Name: Younan
Date: January 20th , 2008

Personal Questions:

-Hello Younan, please introduce yourself, including your origin, education and current place of living
I'm Younan Michael, 26 years old, eligible bachelor (wot wot! Lol), I'm an Assyrian Christian, I've studied maths at university (my first love) and then I did law school and am reluctantly training as a lawyer (the evil mother in law). I live in London, UK.

-What words can be used to describe your personality?
Considerate, Merciful, indiscriminate

-How much influence has school had in shaping your personality vs. the role played by your parents?
School has played zero part. School is a jungle. I knew several “educated” people and away from studies you just want to beat the hell out of them. I think parents play a very important part in your early life. Then when you reach the middle of your teens, its up to you how you want to shape your personality, through life choices and experiences. Often I'm told me and my brother (wigger will) are very different. But we do share many traits and morals.

-Are you a person more influenced by the environment or nature and genetics?
Definitely not influenced by environment. I've never been one to embrace the society I find myself in. I will do what I have to do to function in this world, but I still go by my own judgements and beliefs on things. So I guess id go with nature and genetics.

-What makes Younan mad?
Haha. Well, when someone says/does something that I think is pcheela (not straight) and if I care about them, i.e friend/family, I get worked up and usually people can tell by my face that I aint happy, but I soon sort out my differences. My extended family has a history of chyara (fall outs), so I learn from this.
Also, “respect” is a big issue to me. Maybe because that’s my approach with everyone so I expect it back.

-Smiles seem to never leave your face? does that come natural or do you work on it?
Lol owa meka theleh? Don’t let people assume the wrong idea about me lol. Well.. my “smile” has always got me into heated rows with some people. Especially when something serious is discussed and people are getting worked up around me, and I'm constantly smiling, and people always reply with “why are u smiling, what's funny about this?” (at this stage I'm close to being knocked out lol)….. I must be somehow related to Ronaldinho (minus the footballing skills of course)

-Why would any girls want to show interest in you?
Honestly don’t know the answer to this lol. I'm not one to change for anyone. I love my church, I love my people, I like to mix with all types of Assyrians. Ashoor are you hinting at something? lol

-What is the one thing that you want to work and improve on?
Not to always take what people say around you seriously. Just to accept that people are different and won’t share the same outlook in life and morals as you do.

"It seems Zowaa/AAS are the only Assyrian organizations doing things for our people back home."

-What contributes to a better personality? Better education, More Social interactions or a good parental upbringing?
Parental upbringing up to your teens, then its social interactions with the right people and your own personality develops at the same time. Definitely not education, there are enough idiots out there with a brain.

-What does Christianity mean to you? What does Assyrianism mean to you? what comes first and why?
Being a qaryana (lector at church – I read the old testament), it would surprise people that I actually identify myself first as an Assyrian. The feeling is indescribable when I meet new Assyrians. I automatically identify with them. I've met so many Assyrians for the first time, especially through AVN, and when I meet them, its almost as if I've known them all my life. I look at English people, and you would never see 2 strangers embrace each other and get to know one another. Its something unique in our small yet special community.

Christianity also plays a big role in my life. Church has given me my morals, how to forgive people, to see things from a different angle that others may not be able to see, to be grateful for what you have, to love people – basically it lays the foundation of your personality. However there are billions of Christians from different sects, and for this reason I feel Assyrian first and then Christian. When I wake up, I feel Assyrian.


-What does your dream girl look like? (in terms of character, personality etc.)
Everyone has a dream girl when their younger (I still had a crush on Jennifer love Hewitt, and now Dina Hayek, Lebanese singer of Armenian origin hehe), as I've grown up, its just like everyone else really. She could be dark or light, blond or brunette. All I ask for is someone that understands you, that you connect with (cliché I know) and above all shares most of your important character traits and morals.

