A number of activists and figures from the Assyrian community in Sydney agreed that they are proud to be Australians and to live in peace with others. They enjoy the excellent services that Australia provides to their community. They considered the celebration of Australia Day a happiness and an expression of unity.
Activist and former director of the Assyrian Language School, George Gewarges , said We should be proud that the people of our nation who arrived in this country today are reaping the fruits of safety, peace and equality with the other people in the country.
He added Australia has provided a lot of services to its people, and we are among them, and this program in SBS is nothing but evidence of the treatment of the Assyrians as well as the many communities, and we mention also learning mother language schools and many other services. Today we should celebrate Australia Day as a day when we remember that we have a debt for this country.
Lawyer Natalie Audisho said in this country we were able to study, graduate and work, and today we are trying to do our part to return some services to our communities.
The film maker Jan Yaqo, said that he was happy to be a citizen of this country and to live freely as an Assyrian.
The poet Amel Mikho said that Australia Day is an important day, as we feel that Australia treats us as a human being far from distinction and discrimination. He added that we should take pride in our feeling with others from other cultures, especially the indigenous people of Australia, that we are one.
The Assyrian language teacher Amira Nissan Bet Tajee said, "I bless this day to everyone and I am happy to be an Australian .. As a language teacher I meet many teachers from many cultures and backgrounds, and we find that there is no difference between us, because the country does not differentiate at all between its children."
"We are proud that we are part of this country and part of this nation, and we are working to build this country and we live in peace," said Albert Shlemon the president of Assyrian Cultural & Social Youth Association.
He said that I am Assyrian, and pleased to celebrate Australia Day, a country that was able to be developed and become a symbol of hope and unity.
I know that there is a dispute about the date of this day, and I personally stand with the indigenous Australian people. As an Assyrian, I feel what the first Australian people are suffering.
Iwan Dawood, an Assyrian language teacher and an activist, said that when we come together in this country as Assyrians, we feel that we are living in equality with all comers from different parts of the world.
He said that we are citizens as much as we give and sacrifice for the sake of this country.
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