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Top Notable Assyrians People: Well-Known Individuals

By - December 14, 2023, 8:20 am

Assyrians are an ethnic group who trace their roots back to the ancient Assyrian empire in Mesopotamia. They have a rich cultural heritage and have made significant contributions in various fields, including entertainment, politics, and sports. Here are 10 popular Assyrian celebrities and notable people:

  • 1. Rami Malek: The Oscar-winning actor is of Assyrian and Egyptian descent. He gained international recognition for his role as Freddie Mercury in the film “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
  • 2. Linda George: Known as the “Queen of Assyrian pop,” Linda George is a renowned Assyrian singer who has captured the hearts of Assyrian music lovers with her melodious voice.
  • 3. Rosie Malek-Yonan: An Assyrian-American actress, author, and human rights activist, Rosie Malek-Yonan has appeared in films such as “The Prince of Persia” and has written the critically acclaimed memoir “The Crimson Field.”
  • 4. Ashur Sargis: A popular Assyrian singer, Ashur Sargis has been entertaining audiences with his soulful voice for several decades. He is known for his emotional performances and unique style.
  • 5. Sargon Dadesho: A talented Assyrian musician, Sargon Dadesho is famous for his compositions and performances that blend Western and Assyrian music traditions. He has released multiple albums and performed in various countries.
  • 6. Jeremy Bonomo: Jeremy Bonomo is a professional soccer player of Assyrian descent. He has played for several clubs in Europe and North America, showcasing his skills on the field.
  • 7. Juliana Jendo: A beloved Assyrian singer, Juliana Jendo has captivated audiences with her vibrant performances and beautiful voice. She has released numerous albums and gained a strong following.
  • 8. Yonadam Kanna: Yonadam Kanna is an Assyrian politician and a prominent member of the Iraqi Parliament. He has been actively advocating for the rights and representation of Assyrians in Iraq.
  • 9. Ronnie James Dio: Although primarily known as an American heavy metal singer, Ronnie James Dio was of Italian and Assyrian descent. He fronted bands like Black Sabbath and Dio, leaving a lasting impact on the music industry.
  • 10. Nineb Lamassu: Nineb Lamassu is a talented Assyrian artist known for his sculptures and paintings. His works often depict Assyrian history and culture, preserving and promoting the Assyrian identity.
Assyrians are an indigenous ethnic group native to Mesopotamia, a geographical region in West Asia. Modern Assyrians descend from Ancient Mesopotamians such as ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, originating from the ancient indigenous Mesopotamians of Akkad and Sumer, who first developed the civilisation in northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) that would become Assyria in 2600 BCE. Modern Assyrians may culturally self-identify as Syriacs, Chaldeans, or Arameans for religious, geographic, and tribal identification.Assyrians speak Akkadian-influenced Aramaic (Suret, Turoyo), one of the oldest continuously spoken and written languages and one of the oldest alphabetically written languages in the world. Aramaic has influenced Hebrew, Arabic, and some parts of Mongolian and Uighur. Aramaic was the lingua franca of West Asia and the language spoken by Jesus. Assyrians are almost exclusively Christian, with most adhering to the East and West Syriac liturgical rites of Christianity. The churches that constitute the East Syriac rite include the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East, whereas the churches of the West Syriac rite are the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Syriac Catholic Church. Both rites use Classical Syriac as their liturgical language. The ancestral indigenous lands that form the Assyrian homeland are those of ancient Mesopotamia and the Zab rivers, a region currently divided between modern-day Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria. A majority of modern Assyrians have migrated to other regions of the world, including North America, the Levant, Australia, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus. Emigration was triggered by genocidal events such as the massacres in Hakkari, the massacres of Diyarbekır, the Assyrian genocide (concurrent with the Armenian and Greek genocides) during World War I by the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes, the Simele massacre, the Iranian Revolution, Arab Nationalist Ba'athist policies in Iraq (between the years 1968–2003) and in Syria with the takeover by Islamic State of many parts in Syria and Iraq, particularly the Nineveh Plains between 2014–2017. Events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq by United States and its allies, and the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, have displaced much of the remaining Assyrian community from their homeland as a result of ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists. Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the United Nations to have fled Iraq since the occupation, nearly 40% were indigenous Assyrians, even though Assyrians accounted for only around 3% of the pre-war Iraqi demography.The emergence of the Islamic State and the occupation of a significant portion of the Assyrian homeland resulted in another major wave of Assyrian displacement. The Islamic State was driven out from the Assyrian villages in the Khabour River Valley and the areas surrounding the city of Al-Hasakah in Syria by 2015, and from the Nineveh Plains in Iraq by 2017. In 2014, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units was formed and many Assyrians joined the force to defend themselves. The organization later became part of Iraqi Armed forces and played a key role in liberating areas previously held by the Islamic State during the War in Iraq. In northern Syria, Assyrian groups have been taking part both politically and militarily in the Kurdish-dominated but multiethnic Syrian Democratic Forces (see Khabour Guards and Sutoro) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

Most Famous Assyrians People

Assyrians’s Three Pinnacle Historical Inheritances

The Assyrians are an ancient Semitic-speaking people who have a rich and distinctive heritage. They are believed to be one of the oldest civilizations in history, with a culture that dates back more than 4,000 years. Over the centuries, the Assyrians have made significant contributions to the fields of art, literature, and science, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to influence the world today.