-What do you look for in friends? do you look for friends who share your values and interests, or anything that comes is good?
Haha. Definitely not someone like me. My close friends are actually total opposites. anti-church, into the whole lads thing. Drinking, smoking, dare I say, lots of women mashalla haha. What I look for is people with a soul. Not fake people. People that are rakhmaneh, merciful. These are not necessarily found in church. There are plenty of people at church that are nasheh pcheeleh (unstraight people)

-If you end up on an island by yourself, and you know you will spend the rest of your life there, how will you survive?
Probably wouldn’t. lol. I like being around people, especially my own. As I am now, id bring Arabic text books because I'm dead set on learning it. But id die eventually seen as I don’t eat meat. lol

-What do you like about Assyrian girls?
That they understand us Assyrian guys. they connect with us, when we are feeling like having riza u bomyeh, and then some masta u kadeh. They know when you can murder a good chai. They can tame us unlike foreign girls. They are bnateh id oomta!

-What is the ultimate good and happiness according to you?
Understanding your role in life and purpose (still working on mine). Also more specifically for an Assyrian, getting to know your own people, helping one another out, contributing our Assyrian cause in some way at least.




Assyrian Voice and Internet Related Questions:

-Ok, take us to your first day on the net, what website was your first, and what computer were you using?
Lol. I probably had an Amiga 600, and I remember going on Assyrian voice chat and listening to Rexdale and his disturbing voice when he’d call “kirwish” (another voicechat member)….just logging on and causing trouble it was fun!

-What about your first day on Assyrian Voice, and who told you about it?
Honestly don’t remember. It was maybe 5 years ago. I used to go on text and voice chat and then u guys gave us the forums.

-Looking back at your first day on Assyrian Voice, and as it has been years, what difference do you see, and what has it all meant to you?
there are some members that come and go that you miss having there. People like Michi, Ninos Birko (knew so much of our history, one of a kind). To be honest as you start becoming one of the more older generation of members, you see the younger ones still with the same Assyrian personality. The connection we have is something indescribable.

-Why do you think Assyrian Voice has such popularity and appeal worldwide: is it the content it offers or the people that come to it?
People that come to it shape the forums. Many members are loyal to it. And its very much like a community.

-What is your favorite topic of all time from the forums?
Being an Assyrian you love controversy. So id say anything on church lol. It amazes when you see Assyrians getting all worked up and personal over an online discussion. Its like there's 2 main camps, but I feel like the observer of the two.

-Who are your favorite members on the forums; those whose posts you find very interesting?
Past? Michi, Ninos Birko. Present: Crocodile Bani, Azadoota, Rumtaya, Meroona, Othur (radical is all I have to say)

-Do you believe in finding love online? what do you think of all the couples that have found love on our website?
Its possible. I mean its happened before. Its all down to the individuals if they click together.

-You have been involved in various AVN gatherings including in your own city, the USA and Australia. What did you think of it all, and why should we do more of them?
Wala they’ve been great. I've met many great individuals from my travels. In fact my good friends, are almost all overseas. It amazes me how you can travel all corners of the world and still meet Assyrians who share the same outlook on life and customs as you do, despite being in a different part of the world. Definitely something I encourage if people get the opportunity to travel.

-At Assyrian Voice, we want to extend our friendship and contacts to the offline world too, and not just online. We want Assyrian Voice to be everywhere and not just trapped to a PC or the online world. What do you think of that? should AVN go beyond the wire?
yea why not. I'm not the best at marketing but I'm open to ideas? We have a strong online community, many nationalists, I sometimes dream these same people on the current affairs forum come together and be our new generation of politicians. Id fully support them.

-What comes to your mind when you first hear these three nicknames:
Roumtaya, Atourya, jenny
Rumtaya – hard not to like him. Assyrian blood burst out of his veins lol.
Atourya – just recently seen his posts, seems like a nice guy, and bit of a ladies man
Jenny – reminds me of Christina Aguilera. Sweet smile.

-Do you think AVNers have come a long way and are better at managing spam?
lol. We did have a problem with spam, but now we have that thread that’s amassed about 5338836369 posts. None of which I have wahis to read..

-Now that 2007 is behind us, how do you assess the job the moderators did?
Great. I sometimes wish they wouldn’t take it too seriously, I only think threads should be blocked if its something serious or overly personal. Otherwise let it run, Assyrians like a good gossip and controversy. Also, bizarrely it binds us Assyrians together lol.

