“Polors Souriatsi enk” … We are all Syrians

In 2019, President Bashar al-Assad said : “The Armenians have been a patriotic group par excellence.  This was proven without a shadow of doubt during the war.  At the same time, this group has its own societies, its own churches and more importantly, it has its own schools.  And if you attend any Armenian celebration, a wedding, or any other event — they sing their traditional songs but afterwards they sing national, politically-inclined songs.”

These words are a source of pride for all Syrian Armenians and give them more responsibilities to refresh the Armenian activities, Syrian Member of Parliament of Armenian origin Nora Arissian told Syria Times e-newspaper.

The MP indicated that His Excellency President Bashar al-Assad always recommends the Armenians’ loyalty towards their homeland Syria.       

“Undoubtedly, Armenians are part and parcel of the Syrian community and they represent a striking example of cultural diversity in Syria,” Dr. Arissian said, adding that she alongside the officials in charge of the Armenian school and association met with President al-Assad and his wife to thank them for  their support in rehabilitating Nizam School for the Armenian Orthodox in Mleha area in Damascus countryside.

On December,20, 2019, The first lady Mrs. Asmaa al-Assad visited Nizam school and participated in the celebration for Christmas with 180 children.

https://www.facebook.com/narissian/videos/3173250886034868/?t=10

According to the Ministry of the Diaspora of Armenia, the estimated number of Armenians in Syria is 100,000, with more than 60,000 of them centralized in Aleppo province.

However, Der Ezzour province holds a special place in the heart of Syrian Armenians from the historical aspect as it was the last destination for the forced displacement of Armenians and the scene of Turkish  atrocities against them, according to the MP.

Dr. Arissian reminded us of the explosion in “Martyrs” church in Der Ezzour province on September 21, 2014 by the Turkish regime. “This crime was widely condemned by Armenian officials in Armenia and diaspora..”

The Church of Armenian Martyrs was officially inaugurated in 1991 to mark the Armenian genocide committed by the Turks  there.

As for the role of Armenians in the process of the reconstruction of Syria, the parliamentarian asserted that the owners of factories and crafts in Aleppo city play a pivotal role in this regard and they have contributed to the blooming of the industry in the city of Aleppo over the past years.

Dr. Arissian, who chairs the Syrian-Armenian parliamentary friendship group in the Syrian parliament,  concluded by saying that there is continuous communication with the Armenian-Syrian parliamentary committee in the Armenian parliament and this will help activate bilateral relations between the two countries.  

Interviewed by:

Reem Haddad [Editor-in-Chief]

Basma Qaddour [Journalist]