19 02 2007 - National Association for Armenian Studies and Research

Sunday March 4, 2007 - TIME: 4:00 p.m.

Armenians have had an uninterrupted presence in Egypt from the Roman and Byzantine periods to modern times and, although numerically the smallest, they rose to rank first among Egypt's diverse minorities mainly because of their active involvement in the fabric of Egyptian society.

As personalities have counted far more than systems in Egypt, Muslim Armenians have held leadership positions during the 11th and 12th centuries, contributing to the political, economic, military, and cultural development of medieval Egypt. Most of them were former slaves, yet they had a palpable awareness of their identity and an appreciation of their heritage as Armenians. During their tenure, the Armenian See was established which functions to this day, Armenian armed forces were instituted, and waves of Armenian refugees were given opportunities to rebuild their lives, worship freely, and develop a prosperous community.

Zeitlian offers a unique perspective on Armenian leaders, highlighting their sense of responsibility as citizens, their respect for the law and social justice, and the humanitarian treatment of people, regardless of rank, economic standing, religion, or ethnic origin. They upheld these values at a time when the concept of human rights did not even exist.

Sona Zeitlian was born in Cairo, Egypt. She has studied social sciences and psychology at the American University in Cairo and taught in community schools in Cairo and Beirut, and finally in Los Angeles since 1989. She has acted as senior editor of Los Angeles-based HSZ Publications. In 1995 she was nominated to the Advisory Board of the Gustave E. Von Grunebaum Center for Near Eastern Studies at UCLA. She has been active in educational work and community service and is highly acclaimed for her lectures, panel discussions, and seminars.

This lecture is co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR).

LOCATION:
Ararat-Eskijian Museum
15105 Mission Hills Road
Mission Hills, CA 91345

Co-sponsored by the Ararat-Eskijian Museum and NAASR
Ararat-Eskijian Museum
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
Sona Zeitlian
Author, The Armenians in Egypt

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