Prayer Vigil and Emergency Fundraiser for Assyrians Held Hostage in Syria

LOS ANGELES — On March 8, 2015, the Assyrian American Association of Southern California (AAASC), with its headquarters in North Hollywood, will be holding a prayer vigil followed by an
emergency fundraiser for the recent attacks against Assyrian Christians in Syria and Iraq by the Islamic State or ISIS. The fate of 200 Assyrian Christians captured by ISIS still remain uncertain.

Most recently the Islamic State has destroyed ancient Assyrian artifacts in the cities of Mosul and Nimrud, and is trying to erase a history that is known as the cradle of civilization. Assyrians have been in that region for more than 6000 years – spanning centuries of rich history – and are now a people in diaspora spread across the globe. Once fully uprooted from their homeland, assimilation and the complete extinction of the Assyrian people is inevitable.

The Assyrian communities in diaspora have orchestrated a mass fundraising campaign to benefit the Khabour relief effort. Two primary Assyrian charities, the Assyrian Aid Society (www.aas.org) and the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization (www.theacero.org), have collectively raised over $300,000 for relief efforts to families and the helpless in Syria this week. All proceeds from the AAASC fundraiser will also be donated in equal portions to both these charities.

The event will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015, 6:00pm at the Assyrian American Association of Southern California. 5901 Cahuenga Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601