. A special program pertaining to the event to Kha b'Neesan to take place at the Assyrian American Civic Club following the parade.

Activities:  all organizations are to take part in these activities.

1. Show of traditional Assyrian clothing and uniforms
2. Religious hymns
3. Assyrian folk music
4. Youth/children programs
5. Parade of the decorated floats

We hope that all of our organizations and businesses will take the time to recognize the importance of this day when we all have to unite and celebrate and take pride in this national festival.

Ramin Odisho
Western Regional Director
Assyrian American National Federation

Mr. Odisho is the president of the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock: P.O. Box 192, Turlock, California 95381-0192.

BC (1880)

Excavations around the city of Kanesh in Turkey reveal that a vibrant Assyrian trade between Bet-Nahrain and Anatolia existed at this time.  Assyrian merchants brought woollen textiles and a tin metal from Ashur to central Turkey where from they distributed them to other trading posts in Anatolia.  This tin metal, called annakum, may have been brought by Assyrian from Iran or Bahrain.

Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia, Roaf

The Italian Catholic missionary, John of Monte Corvino, trying to establish a Latin church in Beijing, China, writes that "the Nestorians have grown so powerful in those parts that they will not allow a Christian of another rite to have ever so small a chapel, or to publish any doctrines different from their own."

The History of Yaballaha III, Montgomery

I sit across from you
and watch your hands
lie still in your lap
brown and dry
the skin stretched
across a fan of bones
like the wings of a bird
long dead in the desert
I try to decipher
the cuneiform of age
of pain
of love
sketched intricatally
in the thin skin
which will soon turn into dust.

Berta Burleigh
Chicago

Journal of The Assyrian Academic Society, October 1990, p.18

February 13, 1852:  London Times reports of the arrival of the first shipment of the archaeological findings from Nineveh.

There are two types of displaced Assyrians in Amman.  The first group is the lucky ones who have loving relatives in the West keeping them financially supported regularly.  I met more than two dozens of these Assyrian families in person, and they certainly appreciate the benevolent generosity of their relatives.  They are able to get by, for the most part.  However, they are not certain how long they will be able to stay in Jordan, since they have difficulty getting visas to emigrate to Western countries...

The second group of our fellow Assyrians is the impoverished ones.  Frankly, I learned a lot about these destitute Assyrians from Raabta Farida Benyamin Adam who had contact with them regularly...

I found her to be dedicated, trustworthy and a loving lady who has an amazing determination to help the neediest Assyrians, sometimes offering her own money which she receives regularly from a brother in the West... She admits that sometimes it is very hard for her to make these difficult decisions.

Another noble quality Farida has is definitely her love for her mother tongue.  In fact, she volunteers her own time to teach the language to the idle youngsters who otherwise can't attend government schools.  They all love her and respect her.  She told me that as long as she is in Amman, she will dedicate herself to helping our fellow Assyrians... She hopes that eventually one day she too would be reunited with her brothers in the west.

Basil K. Pius
For the complete article see Nineveh Magazine, Vol 21, #4, p. 26.

There are currently an estimated 14,000 Assyrian refugees stranded in Jordan.  Last year, Ms. Farida B. Adam was recognized by Mar Giwargis Slivo for her humanitarian work in Amman.  To offer financial assistance for the Assyrian refugees and children in Jordan write to Assyrian Foundation of America at P.O. Box 2620, Berkeley, California  94702.

AAC = Ancient Assyrian Church of the East
ACE = Assyrian Church of the East
CCC = Chaldean Catholic Church
MCC= Maronite Catholic Church
MOC = Malankara Orthodox Church: Church Calendar
SCC = Syrian Catholic Church of Antioch
SKC = Syrian Knanaya Church
SOC = Syrian Orthodox Church

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The Directory of ZENDA News Sources
ZNAA (Assyrian Academic Society-Chicago)
ZNAD (Assyrian Democratic Organization)
ZNAF (Agence France-Presse)
ZNAH (Al-Ahram Newspaper, London)
ZNAL (Al-Hayat, London)
ZNAI  (Assyrian International News Agency)
ZNAK (American Kurdish
ZNAM (Archeology Magazine)
ZNAP (Associated Press International)
ZNBN (Bet-Nahrain Inc/ KBSV-TV "AssyriaVision")
ZNCN (ClariNews)
ZNIF (Iraq Foundation)
ZNDA (Zenda: zenda@ix.netcom.com)
ZNIN (Iraqi National Congress)
ZNLT (Los Angeles Times)
ZNMN (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNMW (Mideast Newswire)
ZNNQ (Nabu Quarterly)
ZNNV (Nineveh Magazine)
ZNNY:  New York Times
ZNPR:  Palestinian Review
ZNQA (Qala Atouraya- Moscow)
ZNRF (Radio Free Iraq)
ZNRU (Reuters)
ZNSH (Shotapouta Newsletter)
ZNSJ (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNSM (Shufimafi Lebanese News)
ZNSO (Syrian Orthodox News "SOCNews")
ZNTM (Time Magazine)
ZNUP (United Press International)
ZNUS (US News & World Report)
ZNCW:  Catholic World News