ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
A Syrian Antiochian Greek Christian Goldsmith Faces Beheading as Kidnappers Demand 120 Kilograms of Gold
Maher Al-Sankari, a Syrian Christian goldsmith, remains in captivity. His kidnappers are reportedly continuing to extort his family, threatening to behead him unless they pay a ransom of 120 kilograms of gold, worth approximately $15 million.
This is not merely a kidnapping for ransom. It raises a much deeper and historically familiar concern for the Christians of Syria: the systematic targeting of their livelihoods, property, and accumulated wealth.
Throughout history, Antiochian Greeks (Rum), have built their livelihoods through their own hard work, ingenuity, and perseverance, despite generations of persecution and discrimination.
They excelled in science, engineering, craftsmanship, jewelry making, goldsmithing, diamond trading, and the arts. Their prosperity was not handed to them. It was earned through generations of education, skilled labor, entrepreneurship, and dedication to their professions.
Yet their success has repeatedly made them targets of raids, confiscation, intimidation, and extortion. Demands for gold and wealth evoke a painful historical pattern in which Christians were treated as communities whose prosperity could be seized through threats and violence.
Today, the demand for 120 kilograms of gold raises the disturbing question of whether we are witnessing a modern form of jizya imposed through kidnapping and terror, rather than through any formal decree.
Surveillance cameras reportedly captured the vehicle involved in Maher’s abduction. Yet serious questions remain about the authorities’ response and their ability or willingness to bring those responsible to justice.
Maher’s life is in immediate danger if the reported threats are genuine. His family should not have to surrender a fortune to save him.
The Antiochian Greeks of Syria have contributed enormously to the civilization, economy, and cultural heritage of their homeland. They deserve protection, not persecution.
Free Maher Nours Al-Sankari. Protect Syria’s Christians. End the extortion and terror.
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
📜✨By Ahikar the Wise.
— Ahikar the Wise, Grand Vizier of Assyria (704–681 B.C.) 🦅🏛️
Ahikar the Wise is one of the most celebrated figures in ancient Assyrian Mesopotamian history and literature. According to tradition, he served as a royal advisor and Grand Vizier under the Assyrian kings Sennacherib and Esarhaddon 👑. His teachings were preserved in The Story and Wisdom of Ahikar, one of the oldest surviving works of wisdom literature from the ancient world 📖.
The Book of Ahikar survives in ancient Aramaic manuscripts dating back more than 2,700 years ⏳ and is regarded by scholars as one of the earliest collections of moral teachings and practical wisdom. Long before many classical philosophical works were written, Ahikar's sayings offered guidance on friendship, humility, justice ⚖️, leadership, loyalty 🤝, and human behavior.
🌟 What makes The Story and Wisdom of Ahikar especially remarkable is its antiquity. Originating in the Neo-Assyrian period and preserved in ancient Aramaic manuscripts, it is among the oldest surviving works of wisdom literature in the world. Very few literary texts from such an early era have survived and continued to influence generations across different civilizations. Its preservation over more than two millennia makes it a unique treasure of both Assyrian and world heritage, offering a rare glimpse into the moral teachings, values, and intellectual achievements of the ancient Near East. 📜🏺🦅
The story tells how Ahikar, a wise and respected statesman, was betrayed by his adopted nephew Nadin 💔, falsely accused, and condemned to death. Through wisdom, patience, and justice, Ahikar ultimately survived and was vindicated, while his teachings endured for generations 🌟. His story spread throughout Mesopotamia, Persia, the Levant, and Egypt, influencing later Jewish, Christian, and Near Eastern wisdom traditions 🌍.
This famous quote reminds us that perfection does not exist. True friendship is not about finding flawless people, but about understanding ❤️, patience 🙏, forgiveness 🤲, and loyalty 🤝.
📚 Read The Story and Wisdom of Ahikar the Wise:
pseudepigrapha.com/pseudepig……
🏺 More than 2,700 years later, Ahikar remains one of the greatest voices of ancient Assyrian wisdom and a lasting symbol of Assyria's intellectual, literary, and cultural heritage.
#Ahikar #AhikarTheWise #Assyria 🦅 #Assyrian #AssyrianHistory #AncientAssyria #Mesopotamia #Aramaic #WisdomLiterature 📜 #AncientWisdom #History #AssyrianHeritage #Nineveh #Sennacherib #Esarhaddon #Quotes #AncientWorld 🌍 #AssyrianPride #AncientKnowledge ✨
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
You have to email the Houthis if you want your ship to cross the Red Sea. They reply within 24hrs
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
"Centcom podcast" lmao
Listen to the first full episode of CENTCOM's new podcast "Inside CENTCOM" — out now on podcast platforms or on YouTube: youtube.com/@centcom
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Assyrian Medley ❤️💙🤍 by Lory Gulumian
Lory Gulumian, an Armenian singer from Lebanon.
