In 2020, just as quarantines were being lifted during the global pandemic, Dr. Julia Hallisy discovered that she was one generation removed from genocide. Hallisy had always assumed that her family's immigration story followed the common narrative of coming to America for greater opportunities and a better life.
The European Day of Languages is celebrated each year on September 26. It was established in 2001 by a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Although Turkey is a member of the Council of Europe, its linguistic policies have led to the eradication of many native languages spoken on its soil.
Tur Abdin, Turkey -- The International Idil (Azech) Assyrian Federation has accused Azech Mayor Türkan Kayir of using municipal powers to target Assyrian residents and their properties. The Federation alleges that recent sealing and demolition orders are part of personal disputes--rather than impartial enforcement of municipal regulations--and a retaliation campaign against members of the Assyrian...
Turkey -- The AKP-run municipal administration in the Idil district of Sirnak province is issuing demolition orders against homes and commercial premises belonging to members of the Assyrian community. Four of the affected Assyrian citizens have already initiated legal proceedings against the measures. Nevertheless, their buildings were demolished before the court could rule on their objections.
Midyat, Turkey -- The Second Civil Court of First Instance in Medyad (Midyat) has ruled that members of a Assyrian family from Tur Abdin may not officially change their Turkish surname to their original Assyrian family name, Assyrian newspaper Gazete Sabro reports. The ruling concerns members of a Assyrian family registered in the village of Anhel (Yemisli) in Tur Abdin.
In a previous article about jizya, the author argued that the poll tax imposed on Christians and Jews under Islamic rule functioned as a religiously mandated instrument of subjugation rather than a reciprocal protection fee.