Discussion Planned on Assyrian Unity

More than 800 members of the local Assyrian community are expected to gather at Cal State Northridge on Sunday to discuss the Assyrian identity on a national and global level.

Author Ashur Moradkhani, a San Jose resident active in the Assyrian community, will present his work “The Assyrian Manifesto or Constitution for the Assyrian Nation.”

The paper examines six objectives central to the plight of Assyrians, including population, centralization, national rights, history and culture, allies from other nations and welfare for those Assyrians who still live in war-torn regions.

Sponsored by the Assyrian American Assn. and the Assyrian Student Union, the goal of the discussion is to enforce the notion that unity among Assyrians is essential to their survival, said Tony Zango, member of the board of directors for the Assyrian American Assn. of Southern California.

Different religious and political factions have divided Assyrians in the past, Zango said.

But currently, the Assyrian Church of the East as well as the Chaldean Church have reached agreements that many within the community hope will set a trend among his people, he said.

Zango said Sunday’s meeting is believed to be the first such organized discussion to take place in Los Angeles.

For this 7,000-year-old ethnic group that originated in the ancient Mesopotamian region and has no formal country or government of its own, unification has become a primary focus.

“This needs to be brought to the public’s attention so that everyone can understand what we are going through, and what we want,” said Zango.

Sponsors also said they are hopeful the meeting will emphasize that only when Assyrians unite on a national level will they be able to effectively assist other Assyrians who are suffering political or religious persecution.

“There are so many people out there struggling to survive,” Zango said. “It’s just a matter of time when we will come together.”

The public discussion, to be conducted in the Assyrian language, is open to anyone interested.

The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday in the San Fernando Valley Hall at CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Parking is $1.75 in Lot C. Information: (714) 750-7751.