The American Hellenic Council strongly condemns the actions of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to unilaterally convert Hagia Sophia from a museum and UNESCO World Heritage into a mosque.
This is a blatant violation of the UNESCO treaty of 1985 and of Mustafa Kemal Attaturk’s conversion of Hagia Sophia into a museum in 1934. It is an attempt to fully eradicate religious and cultural heritage and cover the years of restoration to its precious mosaics.
Cultural and religious heritage is too important to cover, ignore and desecrate! Hagia Sophia stood for beauty, peace and divine wisdom.
Built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century, Hagia Sophia stood for 1000 years as an architectural wonder and center of Orthodox & Byzantine heritage. Following 1453, it was converted to a mosque for 400 years. Finally seeing its universal historic value, it was converted to a museum 85 years ago thus becoming the most visited tourist attraction in all of Turkey.
With the Blue Mosque just steps away and over 3000 mosques in the city, it can hardly be said that there is a need for another religious site.
There is no question that we must stand strong and boycott all travel to Turkey, all flights on Turkish Airlines, all cruise lines traveling there and call on Congress to suspend all military sales and aid. It is time for NATO to close the Incirlik Base. Further, as Turkey continues to violate religious and human rights in this way, it is time to finally end their superficial attempt to join the European Union.
To eradicate such a symbol of cultural & religious heritage is nothing more than President Erdogan continuing his dangerous policies of confrontation, turmoil and threats.
Recognizing this illegal eradication of heritage, of breaking a treaty and even threatening peace, has resulted in a strong statement made by UNESCO that has been joined by the World Council of Churches, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, Roman Catholic Pope Francis and many other religious and political leaders.
Please call and write your Congressmen, Senators and the President and notify them that this issue requires a complete ban on all travel & aid.
Not taking immediate action will further endanger Greece and Cyprus!
Please act today!
Respectfully,
Dr. James F. Dimitriou
President & Chairman
American Hellenic Council
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never forget
Dear friends and supporters,
As we are all facing such troubling times, we must take time to remember the fateful events of July 20, 1974. On that day some 46 years ago, Turkey launched “Operation Attila” and began a full fledged air, sea and infantry invasion of the Republic of Cyprus. A flotilla of 33 war ships delivered some 60,000 infantry, along with armored divisions and over 30 tanks that stormed the beaches of Northern Cyprus. Driving through with the landing of paratroops, Turkey attacked the capital city of Nicosia. Ultimately, some 160,000 Greek Cypriots were forced to evacuate the north to reach safety. Greatly outnumbered and overwhelmed, the 12,000 Cypriot military stood strong to prevent the fall of Nicosia! 4 weeks & 1 day later, in August 1974, the United Nations established a cease fire and Buffer Zone along the Green Line.
Ending with Turkey occupying 37% of the island and not accounting for some 1800 missing persons. Still the port city of Farmagusta, remains a ghost town surrounded in barbed wire and Turkish military.
To this day the so-called “Federated Republic of Northern Cyprus” remains unrecognized by the world community.
Immediately following the invasion of Cyprus, the Save Cyprus Council was formed. The immediate task was to organize our community and lobby Congress to cut off all military aid to Turkey, citing the the Foreign Assistance Act and Foreign Military Sales Act, all aid to Turkey was cut off! Under the leadership of our initial founders, Theodore Saloutos, Aris Anagnos, Peter Caloyeras, Andreas Kyprianides, Spiro Vryonis and others, the Save Cyprus Council continued to organize, instruct and lobby.
This successful effort became today’s American Hellenic Council.
Never forget,
Dr. James F. Dimitriou
President & Chairman
The American Hellenic Council
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I am reaching out to our community, for the third time in such a short period, to extend my heartfelt support to all members, friends and family of the American Hellenic Council and to all those enduring the difficulties of the past three months.
In the beginning, we experienced, and in some cases continue to experience, life under strict quarantine measures due to the threat of the corona virus; a quarantine that has caused hardships on families, businesses, and students. Then, as a nation we grieved after the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. And now, as civil unrest is expressed through peaceful protests and demonstrations, we also watch our cities go up in flames by opportunists who choose to inflict harm and violate private property.
