The Assyrian Journal

18/09/2025

Dr. Julia Bajone Hallisy uncovered her family’s history — and learned her grandparents survived the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocide.

Reflecting on this story of survival, Hallisy learned that the world of one hundred years ago looked eerily similar to our world today — forced separation, displacement, even genocide will never be a phenomenon of the past, she argues.

But understanding her family's history made her hyper aware of the struggles of others, she writes, and the tragedies of the old world have taught her to seek out new perspectives, strengthen her faith and turn away from fear.

"Taking small actions is my starting point," she writes. "I rein in feelings of cynicism and judgment. Slowing down my thought process allows time for careful reflection and deliberation. I practice pausing and asking if my words and actions model my values."

Discovering in my mid-fifties that I’m one generation removed from genocide changed my life.  I now live with the understanding that my very existence is miraculous — and I feel a responsibility to fight for the type of world that once opened their hearts to those who suffer. I’m Assyrian...

18/08/2025

Lo**ta Emmanuel is an Assyrian musician and Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Her work blends music and research to study how Assyrians sustain cultural heritage through music.

She was selected for a two-week media residency at the Australian Broadcasting Company, where she'll propel her research to broader audiences.

“When we’re doing research, what are we doing it for?" she said. "It’s important to have a real world impact."

“When we’re doing research, what are we doing it for? It’s important to have a real world impact."

27/10/2024

In the Nahla Valley of northern Iraq, Assyrians in the village of Rabatkeh hide from Turkey airstrikes and neighboring PKK militants.

“We don’t have bunkers,” said Khushaba Oshana, 39. “If you stay in the room, there are windows, big windows. And you don’t know where the rockets will come from… So we do our best to squeeze ourselves between two walls. If you go between the room and the toilet, there is a narrow corridor. We do our best to stay there.”

Read more at the link in our bio.

26/06/2024

Robert Bet Sayad, Assyrian singer and songwriter who fled Iran with his family during the budding Islamic Revolution, who later wrote nationalist and love songs such as “Qala d’Yimma” and “Leven Moonshiyakh,” and who dedicated his life to works of charity, died on May 26. He was 72 years old.

Robert Bet Sayad, Assyrian singer and songwriter who fled Iran with his family during the budding Islamic Revolution, who later wrote nationalist and love songs such as Qala d’Yimma and Leven Moonshiyakh, and who dedicated his life to works of charity, died on May 26. He was 72 years old.

21/04/2024

The Hammurabi Cultural Center, comprised of a library, computer lab, lecture hall, workshop and souvenir shop, opened to the public in Alqosh, Iraq on April 7. The aim of the project, organizers said, is to alleviate the financial costs and travel burdens of the town’s estimated 500 students.

By Joe Snell | April 21, 2024 When Ranna Salem prepared for her wedding last December, she balked at the $25,000 it would cost to buy flowers. So she and her fiance Chris Salem skipped the traditional decor, replacing them with cards that read the money would go toward something...