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Zaid Kurdi | all galleries >> Galleries >> Amman-Jordan > Jordanian Armenians
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09-OCT-2009

Jordanian Armenians

Celebrations of Amman's centennial anniversary.Down Town

The presence of Armenians in the Arab world dates back to the 13th century. However, it wasn't until 1914, just before the WWI, at the time of the Armenian Genocide, leading to their mass immigration, that Armenian communities began to be formed in this part of the world.
Armenians came to Jordan, believe it or not, on foot "Walking all the way from their motherland through Turkey, under the scorching sun, children, women and the elderly made their way to the deserts of Syria and Jordan. Some were killed on the way, others perished either from exhaustion or butchered at the hands of heartless soldiers.
The ones who were lucky to survive this grueling journey were received and generously treated by Arabs. Al Sharif Hussein offered them protection and told his Arab subjects through a formal letter they should be treated well and their language and religion must be respected.
The letter still exists and is part of the many documents that Armenians are proud of, always reminding them of the humanistic role Arabs played in helping Armenians to survive.
Today, 24 April, Armenians are meeting at the Sorp Tatyos Church to commemorate the memory of those who died in 1914 for it is through their devotion and persistence the Armenian language and tradition survived. Armenian communities in various Arab countries are indebted to those who gave them homes and a new chance in life.
In search for a better life, some refugees decided to stay in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan, formerly known as Belad Al Sham, others traveled to Europe and America.
Armenians in Jordan and through out the world were able to prove themselves skillful craftsmen in fields like photography, art, Jewelry, medicine, architecture, car mechanics and shoe-making.
The early Armenian refugees first resided in places like Ma'an, Karak, Shobak and Tafileh in 1915. Yet it wasn't until 1928 and 1930 when they began to move to Amman and live in what is known today as the Armenian quarter in Ashrafiyah today, it composes the Armenian Church, a school and two clubs.
There are about 4,000 Armenians living in Jordan, the new generations of Armenians were born in Jordan and all consider themselves as Jordanian citizens of Armenian roots who have deep affinity to the Kingdom. So if you ask any Armenian born in Jordan, a question about his identity, he will proudly say "I'm a Jordanian."


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missy_gardenwhimsy20-May-2010 15:27
Lovely image of these beautiful people! Thank you for sharing the details of their move from their Armenian communities. I really appreciate the information that you share with us! V
Milan Vogrin27-Apr-2010 18:29
Very nice!
Simon Chandler15-Mar-2010 03:10
Love ground portrait with touching information. Beautiful costumes. v
Carol Rollins12-Mar-2010 01:04
A wonderful portrait of this lovely group and great inforamtion Zaid. ~
January Grey17-Oct-2009 05:25
A wonderful portrait, Zaid. V~
Fong Lam15-Oct-2009 15:00
Wonderful group portrait, love their costumes ~V~
Ali Majdfar15-Oct-2009 08:44
Thanks for the information embeded with the fabulous photo. We have also many Armenian living here for centuries, and knowing themselves faitfull Iranian as long as armenian.
~V
Debbie Blackburn Beierle14-Oct-2009 06:40
Wonderful portrait......beautiful and handsome people! Love the traditional style of dress! Thank you for the information on Armenians! Fascinating!!
Valene14-Oct-2009 01:30
Wonderful portrait. I love the clothes they are wearing. V
Marcia Colelli14-Oct-2009 00:04
Wonderful costumes and history. Nice portrait V
silvia marmori13-Oct-2009 21:02
a lovely portrait..
a so detailed history.. thank you for both!
Guest 13-Oct-2009 20:18
Great historical note and capture, and the costumes fit them so well! V
Ceya13-Oct-2009 19:31
Beautiful people with a dramatic and colorful past.. A very beautiful
image, Zaid, and a most interesting history! Big vote!