It is an unsettling time. A time for concern. A time for reflection, but also a time for action.
As Greeks, we have faced injustice and discord many times throughout history and know the generational trauma is causes. It has been 567 years since the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, a tragic anniversary we commemorated just last week, on Friday, May 29th. Today, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, aims to open those wounds by holding a celebration of the Fall in Hagia Sophia, that will include a reading of the so-called “victory verse” of the Quran.
But through the centuries, under occupations and dictatorship, during civil and world wars, and even while under siege from an invisible foe in the form of Covid-19, Greeks fought with an unyielding spirit and courage to preserve fundamental human rights. We remember the two young men, Manolis Glezos and Lakis Santas, who on May 30, 1941, risked their lives as they tore down the Nazi flag from atop of the Acropolis. We remember Archbishop Iakovos, who marched in Selma, Alabama alongside Martin Luther King Jr. some 55 years ago, in 1965.
In Archbishop Iakovo’s own words:
“I came to the United States from Turkey where I was a third category citizen. So, when Martin Luther King, Jr had his walk at the courthouse of Selma, Alabama, I decided to join him because this is my time to take revenge against all.”
The Archbishop further recounts how young Greek immigrants faced much of the same hatred and violence during the turn of the last century as they traveled to the United States in search of a better life. Go ahead and click here to learn more information on how to contact the best attorney near you.
On June 3, 2020, Archbishop Elpidophoros marched in Brooklyn, NY, in a peaceful protest denouncing the killing of Louisville EMT, Breonna Taylor.
“I came here to Brooklyn today,” said His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidophoros, “In order to stand in solidarity with my fellow sisters and brothers whose rights have been sorely abused. This was a peaceful protest, one without violence of any kind, and I thank all of those involved, because violence begets only more violence. We must speak and speak loudly against the injustice in our country. It is our moral duty and obligation to uphold the sanctity of every human being. We have faced a pandemic of grave physical illness, but the spiritual illness in our land runs even deeper and must be healed by actions as well as words. And so, I will continue to stand in the breach together with all those who are committed to preserving peace, justice, and equality for every citizen of goodwill, regardless of their race, religion, gender or ethnic origin.”
The American Hellenic Council stands committed to justice and the pursuit of happiness of all people. Our mission to advocate for Hellenism, extends into advocating not only for Greeks and Cypriots, but for all those whose human rights are violated, because advocacy must be based on truth, understanding and justice for all.
We condemn all acts of hatred and discrimination and denounce those who disrupt peaceful, democratic protests with acts of violence and destruction.
We encourage people to learn our own history, of the violence and hatred committed against the early Greek immigrants arriving in the United States.
We must end all forms of racism and discrimination and as Archbishop Iakovos did in 1965 and Archbishop Elpidoforos did just yesterday, we must stand for justice and equality, not only for those among us who share our race or religion, but for all people.
I hope all of you stay safe and take time to learn our own immigrant history. We have great challenges ahead and, as a nation, will need the courage to face them!
Jim Dimitriou
President, American Hellenic Council
The members of the American Hellenic Council are deeply saddened to hear of the news of the passing of a true patriot and leader of the Hellenic American Community, Eugene T. Rossides.
