Mar Shimun was a patriarch during an era bloodstained and ravaged by two world wars and numerous agents, both from within and outside, to disrupt his central mission in securing homeland for our beleaguered people. However, these tribulations did not stop him from receiving degrees in both Political Science and Theology from the prestigious Cambridge University.
In lieu of the trying times, he even was able to translate and author numerous books on subjects such as history and the establishment of our church. He even recruited Americans for priests and established the first English-speaking parish for the COE.
He witnessed firsthand the betrayal of our people at the hands of the British and other Western allies. Promises for statehood that was an already bargain for the allies in return for our loyalty, armed struggle, and martyrdom were maliciously forgotten and tossed on the alter of oil greed and profits. Especially when the proxy battleground of the Middle East was one in battles where the Assyrians had the most staggering odds against them.
It is his ethics, principles, and steadfastness intertwined with his education that makes me cringe at the thought of his potential, and subsequently our nation's present-day status, had he lived out his full life. Such principles and ethics show us a potential genetic foundation. For his own uncle had experienced similar bribes and blackmail and we all very well know what happened when certain Turkish leaders asked for the submission of the Assyrian nation for the freedom and health of his brother.
Please read the article below:
Foreign agents, notably from the British and Iraqi gov'ts (Faisal and Bakr times) were soliciting and attempting to influence Mar Shimun to suspend his national aspirations for very healthy and promising personal compensations and to essentially do their will. When such efforts became futile and redundant in Mar Shimun's resounding negative responses, they turned to threats and instability. Our tribal mentality proved to be our Nation's achilles heel when certain "malikeh" "ashirateh" became infatuated in contradicting and neutralizing Mar Shimun's demands. Even his some of his own bishops and priests became "bought out" by the government to do their will against the Patriarch.
This article publicly displays the steadfast ethics of Mar Shimun. He refused at all costs (even threats to his own life) to place his, our, Oomta on the market to the highest bidder or to ones with quid pro quo independency schemes. He was able to do the one thing our nation unfortunately repeatedly forgets -- learn from our mistakes. After the betrayal of the British, Mar Shimun understood that our aspirations for a fruitful future is entirely our responsibility and work.
However Mar Shimun was a profound scholar, fine writer, and an eloquent speaker. Even with the looming threats and contradictions from our "leaders", he presented the ever famous "Assyrian Question" at the World Security Conference and the League of Nations even though soon afterwards, the Iraqi Gov't had flown Malik Khoshaba?? to counter our nation's aspirations and remain servitude to the Iraqi bloody regime, the very same that perpetuated the Simele massacres.
I am not talking about the religious leader Mar Shimun recognized and respected worldwide and invited numerous times to conferences as THE distinguised speaker (he even sent Dr. Lamsa when the then Pope John XXIII commissioned Vatican II and invited Mar Shimun). I am talking about the loyal and devout Assyrian Mar Shimun who diplomatically fought for our independent aspirations even though he had very little allies and MANY enemies. This isn't about church sects or denominations, but pure and plain Assyrianism.
It is these principles, ethics, and actions that have been sold, lost, and blurred by so-called leaders in today's negotiations with foreign leaders (AHEM QURDS). Due to this belief and the resilience in not allowing our Nation to be the victim of another betrayal, Mar Shimun was assassinated in front of his house by Daoud Qatoola. Although Daoud Qatoola claims it was over his CANONICAL marriage, court documents provide clear links between him and "leaders" that were upset with Mar Shimun's refusal to deal with untrustworthy agents involved in quid pro qui independency deals. Even Mar Dinkha spoke of the political nature of his assassination on Radio following his funeral and alerted people not to fall for the facade of Mar Shimun's marriage as the reason for the death.
It is because of these things it is heart-wrenching the abuse and disrespect his anniversary of his death incurs. How DARE we, as a nation, not give this leader his deserving respect and celebration at least in IOTA compared to the comfort, stability, personal compensation, and blood he paid with.
We as a nation must inquire and uncover Mar Shimun's words and actions as well as investigate the muzzled nature of his assassination on that fateful day in November 1975. We must inherit the responsibility to publicly display our pride and indebtedness to this great leader who paid with his life to resist the bribes from foreign powers, the treason from within, and diplomatic struggle for an independent nation with some method of autonomous determination.
It is the ADM that is continuing his legacy for the independent aspirations for our people on the premise of diplomacy.
Here is a new poem about Mar Eshai Shimun that is both emotional yet informative on the tribulations this man succeeded against.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF9aRXoD_oE
