Arab tribal leaders pay tribute to Genocide victims

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Arab tribal leaders pay tribute to Genocide victims



Yerevan, March 30, Yerkir. A delegation of 12 Arab tribal leaders, accompanied by National Assembly's Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) faction and the ARF Armenia Supreme Body members, visited Tuesday the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

The delegation members prayed for the victims' souls. Speaking to reporters, they pointed out that no one can deny the reality of the Genocide that is proven by numerous documents.

The Arab tribal leaders of the northern Syria are in Armenia to take part in the events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The trip has been organized by the Armenian community of Syria.



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GENOCIDE OF ARMENIANS BY OTTOMAN TURKEY IN 1915 IS A BARBAROUS CRIME AND DISPLAY OF RELIGIOUS FANATICISM OF TURKS: SHEIK OF ARAB TRIBE

YEREVAN, MARCH 29. ARMINFO. Genocide of Armenians by Ottoman Turkey in 1915 is a barbarous crime and display of religious fanaticism of Turks, Sheik of the second branch of the Bagara tribe Nauaf Al Bashir who arrived in Yerevan as part of the delegation of influential sheiks of 12 tribes of North-Eastern regions of Syria says in his interview to the Armenian TV Channel "Armenia."

Sheik states that the delegation arrived to commemorate the victims of the inhuman crime - Genocide. He says that leaders of Ashiret tribes enjoying a great influence in Arab world, provided shelter to Armenians who escaped from the Genocide. The successors of these Armenians live with Arab people and enjoy equal rights. The sheik says that Jordan Monarch sent a manifest to the two most influential Arab emirs in 1917 asking for shelter to the Armenians and to display of a well-disposed attitude to them, as "Armenians are religious and God obedient people." Since then, relations of Arabs and Armenians have become warmer and Armenians were not forced to change their religion when marrying Arabs. Tomorrow the delegation with meet with Armenian Agricultural Minister David Lokyan. They also will meet with His Holiness Garegin II Catholicos of All Armenians and will visit Gyumri. The guests will leave for Syria on April 3.

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Armenian Nation will Gain its Rights if it has the Will to do so



"Our wish is that the Armenian nation regains its former borders, gets back its historic lands and creates free, independent and united Armenia", Muhammad al Fares, head of the Al Tay tribe, said after the 12 Arab tribe leaders prayed at the Memorial of the Armenian Genocide.

Delegation of the Syrian tribe leaders accompanied by representatives of the Armenian Revolutionary Party visited Tsitsernakaberd yesterday to pay tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Each of them has something to say as they brought with them memories of their families about the Armenians who escaped massacres and their starving orphans.

Sheikh al Fares recalled his grandfather telling that their settlement was dangerous for Armenians and together with his tribesmen he led the Armenians out to a Yezidi at the mount of Snjar until situation settled in his region.

"Our Armenian brothers are part of our life. We contribute to Syria's social, economical development hand in hand. At first, Armenians lived in rural areas, working the soil, breeding cattle, wearing our national dresses and keeping their traditions and customs. They lived their lives beside us, identified with us, showing their courage, hospitality, openness, the best features oftheir character. Moreover, during arguments, discords and even clashes within our tribes they stepped in displaying the main feature of the Armenian nation- love for peace. We have noticed no evil intentions in Armenians", he said adding that Armenians living in deserts with Arabs even got used to eating with hands.

Answering daily Azg's question as to what he thinks about Turkey's denialist policy in the Armenian Genocide issue, he said that the existence of today's Armenia is the greatest answer to the Turks and that it's not essential whether they recognize the Genocide or not. "As far as the Armenian nation has the will to go on with its claims, I am sure it will gain its rights", he said.

Sheikh Nauaf al Bashir from the Bagar tribe told that the Arabs helped Armenians even when their were threatened not to do so. But the Arabs fearlessly hid the Armenians in their homes treating them as friends.

"They want to tell those questioning the fact of Armenian Genocide that their fathers were eyewitnesses of the events, that all they told was true", Khachik Majikian from Aleppo said.

The tribe leaders said that the elders of their tribes bequeathed to have a place for the Armenians in their hearts. There were newborn orphans among the Armenians of Al Tay tribe who were fed up by Arab women. Half of around 70 thousand Armenians of Syria returned to motherland in 1946, others wedded Arabs.

Armen Melkonian, Armenian envoy to Aleppo, was in the Syrian delegation as well. He noted that the tribe leaders voice their personal opinion, as Syria has not defined its state policy in regard to the Armenian Genocide.