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Sassounian: Armenians in Egypt: Dwindling Yet Resilient in a Country in Turmoil

I just returned from a fascinating trip to Egypt. The Primate of the Armenian Church had invited me on behalf of the Diocesan Council to deliver the keynote address at the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. I accepted the invitation with some trepidation given the ongoing turmoil in Egypt since the toppling of the 40-year despotic rule of President Hosni Mubarak. Bishop Ashot Mnatsakanyan had reassured me that the situation in the country was peaceful, and that the community was looking forward to my visit, as they have been reading my weekly columns in local Armenian newspapers.

Upon my arrival in Cairo, I visited the Diocesan headquarters and the Armenian Embassy, where I encountered a familiar face. Amb. Armen Melkonian, an old friend, had served as the consul general of Armenia in Los Angeles a decade ago. After a pleasant lunch with the Primate and the ambassador on a restaurant-ship on the Nile, I spent the afternoon at a massive shopping mall in Cairo buying new clothes, as my suitcase was left behind in London by British Airways. I refrained from purchasing items that carried the “Made in Turkey” label.

Cairo is a highly congested city of 17 million. It takes more than an hour to travel a short distance. Most traffic lights do not work and no police are seen in the streets. The most shocking site in Cairo is the “City of the Dead,” a cemetery where tens of thousands of people live among the tombs. Amazingly, thousands of satellite dishes are perched on the tombs! One wonders how the destitute residents of the cemetery can afford satellite TV?

In the evening of April 28, I spoke at the Armenian Genocide commemoration in Cairo on the topic, “Genocide Recognition or Pursuit of Justice?” The next day, I traveled to the historic city of Alexandria where I delivered similar remarks at the commemorative event organized by the Armenian community.

Returning to Cairo, I participated in a town-hall meeting on May 2, during which community members questioned me on contemporary Armenian issues. The inevitable question that almost always comes up during my talks was, not surprisingly, also raised in Cairo and Alexandria: “Do Armenians lose their rights for genocide restitution after 100 years?” My answer was a firm NO. There are no statutes of limitation on the crime of genocide under international law.

One of the highlights of the trip was the reception dedicated to the printing of my Arabic book in Cairo, originally published in Beirut, titled The Armenian Genocide: The World Speaks Out: 1915-2005, Documents and Declarations. The book signing ceremony was held at the Armenian Embassy in the presence of representatives from other embassies, members of the Egyptian media, scholars from local universities, Armenian community leaders, and members of the clergy. Brief remarks were made by Melkonian and Prof. Mohammad Rifa’at al-Imam, who wrote the introduction to the Egyptian edition of the book, followed by my concluding comments. While in Cairo I gave a number of interviews published in Arabic, English, and Armenian in the local press.

I had the pleasure of visiting colleagues at Housaper and Arev Armenian newspapers. I also paid a heart-breaking visit to the Kalousdian School, which was days away from shutting its doors due to a shortage of students after serving the educational needs of the community for more than 150 years. The Kalousdian School will be merging with the Noubarian School in Cairo.

While the Armenian community is safe in Egypt, it is struggling to cope with the uncertainties of a country slowly transitioning from military to civilian rule. The newly formed parliament, dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists, may be disbanded and replaced with a more representative body. Later this month, Egyptians have the opportunity to elect a president who could take bold initiatives to begin healing their ancient and glorious country’s many ills.

In recent years, a large number of Armenians left Egypt for greener pastures in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Yet, those who have remained are doing their utmost to cling to their language, religion, and ethnic traditions. Fortunately, local Armenian organizations can benefit from vast real-estate holdings bequeathed to them decades ago by Armenians who were wealthy businessmen and high-ranking Egyptian government officials.

It is incumbent on the government of Armenia and Armenians worldwide to extend a helping hand to their compatriots in Cairo and Alexandria and not allow these once-vibrant communities to turn into ghost towns with extensive resources that only a few would enjoy.

Harut Sassounian

Harut Sassounian

California Courier Editor
Harut Sassounian is the publisher of The California Courier, a weekly newspaper based in Glendale, Calif. He is the president of the Armenia Artsakh Fund, a non-profit organization that has donated to Armenia and Artsakh one billion dollars of humanitarian aid, mostly medicines, since 1989 (including its predecessor, the United Armenian Fund). He has been decorated by the presidents of Armenia and Artsakh and the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic churches. He is also the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
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3 Comments To "Sassounian: Armenians in Egypt: Dwindling Yet Resilient in a Country in Turmoil"

#1 Comment By M.S.K. On May 16, 2012 @ 3:31 pm

The whole Armenian communities in the Middle East are in a state of anxiety. We well know Armenia is a poor country but I wonder why the Armenian millionaires and billionaires are not helping to relocate the said Armenians to their fatherland (Armenia)?

#2 Comment By Sella On May 16, 2012 @ 9:36 pm

Because most of the Armenian millionaires and billionaires, like other Armenians, do not care. Those few millionaires and very very few billionaires who care cannot take that huge financial burden to relocate all or majority of Armenians to Armenia and support them in Armenia until they settle.

We should not rely on millionaires and billionaires. If only every Armenian could donate just $10-50 per months we would not even need help from millionaires and billionaires.

#3 Comment By gaytzag palandjian On May 16, 2012 @ 5:37 pm

Dear MSK,
You are damned right(please forgiv e my French).In this respect do please read my articles lodged in …www.armeniannews.info…..clcik on Users articles.
It is one or two of these that specifically deal with REPATRIATION.However, before we can just dream of that, we have to RE ORGANIZE and that is mentioned thoroughly in my other articles therein contained.I have submitted these to our ¨dear¨ press,whether in Diasporac or Homeland..none so far publishes them.Thence I landed with those nice youngmen who run the above web site and they gladly host my articles.I ´m hoping they will soon be in a position to host my articles in armenian aswell.
Yes,we do need to relocate (let´s not dream too much) all but at the very least one TENTH OF OUR Diaspora population.Those that are recent immigrants mainly and in Russia,EU and US, But also near half or more from the Middle Eastern restful countries.Latter face danger not just assimilation or otherwise.
best Hasgcoghin