1. The Assyrian Empire

One of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Assyrians is the Assyrian Empire. At its height, this empire was one of the largest in the world, stretching from modern-day Iraq to Egypt and encompassing parts of present-day Turkey, Iran, and Syria. The Assyrian Empire was known for its highly advanced military tactics and sophisticated bureaucratic systems. They also developed the first library in the ancient world, known as the Library of Ashurbanipal, which housed thousands of clay tablets containing important historical and literary texts.

2. Ashur, the God of the Assyrians

Another important aspect of Assyrian heritage is their religion, which centered around the worship of Ashur, the chief god of the Assyrian pantheon. Ashur was considered the progenitor of the Assyrian people and the patron deity of their empire. The Assyrians built magnificent temples dedicated to Ashur, decorated with intricate carvings and reliefs that depicted scenes from mythology and the glories of the empire. These temples served as centers of religious and cultural life, and their ruins can still be found in modern-day Iraq and Syria.

3. The Assyrian Language

The Assyrian language, also known as Assyrian Neo-Aramaic or Syriac, is a distinct Semitic language that has its roots in ancient Mesopotamia. Despite centuries of displacement and assimilation, the Assyrian language has managed to survive, thanks to the efforts of dedicated scholars and community members. Today, it is spoken by Assyrian communities around the world and continues to be an important symbol of Assyrian identity. Assyrian literature, including ancient texts such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, has been preserved in this language and provides valuable insights into the history and culture of the Assyrians.

Key points:

  • The Assyrians were known for their highly advanced military tactics and bureaucratic systems during the Assyrian Empire.
  • Ashur, the chief god of the Assyrian pantheon, played a significant role in their religion and cultural practices.
  • The Assyrian language, also known as Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, has managed to survive despite centuries of displacement and assimilation.
Assyrians are an indigenous ethnic group native to Mesopotamia, a geographical region in West Asia. Modern Assyrians descend from Ancient Mesopotamians such as ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, originating from the ancient indigenous Mesopotamians of Akkad and Sumer, who first developed the civilisation in northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) that would become Assyria in 2600 BCE. Modern Assyrians may culturally self-identify as Syriacs, Chaldeans, or Arameans for religious, geographic, and tribal identification.Assyrians speak Akkadian-influenced Aramaic (Suret, Turoyo), one of the oldest continuously spoken and written languages and one of the oldest alphabetically written languages in the world. Aramaic has influenced Hebrew, Arabic, and some parts of Mongolian and Uighur. Aramaic was the lingua franca of West Asia and the language spoken by Jesus. Assyrians are almost exclusively Christian, with most adhering to the East and West Syriac liturgical rites of Christianity. The churches that constitute the East Syriac rite include the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East, whereas the churches of the West Syriac rite are the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Syriac Catholic Church. Both rites use Classical Syriac as their liturgical language. The ancestral indigenous lands that form the Assyrian homeland are those of ancient Mesopotamia and the Zab rivers, a region currently divided between modern-day Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria. A majority of modern Assyrians have migrated to other regions of the world, including North America, the Levant, Australia, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus. Emigration was triggered by genocidal events such as the massacres in Hakkari, the massacres of Diyarbekır, the Assyrian genocide (concurrent with the Armenian and Greek genocides) during World War I by the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes, the Simele massacre, the Iranian Revolution, Arab Nationalist Ba'athist policies in Iraq (between the years 1968–2003) and in Syria with the takeover by Islamic State of many parts in Syria and Iraq, particularly the Nineveh Plains between 2014–2017. Events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq by United States and its allies, and the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, have displaced much of the remaining Assyrian community from their homeland as a result of ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists. Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the United Nations to have fled Iraq since the occupation, nearly 40% were indigenous Assyrians, even though Assyrians accounted for only around 3% of the pre-war Iraqi demography.The emergence of the Islamic State and the occupation of a significant portion of the Assyrian homeland resulted in another major wave of Assyrian displacement. The Islamic State was driven out from the Assyrian villages in the Khabour River Valley and the areas surrounding the city of Al-Hasakah in Syria by 2015, and from the Nineveh Plains in Iraq by 2017. In 2014, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units was formed and many Assyrians joined the force to defend themselves. The organization later became part of Iraqi Armed forces and played a key role in liberating areas previously held by the Islamic State during the War in Iraq. In northern Syria, Assyrian groups have been taking part both politically and militarily in the Kurdish-dominated but multiethnic Syrian Democratic Forces (see Khabour Guards and Sutoro) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