She sings in four languages: Armenian, Assyrian, Arabic, and Greek.
One of the remarkable talents of the Armenian people is their ability to sing in multiple languages. Sayat-Nova is a brilliant example of this phenomenon — a trilingual singer and poet. Other examples include Tamara Khanum, Aram Tigran, Sarina Cross, and others.
This is a striking example of how Armenian singers blend the music of different cultures. This trend is a vivid expression of musical cosmopolitanism.
Multicultural Identity: Armenians have a large diaspora spread across the world. Members of this diaspora often grow up in diverse cultural environments, and naturally, their music is influenced by the cultures surrounding them. These multilingual songs reflect their diversity.
A Cultural Bridge: Multilingual music serves as a bridge between different peoples. When an Armenian performer sings in Greek, Assyrian, English, French, Arabic, or another language, they bring these cultures closer together and foster mutual understanding.
Art Without Borders: Armenian musicians who work across multiple languages and genres demonstrate that art knows no boundaries. They do not limit themselves to a single language or culture, making their artistic expression richer and more fascinating.
Geographical Location: Armenia has always been situated at the crossroads of East and West. This geographical position has naturally provided a platform for cultural dialogue, encouraging the blending of traditions.
Historical Events: The formation of a large and influential diaspora further strengthened the Armenian people's ability to adapt to and integrate into different cultures. Armenians living abroad have actively embraced local cultures while preserving their own distinct identity.
Multilingualism: As mentioned earlier, the tradition of multilingual singing in Armenian culture dates back to the time of Sayat-Nova. This tradition remains alive today and continues to be reflected in the work of contemporary performers.
All of this demonstrates that Armenians are among the world's most cosmopolitan and culturally tolerant peoples, embracing other cultures and languages with openness and respect.
This is the true beauty of cultural cosmopolitanism: embracing the world without forgetting who you are.
Perhaps this is one of the most fascinating dimensions of Armenian cultural identity — the ability to belong to one's own heritage while feeling at home in the wider world.
Armenian music is not confined to one language, one genre, or one geographical boundary. It is a living dialogue between civilizations.
Because great cultures do not build walls around themselves. They build bridges.
And sometimes, those bridges are made of music. 🎶
🇦🇲 ARMENIAN HERITAGE. GLOBAL SOUL. UNIVERSAL MUSIC.
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Kurds are Iranian ethnic group. @grok
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Everyone, guess what? Take a look at this genetic distance chart to an Ancient Assyrian sample.
Notice how even Greeks from Pontus and Anatolia as a whole cluster closer to Ancient Assyrians than Kurds do? Pontic and Cappadocian Greeks literally sit closer to our ancient DNA than Kurds do.
Also, note that the "Syrio-Mesopotamian" Iraqi Arabs here refer specifically to Iraqi Arabs from Nineveh-Mosul, not all Iraqi Arabs. Those from Najaf and Baghdad cluster closer to Nabateans, Palmyrenes, and Amorites. But even then, those distant southern Arabs cluster closer to Ancient Assyrians than 90% of Kurds do.
Yet modern Assyrians are shown clustering extremely close to this exact same ancient sample, proving our unbroken, direct continuity. Meanwhile, Kurds sit at the absolute bottom of the list, desperately trying to larp as Mesopotamians.
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Iraq 10 years ago btw
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ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Mosul names street after Assyrian priest martyred in 2006
Authorities in Iraq’s Nineveh Governorate have named a street adjacent to an Assyrian church in Mosul after Father Bulos Iskandar, the Assyrian priest abducted and murdered in the city in October 2006.
assyriapost.com/mosul-names-…
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Historic bilingualism of Akkadian & Aramaic which relates to Assyrian linguistic continuity of present dialects 'Northeastern Neo-Aramaic' (NENA)
A clipped version of the lecture, Assyrian Renaissance: Assyrians & Aramaic - Dr. Jonathan Valk
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Lory Gulumian, an Armenian singer from Lebanon.
She sings in four languages: Armenian, Assyrian, Arabic, and Greek.
One of the remarkable talents of the Armenian people is their ability to sing in multiple languages. Sayat-Nova is a brilliant example of this phenomenon — a trilingual singer and poet. Other examples include Tamara Khanum, Aram Tigran, Sarina Cross, and others.
This is a striking example of how Armenian singers blend the music of different cultures. This trend is a vivid expression of musical cosmopolitanism.