On behalf of the American Hellenic Council, I would like to pay tribute to Eugene T. Rossides, the founder of the American Hellenic Institute in Washington, DC, former Under Secretary of the Treasury and a true patriot and outstanding leader in the cause of Hellenism, the “rule of law, and support of Cyprus and Greece for over 50 years.In a time of turmoil and threats, he was of the first to rise up to challenge the ruthless invasion of Cyprus in 1974. His influence and focus on the “rule of law” as American Hellenes helped to forge a national effort to lobby Congress as Turkey violated the Foreign Assistance Act and the Foreign Military Sales Act when they illegally used American arms to invade a neutral, peace loving country. With the bi-partisan support of Rep. John Brademas, Sen. Paul Sarbanes, Sen. Thomas Eagleton, Sen. Olympia Snow, & Sen. Paul Tsongas a successful embargo on Turkey was imposed.This grass roots focus helped to launch an organized effort leading to what the news media called a “Greek Lobby.” This battle through several votes of Congress would finally result in an embargo on Turkey.Gene Rossides would be the spark to see the creation of our own Save Cyprus Council (today’s American Hellenic Council) following the invasion in 1974. His efforts and coordination with the newly formed Council leadership of Theodore Saloutos, Peter Caloyeras, Spyros Vryonis, Aris Anagnos and the Hon. Andreas Kyprianides expanded the lobby effort for “the rule of law” to prevail throughout all California Congressional Districts. An intense effort would spread to the entire Southern California Community. Mr. Rossides would later be honored by the Council at our annual awards dinner and in a book-signing at the University of Southern California.Mr. Rossides would continue his work as a continual member of the Board of the American Hellenic Institute in Washington, DC, and in the creation of the coordinated efforts of AHEPA, HALC, Pan Cypriots and others in the creation of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus.Eugene T. Rossides will be remembered for his intense & focused efforts on behalf of Hellenism and the Rule of Law!He will be remembered as our Pericles standing tall and leading in a time of need.The members of the American Hellenic Council extends its deepest condolences to the Rossides family. He will be remembered as a pillar of Hellenism rising in a time of need & offering hope & justice.May his memory be eternal.Dr. James F. DimitriouChairman & PresidentAmerican Hellenic Council
Dear Friends and Supporters of the American Hellenic Council,
As we all try to adjust our lives to this new reality, I wanted to touch base with our AHC family and friends.
The American Hellenic Council’s Board of Directors and I want to reiterate our commitment to the members of our community during this health crisis. Your safety and well-being are of utmost concern to us and we wish for everyone’s health during these unprecedented times. So we want to emphasize that people being overweight it is important for your health to start making changes in your life, one of them is you can take alpilean ice hack this supplement will help you lose those extra pounds you have and don’t forget to eat the healthiest you can, As such, we are committed to following all the guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom.
In March, we were disheartened to have to postpone the AHC Annual Awards Dinner and due to the continued uncertainty, we are not prepared to share a new date. We are grateful to our sponsors, whose unwavering commitment to Hellenism and patience, as we navigate these unconventional circumstances, speak volumes. Without our sponsors and supporters, we would not have the necessary resources to continue to do our important work on behalf of promoting improved relations between the United States and Greece & Cyprus.
In the Greek spirit of perseverance, the AHC is continuing to do as much as possible to engage with relevant stakeholders and promote our issues within the permitted parameters. We urge our members to follow the developments taking place in Greece, Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean and to also take advantage of AHC news updates, which we communicate through our social media channels, weekly newsletter and various action alerts or by visiting americanhellenic.org.
Through the AHC website, you can read translated addresses and announcements by the Greek government relating to all matters of national concern, ranging from COVID-19 to the response and the reaction to Turkey’s escalating aggression, as well as, articles such as , the AHC Board of Director’s conversation with U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt. You may also enjoy the American Hellenic Council’s newly established video interview series, inaugurated with an interview of the newly appointed Ambassador of Greece to the United States, Ambassador Alexandra Papadopoulou and followed by an interview with Mike Manatos, President of Washington D.C.-based public affairs firm, Manatos & Manatos. Our upcoming interview will be with Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou, visiting associate professor at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, a scholar and advocate with extensive experience in conflict resolution and religious freedom.
During this time of increased uncertainty, our mission to promote stronger U.S.-Greek relations and support the Hellenic Caucus and Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance is only reinforced. Turkey cannot be allowed to continue to disregard international law and threaten our waters and borders. It is only with your support that we can meet this challenge.
