Lebanese-Armenian Facing A New Calamity
While the
precarious situation of the Iraqi-Armenian community still
remains a source of concern and worry, the Diaspora has come
face to face with a new calamity which threatens one of the
solid pillars of Armenian presence in the Middle East. The
Armenian community of Lebanon -- whose odyssey during the
long and devastating Civil War is still fresh in our minds
-- again, faces an immediate threat of disruption and
decimation.
The on-going
brutal assault on Lebanese cities and population,
perpetrated in plain view of the international community,
has stunned the world with its disproportionate scope and
multiplicity of targets, causing countless civilian
casual-ties. Leaders of world opinion have already condemned
the indiscriminate destruction of Lebanon’s infrastructure
and demand an immediate cessation of all military action,
while the conflict continues with no sign of remission.
Fellow
Armenians, today, the school buildings and athletic fields
of our community in Bourj Hamoud are full of Lebanese
refugees fleeing the zones of armed conflict, while the ARS
Boulghurjian Socio-Medical Center in Beirut is treating
hundreds of people who are casualties of this deadly
conflict.
As in the
past, this time also, the Armenian Relief Society calls on
our supporters and all caring Armenians to render the
necessary humanitarian assistance to our beleaguered people
in the conflict zone. You can do this by sending your
tax-exempt donations for the “ARS Lebanese Relief” to
your local ARS affiliate’s office.
In these
catastrophic days for the hospitable Lebanese people, let us
show the world that we are cognizant of our commitments
towards all those whose generous hospitality, 91 years ago,
granted new life and prosperity to our homeless multitudes,
decimated, starved and brutalized by the 1st
genocide of the past century.
ARS, INC. CENTRAL EXECUTIVE
BOARD
July 20, 2006