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 on-going
turmoil in Egypt since the toppling of the 40-year despotic rule of Pres. 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 of “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,
not surprisingly was 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 Amb. 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.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder
Not: Yalnızca bu blogun üyesi yorum gönderebilir.