The visit of the AASI President in U.S.A

.        In San Jose, California, Mr. Ashur Eskrya, the President Aid Society of Iraq, met with Mr. Carlo Ganjeh, the Regional Secretary of AUA Americas. AASI's President congratulated the AUA on joining to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Mr. Homer Ashurian from the AUA Foundation was present as well as Mrs. Mona Malik, Vice President of the Assyrian Aid Society of America. The meeting discussion covered the participation of AAS in the United Nations forums and    the future cooperation between our organization and the AUA in serving our people in the homeland.

·        Mr. Ashur Eskrya, the President Aid Society of Iraq, met with the President of the Assyrian Aid Society of America, headed by Mr. Ashur Yoseph and the attendance of Mr. Narsai David, former President of the AAS-A, Mrs. Mona Malik the Vice President and Mr. Sargon Shabbas who is the AAS-A Treasurer. Additionally, there were AAS-A chapter members from the San Jose and Sacramento chapters who attended this meeting dinner in Oakland, CA.

·         On Jun 15th, the President Ashur Eskrya participated in the celebration of the annual Mesopotamian Night concert which was held by the Assyrian Aid Society of America to revive the heritage of the Assyrians. Over 100 participated in performing Assyrian folkloric music, including the orchestra and Meso Night choir. Mr. Tony Khoshaba, a board director of the AAS-A, has been developing this concert for the past several years and has now introduced the recognition of Assyrian singing legends like Edward Yousif (Biba) and Shamiram. There was also a recognition portion of the show that honored all of the supporters who attended and awards presented to people like Mr. Homer Ashurian from the AUA Foundation for his contributions to the Assyrian heritage and literature. The Mesopotamian Night concert attracted more than 1,000 people at the California Theatre (San Jose, CA).

·         Mr. Ashur Eskrya, President of AASI, met with the Assyrian Evangelical Church in San Jose, represented by Mr. Vladimir Moghadassi, Ms. Jacklin Daniels (founder of Sharing My Birthday) and Ms. Natalie Babella, President of the AAS-A San Jose Chapter. The meeting topic focused on the collaborative efforts of AAS and the Assyrian Evangelical Church in San Jose. The Church has shown great interest and support for future projects in the homeland including those of Displaced and Migrated People in Iraq and Syria.

·         On June 16th, in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Shiba Mando, President of the Assyrian National Council of Illinois, Mr. Ashur Eskrya, President of AASI, and a number of Assyrian activists from the Chicago area, discussed the recent participation of AASI in the 12^th Permanent Forum of Indigenous Peoples of the UN held on May 20^th - May 31^st 2013. Furthermore, they reflected on the achievements of AASI’s participation in this forum and what the future holds for our nation from this participation.

·         On June 17^th, Mr. Ashur Eskrya, President of AASI, met with Mr. Shiba Mando, President of the Assyrian National Council of Illinois, Mr. Mikhail Jajjo, President of the Assyrian Democratic Movement and Dr. Rouel Georges, President of AAS-A Chicago Chapter.

·         On June 19^th, Mr. Ashur Eskrya, President of AASI, and Dr. Rouel Georges, President of AAS-A Chicago Chapter, visited His Holiness Mar Dinkha IV, the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, at his residence in the suburb of Morton Grove, Illinois. They discussed the situation of our people in the homeland, the displaced Syrians, the various activities of AASI, including their recent participation in the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples in New York and their future participation in such forums.