-Give us a male and female for each:
>Best and Smartest posts – male (Chaldean); female (Waleeta)
>Most Assyrian – male (Rumtaya); female (Waleeta/Baklawa)
>Funniest – male (Crocodile Bani); female (Lovemoon)
>Can't live with/can't live without – Crocodile Bani/Atourina
>Wish you could be friends with in real life - Rumtaya/Meroona


-Why has the new 'Assyrian Youtube Clips' been a good success in a short period of time?
Havent been there to be honest. They are very original. The ones with dogs dancing Assyrian always cracks me up. I think there's one who shakes to the chobia dance better than I do lool.

-Are you into Assyros? how can we make them more useful?
No idea. I don’t post much? Maybe the one with the most becomes moderator. Idk…

-Comment about the following:
>Waleeta's posts in the politics forum: >Lovemoon's random and funny posts >Godismyjudge's presence in AVN gatherings
Waleeta is a gem in our community, the model example for youth. You always stand up and notice when you read her posts, would make a great political leader for our new generation.
Lovemoon – lol hiya klawchiya rasmi. Lool. Chmala at makhkoyet? Ashoor you are just as random with your posts 
my fellow tennis addict. Also a shamasha, and very oomtanaya. Can I swap brothers? Lol. Martina hingis was better in her prime than steffi graf! Get over it!!

-Do you see Assyrian Nationalism as well as Christian Evangelism on the rise on the forum? can the two coexist?
No they cannot coexist. I have never been a fanatic in anything I do. Christian evangelists don’t have the oomta as the top priorities in their thoughts. I think its unhealthy but each to their own. I love my church but I love my oomta just as much. And I wouldn’t compromise either for the sake of the other one.

-Which AVNers come to mind when you hear the following locations (give us one name for each location)

>USA, Canada, NZ, Australia, England, Germany, Holland, France, Sweden, Iraq
USA – baklawa
Canada – lovemoon
Australia – renee
England – Machiavelli
Germany – rumtaya
Holland – godismyjudge
France - shannia

-Why did you decide to change from Miguel to Younan? and what was the story with Miguel to begin with?
Haha. Well I liked Spanish culture at the time, and I thought id try something original and instead of using my surname Michael, I changed it to Miguel. I like that name.

-What do you think of AVN's evolving from a small website into a world wide community? and where do you see it going?
We need a website like this? There isn’t any other decent Assyrian community website out there. And I think theres lots more members these days. Although not everyone is active.

-What did you think of our recent "Assyrian Voice Year Book 2007" with the names of over 400 of our active members?
I think its an excellent idea. It gives everyone a personality to the site, I think members feel valued and it adds to the community feel on the site.

-Do you have a better or more interesting idea for a yearbook 2008?
Hmm. Maybe to like group members in different groups. According to which forums they use. Maybe finding a match for everyone lol.

-You have been seen typing in Assyrian many times. Isn't it time we start actually posting in Syriac font rather than speak Assyrian using English fonts?
Yea bro, even though say 5-10% of people can read it, I'm sure others will be curious and will want to learn to read sureth and it will grow in popularity!

-Now that the year 2007 has come to an end, who do you think was the:
>most controversial member on the website: Honest lol
>most popular: azadoota
>least popular compared to previous years: hmm Othur? Assyrian61?
>smartest: Chaldean
>most interesting posts: khigaaaaaaaaaaa
>nicest: the one and only Ashoor of course hehe

-And last, where do you see AVN in the year 2025? give us a short summary of what you can see throw your future binoculars.
Definitely Atourina and Bellamafia probably still talking about their jobs at la senza and about whose cute and what not lol; maybe bitching about who their grandchildren is going out with? Lol. Only kidding girls!!

