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 Assyrian memorial supporters put their case 

Assyrian memorial supporters put their case

25 Nov, 2009 08:55 AM
PLANS to build the monument opposite Bonnyrigg Park, on the corner of Smithfield Road and Elizabeth Drive, were spearheaded by the Assyrian Universal Alliance earlier this year.

The group has proposed a memorial statue that stands 4.5metres tall surrounded by a landscaped garden that is proposed to be named the Garden of Nineveh, after the capital city of ancient Assyria.

Assyrian Universal Alliance deputy secretary-general Hermiz Shahen said the monument ``would mean a lot to the Assyrian community, who are now a stateless people''.

``It's something to remind us of the atrocities of war and to enlighten people about the displacement of the Assyrian people,'' he said.

This memorial was proposed to the council at the same time as the unveiling of the Assyrian/Anzac war memorial in Fairfield Park.

``The memorials are different. One honours the soldiers who fought alongside the Australians in the war and this proposed one is for the martyrs who were massacred,'' he said.

Mr Shahen has big plans for the site, which he hopes will become ``a pilgrimage site''. ``Erecting this Assyrian Genocide Statue at Fairfield will remind viewers of a time gone by and reflect upon the achievements of mankind,'' he said.

``Without these artefacts, we would have no knowledge of human events and for this reason it is important to share those memories with our future generations.''

Assyrian-Aust ralian Joseph Adams supports a memorial for the genocide but would rather see the genocide officially recognised by the Commonwealth.

``I'm all for memorials but I think this issue needs to be officially recognised and erecting a memorial is misleading,'' he said.

``The genocide should be officially recognised to show the Assyrian community that we're sensitive to the massacre that occurred more than 95 years ago.''

In 2002, the NSW Local Government Association met with the Assyrian Universal Alliance to discuss recognition of the Assyrian Genocide and Martyrs' Day but no official recognition has been granted.

Mr Adams would like to see Prospect MP Chris Bowen or Smithfield MP Ninos Khoshaba standing up for the Assyrian community on this issue.

``We need to see ink on paper to say that the genocide actually occurred,'' he said.

``If you're going to build something that big it should be officially recognised.''

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Date: Newest first | Oldest first
If the assyrians want this memorial so bad , brothers put your hands in your pocket fund it yourselves on your property no problems .Please consider all the other nation that also have similar intentions that are waiting if you give to one you give to all . thats why we have anzac day where we all can remember together without selfishley looking at ratepayers to fund needs irelivant to others . So please council no more monuments , the only thing there good for is pidgeons in transit and vandals of opposing ilk to stir up troubles of the past . Enough said . Risto .
Posted by risto, 26/11/2009 9:02:09 AM, on Fairfield Champion
Risto, Anzac Day? We are not talking about war here. Assyrians march alongside Australians on Anzac Day as they fought alongside them in the World War. We are talking about about the Assyrian Genocide that more 750,000 were perished! There is a very large Assyrian community in Fairfield and we should all support having this monument erected to commemorate the Assyrian Genocide and also to remember that Genocide to any nation should NEVER happen again; hence the World in the hand!
Posted by Assyrian, 26/11/2009 1:08:28 PM, on Fairfield Champion
The memorial site suggested by AUA brings awareness to the genocide of the oppressed Assyrian nation. The site centralizes scattered tragic memories of an almost forgotten genocide done to the ancestors of those Australian-Assyrians. It visualizes and narrates the sad stories to the current and future generations.
Posted by TiqlathAshur, 26/11/2009 9:22:56 PM, on Fairfield Champion
Despite all the differences we have, every single Assyrian should be proud of this historic Monument - this is a symbol for all Assyrian victims of genocide. This should have happened long ago. I would like to congratulate the Assyrian Universal Alliance on this achievement and congratulate all organisations and individuals that have supported this idea. The people within Fairfield City Council, including those in the City Management Level and Councilors, are well aware and acknowledge the communities of Fairfield better than anyone else. Mrs. Irwin is on the wrong track with her comments regarding this issue. I think it is very important that people educate themselves about this issue before they jump to conclusions and form naive opinions. The Assyrian people, like many other nations, have suffered throughout history and this monument provides a reminder of this for generations to come.
Posted by Nenos, 26/11/2009 9:31:33 PM, on Fairfield Champion
open your eyes and ears and learn so this does not happen again to any one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9 qgHLGdwB8
Posted by normal guy, 11/12/2009 8:06:01 PM, on Fairfield Champion

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Places to remember: Above is an artist's impression of the proposed genocide memorial  for opposite Bonnyrigg Park. On the left is the Assyrian/Anzac war memorial which was opened two weeks ago at Fairfield Park.Picture left: Wesley Lonergan
Places to remember: Above is an artist's impression of the proposed genocide memorial for opposite Bonnyrigg Park. On the left is the Assyrian/Anzac war memorial which was opened two weeks ago at Fairfield Park.Picture left: Wesley Lonergan
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