Multicultural Identity: Armenians have a large diaspora spread across the world. Members of this diaspora often grow up in diverse cultural environments, and naturally, their music is influenced by the cultures surrounding them. These multilingual songs reflect their diversity.
A Cultural Bridge: Multilingual music serves as a bridge between different peoples. When an Armenian performer sings in Greek, Assyrian, English, French, Arabic, or another language, they bring these cultures closer together and foster mutual understanding.
Art Without Borders: Armenian musicians who work across multiple languages and genres demonstrate that art knows no boundaries. They do not limit themselves to a single language or culture, making their artistic expression richer and more fascinating.
Geographical Location: Armenia has always been situated at the crossroads of East and West. This geographical position has naturally provided a platform for cultural dialogue, encouraging the blending of traditions.
Historical Events: The formation of a large and influential diaspora further strengthened the Armenian people's ability to adapt to and integrate into different cultures. Armenians living abroad have actively embraced local cultures while preserving their own distinct identity.
Multilingualism: As mentioned earlier, the tradition of multilingual singing in Armenian culture dates back to the time of Sayat-Nova. This tradition remains alive today and continues to be reflected in the work of contemporary performers.
All of this demonstrates that Armenians are among the world's most cosmopolitan and culturally tolerant peoples, embracing other cultures and languages with openness and respect.
This is the true beauty of cultural cosmopolitanism: embracing the world without forgetting who you are.
Perhaps this is one of the most fascinating dimensions of Armenian cultural identity — the ability to belong to one's own heritage while feeling at home in the wider world.
Armenian music is not confined to one language, one genre, or one geographical boundary. It is a living dialogue between civilizations.
Because great cultures do not build walls around themselves. They build bridges.
And sometimes, those bridges are made of music. 🎶
🇦🇲 ARMENIAN HERITAGE. GLOBAL SOUL. UNIVERSAL MUSIC.
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Assyria is Far from Ancient in Esther Elia’s Characterizations of Contemporary ‘Diasporic Deities’ thisiscolossal.com/2026/11/e…
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Lory Gulumian - Assyrian beautiful Medley ❤️❤️❤️
Lory Gulumian, an Armenian singer from Lebanon. She sings in four languages: Armenian, Assyrian, Arabic, and Greek.
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
Masoud Barzani, born in Mahabad, Iran, is the patriarch of a political dynasty that has consolidated enormous power and wealth in northern Iraq.
Under the KDP’s rule, the Kurdistan Region has increasingly resembled a family controlled political and economic system, with serious allegations of corruption, land appropriation and discrimination against indigenous Assyrian Christians.
Investigations have exposed the Barzani family’s extensive overseas property empire, financial links to Kurdish conglomerates and millions in unexplained personal spending.
Reuters has also documented an extensive oil-smuggling network benefiting officials connected to the Barzani and Talabani ruling parties.
Meanwhile, Assyrians and other indigenous communities continue to raise concerns about land seizures, political intimidation and unequal treatment in their ancestral homeland.
This is not simply a question of Kurdish autonomy. It is a question of accountability, indigenous rights and who actually benefits from Iraq’s resources.
Northern Iraq’s Assyrian homeland cannot remain the private estate of a foreign political dynasty.
Sources:
OCCRP – Investigation into the Barzani family’s overseas wealth and property empire:
occrp.org/en/investigation/m…
Reuters (11 July 2024) – Kurdish oil smuggling to Iran flourishes:
reuters.com/world/middle-eas…
OCCRP – US Justice Department moves to seize a mansion allegedly purchased with proceeds from a scheme defrauding the US military:
occrp.org/en/news/barzani-be…
USCIRF – Religious freedom and indigenous Christian land grievances in Iraqi Kurdistan, documented in the UK government’s September 2024 country report:
gov.uk/government/publicatio…
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
When we return next week, we’ll get 218 signatures for Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which guarantees a vote.
Survivors will be able to get their own records, State Attorneys General can prosecute crimes, and we can take the DOJ to court for keeping critical files hidden.⚖️
ܟܘܠܝܢ retweeted
اخبار اشورية في الالفينات....
نائب أسترالي يدعو إلى توفير ملاذ آمن للآشوريين في العراق....
- عقد فرع التحالف الآشوري العالمي في أستراليا (AUA) عدة اجتماعات مع مسؤولين حكوميين أستراليين، وقدم رسائل وتقارير مفصلة أعرب فيها عن قلقه إزاء الهجمات العنيفة في العراق التي تستهدف



