Favorites
 

-Favorite Assyrian name for a female and a male:    Female – Magh’dleta (magdeline)     Male - Nimrud
-Favorite car:     lol… jaguar XJ220
-Favorite soccer player:     Kaka
-Favorite country:     Greece
-Favorite city:           Athens
-Favorite color:     blue
-Favorite number:     2
-Favorite movie:     Hmm.. Saw or Haloween H20
-Favorite perfume:     Aramis
-Favorite drink:     Chai sada (black tea)
-Favorite Assyrian singer:     Ashur Bet Sargis
-Favorite Assyrian song:     Ahela Yoni
-Favorite book:    The Crimson Field – Rosie Malek Yonan – MUST READ IT!!
-Favorite Assyrian word:     b’sharafukh
-Favorite dream destination:     running out of idea lol. Definitely Canada! Cant wait to visit!
 

Assyrian Related Questions:

-Are you satisfied with where our nation is today, compared to 50 years ago?
Not really. Since the legacy of mar eshai shimun I don’t think our situation has gone forward. I don’t blame the political parties. This isn’t my expertise. Maybe we need to start looking into fundraising ideas. And not just within our community so we have more strength financially.

-What do you think of the Nineveh Plains? how close are we to getting it?
Isn’t the situation that the Kurds are close to claiming it being the majority? They said only a few Christians need to vote so they can secure it. I'm not sure. Alaha hayiran. At least if we could build some villages somewhere in northern Iraq and stick together this will be like a region in itself, if the Nineveh plains is not given to us. Maybe we can try to press the American government on this situation?

-Should Zowaa's Younadam Kanna resign and focus on his role as an Iraqi MP, and let someone else do the job, or is he good enough to handle both?
I think generally we need new blood in politics. Also education helps as well. There's enough members on this site that could have some sort of role in our parties.

-Speaking of Zowaa, what is your opinion on the job they have been doing?
I've only been to Iraq once, but although I have had some scepticism its hard not to support them, because I see so many smart level-headed and oomtanayeh members supporting Zowaa. And also when people like Alda and Hotachick have been there and reported back. I have some good friends that are zowaa supporters and I did vote for them at the Iraqi elections.

-How would you assess the job done by Sargis Aghajan as a finance minister for the Kurdish Regional Government? do you believe he is nothing more than a puppet to further instill the Kurdish agenda on Assyrians and eradicate their identity? or do you think that he has helped Assyrians (i.e building all these pink houses)
If we Assyrians were promised $50 million or whatever the figure was, from the us government, then yes he is a puppet and yes the Kurds have yet again denied our rights as they did with the ballot voting. I think he is a sneaky character. He doesn’t appear like a trustworthy man and it worries me how close our priests are too him.

-How is Assyrian activism in the UK? what are some of our major organizations that do a good job in this?
Worrying. There isn’t much going on here. We have an Assyrian school, where some kids have been going, I've actually offered to help out this Sunday! We have a youth group, new generation Assyrians. We don’t have that many attendees and also there aren’t many oomtanayeh people here. We meet up for social events. The political, genocide events are met with boredom from most youth. Same goes with church, hardly anyone turns up.

-Do you think the recent church issues have split us even further? or is this just a religious split?
No its effected many Assyrian families. I too think there must have been a way to avoid the court issue. I don’t know which party was the stubborn party. All I want to say is, there is a church hierarchy. They are not like politicians, who are answerable to the public and public opinions. The patriarch has authority to make and unmake laws/canons. I myself go to church and use it to worship Alaha. I don’t worships priests. If everyone had this view of church then there would not be this mess that occurred. Its our mother church and we are its children. Yes there are disagreements, but it should not split the church.

-Recently, Mar Melis from Australia, was controversially featured on 'Assyrians for Justice' on Ashur TV, asking his congregation to start using economic 'People's Power' to boycott any individuals and businesses that may have supported Mar Bawi in his recent rise. Any comments on this?
Well I have mixed views. Assyrians are unique people, we cant be compared to an average nation. We have a unique background. No I don’t think priests should be involved in these matters or make such comments, but at the same time, I don’t think there's anything wrong if a priests discusses our situation back home, or tries to encourage people to be oomtanayeh. Priests also have a heart too. They are human as well and can make mistakes. Lets just be happy, in such a difficult situation, threatened with extinction, that we have many oomtanayeh Assyrians as possible.