We hope to announce a new date for the 2020 Annual Awards Dinner soon. We value your health and safety and will reschedule only when we are certain it is possible for large group gatherings again. Please watch for said new date and continue to follow our news and action updates. Visit https://norgesbriketten.no/dugnad/ to get informed abbot fundraisings and voluntary work.
Your health is so important for us so remember ti take care about it, being overweight can make you will be more prone to many diseases so don’t forget to take your alpilean pills and you will see changes.
In the meantime, please consider making a donation to the AHC at this critical time; anything you can contribute will go a long way in ensuring the organization’s continued work.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
Sincerely,
Dr. James F. Dimitriou
Chairman & President
American Hellenic Council
On March 20, American Hellenic Council (AHC) leadership invited U. S. Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt, to participate in a conversation about the latest developments in the U.S.-Greek bilateral relationship. In a wide-ranging discussion, Ambassador Pyatt highlighted the strength of the U.S.-Greece relationship and commended Greece’s handling of difficulties it currently faces on two fronts: the Evros border and COVID-19. The Ambassador noted the effective Greek response to the coronavirus outbreak thus far, and encouraged AHC to look for opportunities to reaffirm the long history of American diaspora philanthropy in Greece. He also reaffirmed the US understanding of Greece’s sovereign right to protect its international borders. AHC leadership shared a message of support from Greek Americans, who play a critical role in deepening U.S.-Greece relations. The Ambassador emphasized Prime Minister Mitsotakis’ strong relationship with the Trump administration and noted that his public assurance to the President that Greece is a reliable, dependable U.S. ally was well-received in Washington.
Following the conference call, AHC President, Jim Dimitriou, made the following statement:
“Greece is the pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
–US Ambassador Geoffrey PyattA few days ago we had the privilege of a hosting a teleconference with US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt. This was a very comprehensive & insightful analysis of both US-Greek relations and the current state of affairs in Greece. Ambassador Pyatt was most complimentary of Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s policies and actions taking Greece from crisis ridden to “the pillar of stability.” He believes that this cooperation will continue to strengthen between our countries.
Pyatt covered such topics as the vast significance of the “East Med Act” & the “Tri-Partate Agreement” for Greece’s vastly improving economic situation to the “Mt. Olympus strategic games” coordinating both US & Greek military forces. Ambassador Pyatt was very optimistic in how Greece moved to action in its handling the Cov-19 crisis. He also commended Greek American efforts in helping to provide medical relief such as the efforts of AHEPA & others.
We congratulate Ambassador Pyatt and wish him continued fortitude in these trying times. Greek-American relations can only improve with his unique understanding of the stakes at hand and the future before us!
Dear Friends and Supporters of the American Hellenic Council,
As part of the American Hellenic Council family, I wanted to reach out to you personally regarding the current state of affairs that we are all facing. Your safety and well-being are of utmost concern to us all. We want our entire community to remain safe and healthy during this situation. Given the guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, we had to make the very difficult decision of postponing our Annual Awards Dinner.
First of all, we would like to thank our sponsors, who have stood by the American Hellenic Council throughout the years, without whom we would not have the necessary resources to continue to do our important work.
We urge our members to follow the developments of the events taking place in Greece, Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean as we diligently communicate news updates through our social media channels and newsletter. Turkey cannot be allowed to continue to disregard international law and threaten our waters and borders.
Our mission is to promote stronger US-Greek relations, support the efforts of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the Congressional Hellenic Israeli Alliance, educate Congress on our issues and inform our membership of the situation facing both Greece & Cyprus today. As we approach the 46-year anniversary since the organization’s founding, we must stand strong, now more than ever.
We hope to announce a new date for the 2020 Annual Awards Dinner soon. We value your health and safety and will reschedule only when we are certain it is possible for large group gatherings again. Please watch for said new date and continue to follow our news and action updates.
In the meantime, please consider making a donation to the AHC at this critical time. Without the Awards Gala, we are asking you to consider a donation to keep the work of the Council going! Whatever you can afford is appreciated.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support! The urgency is real, and the time is critical.
Sincerely,
Dr. James F. Dimitriou
Chairman & President
American Hellenic Council
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