Islamized Armenians in Syria: A Hidden Diaspora Reemerges

Dr. Karena Avedissian, political scientist and researcher, shares insights from her recent visit to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, also known as Rojava—a trip made possible with the support of the Gulbenkian Foundation. There, she met with Islamized Armenians, descendants of Genocide survivors who were forcibly assimilated during and after 1915. She explains how this hidden diaspora is now reemerging and reclaiming its Armenian identity through community, language, and armed self-defense, all within Rojava’s inclusive, multi-ethnic political system. Avedissian discusses the challenges they face, from rejection by the Armenian Church to the ongoing threat of Turkish aggression, and why their story matters for the broader Armenian world. 0:00- Who are the Armenians of Rojava? 2:27- Why it’s a unique place for Islamized Armenians to reclaim their identity 4:22- What are Islamicized Armenians doing to recover their identity? 7:31- Grassroots nature of the rediscovering movement & personal story 11:04- The community’s hopes and desire for support #CivilNet #ՍիվիլՆեթ Follow us on Instagram:   / civilnet.am   Follow us on X:   / civilnettv   Follow us on Telegram: https://t.me/s/civilnetv Follow us on TikTok:   / civilnet.am   Find us on Facebook:   / civilnet.tv   Follow us on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/civilnet.bsk... Check our website: https://www.civilnet.am/ © Նյութի հեղինակային իրավունքները պատկանում են Սիվիլիթաս հիմնադրամին: ՍիվիլՆեթի խմբագրական քաղաքականության համաձայն` արգելվում է օգտագործել ՍիվիլՆեթի նյութերը առանց պատշաճ հղման, ներբեռնել և այլ օնլայն հարթակից վերբեռնել ՍիվիլՆեթի պատրաստած և տարբերանշանը կրող տեսանյութերը` առանց համապատասխան համաձայնության: © Copyright of this report belongs to the Civilitas Foundation. In accordance with the editorial policy of CivilNet (the media project of the Civilitas Foundation), materials may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior consent of CivilNet. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.