-Do you trust the Assyrian Aid Society in its role in providing aid and help for our people back home?
Most of us don’t know where exactly the money ends up with any of our political parties, but with a lot of money being donated to AAS I do hope it falls in the right hands. It seems Zowaa/AAS are the only Assyrian organisation doing things for our people back home. Long may it continue and we help them to achieve their projects.

-If you had a face to face meeting with world leaders such as George Bush, Gordon Brown, what would you tell them about Assyrians?
How the USA and British government knew about our plight, told us lies and then abandoned us in our hour of need. maybe bring Rosie Malek Yonan’s DVD along. To tell them that we can potentially be their Christian allies and in the long term, if they helped build our nation up, that we would promise to help them and would not turn against them like Muslims would.

-Here is a future scenario for you: the UN has scheduled a hearing on Assyrians in its security council, in which it will determine the state and fate of Assyrians in Iraq. You have been given the duty to coordinate the Assyrian delegation to this mission. You can invite any three Assyrians to this meeting: who will you invite and why?
Waleeta – she is the Condoleezza rice in our AVN government hehe. No really she already has some political exposure and clearly excels in this field.
Rumtaya – he has great military ideas and is also a hardcore nationalist from the gabara tyarayeh tribe. Every scenario, would benefit with tyari presence (think khigga lol)
Chaldean – the researcher/think-tank behind/behind the scenes guy. He is like Colin Powell lol. Would compliment waleeta and rumtaya who would be in the front line.

-Who would you nominate as the Assyrian personality of the year 2007?
Crocodile Bani – he has threatened to leave AVN a few times, and has, only to return and this time he reincarnated himself from moja moja to his current username, and has made a bigger impact this year. He is a true character and as much as he might deny it, he loves being in the thick of the Assyrian community!

-Last, and being a person who is very much into the Assyrian language, please tell all the people out there about our language and what it means to learn it, and its role in ensuring our survival.
Just mentioning the passion of Christ film to people and when they realise what Aramaic is, they have this undeniable envy. It’s really is a treasure to speak a language which directly descended from the dialect Jesus and his disciples spoke with one another. Unlike other communities, our language changed very little over the last 2000 years. If u can read and speak Assyrian well, you can make out many of the words in the classical dialect used in our church liturgy. Jesus sent one of his disciples, I believe it was St. Thomas who trained 2 Assyrian priests mar mari, mar addai and later mar aggai, who produced our liturgy and from there we elected patriarchs to lead our church which remains today 2000 years on. Therefore we have a direct apostolic link all the way back to Jesus. This I feel is a blessing that we should not start to forget. We have had so many people die for the church of the east and its members to be kept alive. I think the language is what connects us together. Its critical we keep it and pass it down to our kids.

 

General Questions:

-What would you label today's human generation in general?
Unfearful of God. We really don’t realize how much we need to thank God for, for how Jesus was humiliated, tortured, and rejected, to save our souls. Yes, I know a lot of people say, lets put things in our own hand, but we cant do this at the expense of just forgetting that God gave us a heart, soul and brain to do these things we want to achieve.

-As a future parent, what will you do to make sure you raise good and well-behaved kids, given our world today.
Who says ill be a parent? Lol. I might end up being a bishop…leave that for another day hehehe…as soon as their born, speak only in Assyrian. Send them to Assyrian school, make sure its compulsory to go to the Assyrian church of the east, make them read ancient history books, to know their ancestors, to read the church of the east history, to appreciate the struggles and sacrifices our church has gone through. I want them to learn to respect themselves and to respect others. Not to be influenced by society, but to dictate life themselves.

-Do you think MSN, YouTube, MySpace and other online tools are helpful in strengthening social ties between people, or are they contributing to raising a new generation of lazy kids and people in general?
I personally love MSN, I have many contacts and love adding new people, getting to know my own assyrain community worldwide. Also handy when you travel to places and u already know people! It’s a good way to discover ppl’s thoughts online 

-Do you drive and what do you think of the ever increasing oil prices?
yea I do, it’s a rip-off, eena I hate public transport, so I have no choice.