Assyrians People

Factsheet About Assyrians People

Country Population Percentage
Iraq 1,400,000 40%
Syria 400,000 10%
Iran 200,000 5%
Turkey 100,000 3%
Lebanon 30,000 1%
Other countries 270,000 7%
Assyrians are an indigenous ethnic group native to Mesopotamia, a geographical region in West Asia. Modern Assyrians descend from Ancient Mesopotamians such as ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, originating from the ancient indigenous Mesopotamians of Akkad and Sumer, who first developed the civilisation in northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) that would become Assyria in 2600 BCE. Modern Assyrians may culturally self-identify as Syriacs, Chaldeans, or Arameans for religious, geographic, and tribal identification.Assyrians speak Akkadian-influenced Aramaic (Suret, Turoyo), one of the oldest continuously spoken and written languages and one of the oldest alphabetically written languages in the world. Aramaic has influenced Hebrew, Arabic, and some parts of Mongolian and Uighur. Aramaic was the lingua franca of West Asia and the language spoken by Jesus. Assyrians are almost exclusively Christian, with most adhering to the East and West Syriac liturgical rites of Christianity. The churches that constitute the East Syriac rite include the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East, whereas the churches of the West Syriac rite are the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Syriac Catholic Church. Both rites use Classical Syriac as their liturgical language. The ancestral indigenous lands that form the Assyrian homeland are those of ancient Mesopotamia and the Zab rivers, a region currently divided between modern-day Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria. A majority of modern Assyrians have migrated to other regions of the world, including North America, the Levant, Australia, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus. Emigration was triggered by genocidal events such as the massacres in Hakkari, the massacres of Diyarbekır, the Assyrian genocide (concurrent with the Armenian and Greek genocides) during World War I by the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes, the Simele massacre, the Iranian Revolution, Arab Nationalist Ba'athist policies in Iraq (between the years 1968–2003) and in Syria with the takeover by Islamic State of many parts in Syria and Iraq, particularly the Nineveh Plains between 2014–2017. Events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq by United States and its allies, and the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, have displaced much of the remaining Assyrian community from their homeland as a result of ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists. Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the United Nations to have fled Iraq since the occupation, nearly 40% were indigenous Assyrians, even though Assyrians accounted for only around 3% of the pre-war Iraqi demography.The emergence of the Islamic State and the occupation of a significant portion of the Assyrian homeland resulted in another major wave of Assyrian displacement. The Islamic State was driven out from the Assyrian villages in the Khabour River Valley and the areas surrounding the city of Al-Hasakah in Syria by 2015, and from the Nineveh Plains in Iraq by 2017. In 2014, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units was formed and many Assyrians joined the force to defend themselves. The organization later became part of Iraqi Armed forces and played a key role in liberating areas previously held by the Islamic State during the War in Iraq. In northern Syria, Assyrian groups have been taking part both politically and militarily in the Kurdish-dominated but multiethnic Syrian Democratic Forces (see Khabour Guards and Sutoro) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

The Ancient Heritage of Assyrians Ethnic Groups

References to the Assyrians Ethnic Group

The Assyrians are an ancient ethnic group who are indigenous to the region of Mesopotamia, which is present-day Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. They have a rich history and culture dating back thousands of years. To dig deeper into the Assyrian ethnic group, here are some references and resources:

  • “Assyrians: The Continuous Saga” – This book by Fred Aprim provides an in-depth look at the history, identity, and issues faced by the Assyrians. It explores their ancient roots, the challenges they have faced throughout history, and their modern-day struggles for recognition and preservation of their culture.
  • “Assyrians: Kurds, Ottomans, and Modern Turkey” – This book by Hannibal Travis delves into the complex relationship between the Assyrians, Kurds, and the Ottoman Empire. It explores the political, social, and cultural dynamics that have shaped the history of this region and impacted the Assyrian community.
  • “The Assyrian World” – Edited by Heather Ferguson, this comprehensive academic work brings together contributions from various experts in the field to provide a multidimensional understanding of the Assyrians. It covers topics such as language, religion, politics, and the diaspora.
  • Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) – AINA is an online news and information portal dedicated to covering Assyrian-related news from around the world. It offers a wealth of articles, interviews, and resources for gaining insight into the Assyrian community and its current affairs.
  • Assyrian Church News – This website focuses on news and updates related to the Assyrian Church of the East, one of the ancient Christian denominations that the Assyrians belong to. It provides information on religious practices, traditions, and events within the Assyrian community.

These references and resources will serve as valuable tools to further explore the history, culture, and current issues faced by the Assyrians. Whether you are interested in their ancient civilization, their language and religion, or their modern-day struggles, these sources will provide you with a deeper understanding of the Assyrian ethnic group.

That concludes the information we can provide about famous Assyrians individuals. Thank you for reading.

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