-Has Britain lost its status as a world power? what and who can get it back?
Nothing. They are puppets to USA, and are cold people, I don’t wish them to retrieve power. If they do, then maybe economically as the English pound is very strong.

-What about the Monarchy? are you a supporter, or has lost even its mere symbolism?
People still blindly follow. I think the monarchy is so out of touch. And doesn’t have a real purpose in our society. Uff, stop reminding me about this country, and I hate posh people!

-What will it take for England to win the world cup again after more half a century of waiting?
Brazilians…lol (bro I'm a tennis fan!!) idk, for centuries we play ping pong football, we are technically abysmal, light years behind the rest of the world.

-With Britain being such an important and dominant country in other fields, why is it that Britain is not that good in any sports beside soccer? I mean you never seen Britain having its own great basketball players, tennis players etc.?
Because we are an out of touch, arrogant, cold, and unsociable society, we deserve nothing more! (the shamasha side to me is dying away as u continue with these British questions Ashoor!! Hint hint…)

-Tell us about the best book you read recently, and why did you like it?
The Crimson Field- it’s the only book I've ever read. I liked it because it was based on true history almost 100 years ago, and describes what life was like for Assyrians at the time they face the genocide, and you feel like you are among the Assyrians that were being slaughtered by the Turks, Kurds, and Persians. It leaves an emotional scar with you, even after you’ve finished reading the book. Every Assyrian should read it.

-What three websites do you visit on a regular basis?
AVN; www.syrianarabic.com ; BBC sport

-How will history judge George Bush and Tony Blair?
Freedom fighters? Lol; they wont be described how they ought to be described. Blood thirsty politicians making decisions based on their economic needs rather than their democracy propaganda (I guess that’s just politics)

 

Final questions:

-What will you gain from this interview?
Hopefully u can send me some pacha. In case you didn’t know, it has attracted so many comments on my MSN display pic. Usually its met with “ewwwwwwww what the hell is that”…. Someone actually described it “pieces of small….” ill leave the rest to your filthy imaginations lollllllllll

-What do you want to say to people reading this interview now? better yet, how can they get in touch with you?
Im not thaaaaaat innocentttttttttt lol. I just want to say I love you all, from the bottom of my heart. Bahibkum kteer kteer!!.

-Some people did their interviews years and years ago, during which their views on things have changed dramatically: do you think we should start interviewing them again?
Yea why not. Im surprised I was picked as I used to post more, back in the old days over 2 years ago. Many members have changed now. Although all the avners have awesome personalities, which is why ive never left.

-Which popular Assyrian figure should AVN go after for an interview?
Definitely either azadoota or rumtaya. Pay them if you have to. Ill bank-roll it lol.

-What is the hardest question we asked you?
Why would assyrain girls like you loool…ya3ni dakh bayetlee jowiben a booqara? hehehe

-What question were you glad we didn't ask?
Past girlfriends. You pretty much covered most topics, pishlee eetanaya o ham oomtanaya lol.

-What question were you mad that we asked at all?
Lol none. The Mar Meelis one was quite funny, but I actually agree with most AVNers that he shouldn’t have said it.

-Your favorite quote in life?
“Live for today and let tomorrow think about itself. Ok I messed that one up..we spend our time worrying so much about tomorrow that we forget we should be living and embracing today.. I think its time I changed my job….lol

-Any admission you want to come clean about?
Lol qutma. Mon weeda. Typical suraya, u want some dirt on me lol. Just that I hope nocheyaya continue to rule the assyrain church of the east. I JOKE!!! I love all Assyrians, especially tyarayeh 

-Any final comments or shoutouts to anyone out there?
My mum and dad, I love you both, this could not have happened without you. Id also like to thank death row records for supporting me when I started out, lol.  Nah, id just like to say I love u all AVN, never playa hate, life is too short, don’t hold grudges. Always look out for your fellow Assyrians. Try to get to know as many as you can. You will be surprised how many things we share in common.
God bless Assyrians.

At the end of this interview, we would like to thank you for your time and wish you the best in your life.
Baseema qa dana id motoolukh qa malkhamta id deneh booqareh o preesha’it hawetun baseemeh qa mashmetokhun.