Facebook and Hotmail blocked in Syria?

I have not yet confirmed this news, and we will await confirmation.

I already know that all the website addresses that end with .blogspot.com are blocked in Syria, although there are very few cases in Damascus and Aleppo, who have access, but they are the minority and an exception.

Lately, rumor has it that Facebook, as well as Hotmail (sometimes) are being blocked in many regions for some reason. In case this is true, it will hinder some of the communication between the two countries, since most of the youth communicate through Facebook and Hotmail.

We will confirm about this, as soon as we receive updates.

Update (27/Nov/07): So this is TRUE! The Syrian government has blocked Facebook. This is ironic... just yesterday, Zaven Kouyoumjian on Future TV was asking about Facebook, it seems that he will talk about Facebook next week. Also, two weeks ago, a New TV journalist talked about Facebook and how different people were meeting in Facebook groups and talking about various issues, mostly ideological views, that are censored in Arab countries.
Others tried to bypass the blockade, however, even proxy-bypassing software and anonymous web-browing website are figured out by the Ministry IT and have blocked the ports they use.

Here are some links and views:
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSOWE37285020071123
http://www.mideastyouth.com/2007/11/24/syria-blocks-facebook/
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/19/syria-facebook-banned/

How to write a comment to a specific post/article/author

Most of the readers are new to blogging and to the idea of leaving comments. So, I took the initiative to tell you how simple it is to add a comment, a suggestion, or an encouraging word, which others can see and also respond to. This is the beauty of this website; it encourages the idea of community, communication, and participation among all the readers. It serves like the "Letter to the Editor" or "Response to a specific Article" section, found on most of the known magazines.

So, here goes:

1- Under each post/article you have one of these boxes, like the image you see on the right. Click on "comments", and a page will open up.


2- This page is similar to the image that you see on the right. Write what you want to write in the box.

3- Beneath the box, there are letters. Write these letters in the "Word Verification" box.

4- Choose "Nickname" instead of "Google/Blogger" or "Anonymous". Choosing "Nickname" will save you from inserting username and password. And since most of the readers do not have gmail or blogger account, choosing "Nickname" is the easiest and best option.

5- Write your name (although this is optional).

6- Click on "Publish Your Comment".

7- You will see on the top of the same page of commenting box a message, telling you either that your comment was added or was not. Most of the time, in case of problems, it's the "Word Verification" that you need to write again for security reasons.

That's it!

Try it :) Just for the fun of it, write a letter to this post, write a message or just the word "trial" would be fine too, just for the fun of it :)

Raffi

How was the KHOROVADSI YEREGO ??????

Ourpat 8 noyemper 2007in, deghi ounetsav chanits KHOROVADSI YEREGON yegeghetsii sherchapagen ners... kisherva oudelike YERSHIGER. Chanitsaganner badrasdetsin yev hamdesetsin yershigi sandwichenere yev kisherva metnolorde khantavaretsin irents yerekerov yev barerov.

Inchbes nayev gouzenk kidnal tser gardsike ays yeregoyin massin ...

Gernak tser gardsiknere krel comment-i pajnin metch
Thanks in advance !!!!

Football match that ended with a great victory

On Nov. 1, 07, the soccer team of our Chanitz played against the team of Software Design Company. Our guys played very well and showed team spirit and good game.

The team members: A. Torkomian, H. Hanneyan, G. Torkomian, S. Ohanian, H. Demirjian, M. Chilingirian, J. Baghboudarian, M. Hagopian, K. Aynilian and the pastor Rev. H. Svajian.
The cheer leaders and fans: J. Ohanian, R. Chilingirian, H. Kalbkjian, H. Gojikian

Eventually, our team won with a very good score.

The First Armenian Internet Christian Radio

Bashde.org is the first Armenian internet Christian Radio.

This is what they say in their "About" page:
Bashde’s goal is to worship the Lord through uplifting Armenian Christian music and songs. We started Bashde in early 2007 and our goal is to continue to develop a web site where Armenian Christian songs can be used to minister to our beloved Armenian people.

We also want to encourage emerging Armenian Christian artists promote new creative and uplifting songs for our Lord and Savior.

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psalm 30:12

The songs of the following artists and groups are played:
  • Anna Mayilyan
  • Gilbert Hovsepian
  • Nancy Tutunjian
  • Nor Yerk
  • Salpi Keleshian
  • Sossy Astourian
  • Tamar Albarian
  • Trina Kiujian

    • Iraqi Armenians: They too had once a Homeland

    Eighth Issue - 3rd November 2007 - Armeniantimes.eu

    By Hovig Demirjian

    "We deeply regret this incident" was the classical statement after the tragic killing of two civil Iraqi Armenians Maro and Geneva earlier this month in Baghdad. A Foreign Security Company staffed by the Australians in Iraq was held responsible for the shooting of these female Taxi drivers who were on their way back home. As if their daily fight and flight was not enough, the Armenian community in Iraq once again mourned for the death of their daughters. The bad news was passed through media without enough attention as if the lives of humans has become so worthless as not to merit mention. Or the media is tired of broadcasting similar incidents and the correspondents give up easily. Whatever is the reason for such lack of concern, we have the responsibility to uncover the truth standing behind the lives of this minor community striving for life and facing death everyday.

    Unofficial reports number the Iraqi refugees crossing the borders and reaching Jordan, Syria and Lebanon around 5 million. Yet this figure is never registered in UNHCR (United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees) head offices for fear of further persecution and deportation. While the majority of the refugees are of Muslim faith, the remaining minority are Christians not only in their country of origin but also in the host countries too. Regarding the Armenian community who enjoyed relative safety in Baghdad and Mousel prior to the fall, for them the situation has changed dramatically. All those Armenians who were rich enough to bribe the border knights have safely reached neighboring countries and especially Lebanon. Maintaining a detailed figure about the Armenians leaving Iraq is impossible due to many reasons. Primarily, not all of them register in the governmental offices or UN agencies for fear of identification and thereafter expatriation. Secondly, they don't see a real benefit from such a risky step. Third, the Armenian community already has its socio-medical and educational organizations that will cater for the very needs of the newcomers. For some Bourj Hamoud has remained the cradle for the existence of the Armenians in the Middle East.

    According to many live testimonies here in Bourj Hamoud, the Iraqi Armenians are silenced, threatened, displaced from their homes and churches and finally persecuted for the reason of carrying an Armenian name. In other words, such confessions cannot but remind us of the 1915 "deghahan". It all echoes fresh as if history is repeating itself once again. And if all this painful imagery does not move our collective conscience and memory, then one must wonder what does. What should be our expectations from the Lebanese Armenian community at large? On the other hand, what are the role and responsibilities of the refugees themselves in the host countries?
    First, instead of absolute reliance on our organizations, every member of the community is in front of the challenge to receive and welcome these refugees even in their homes if needed, at least temporarily. Remember, all of us were refugees once. Secondly, special care, treatment and support have to be provided for the Iraqi Armenians since they are simply victims of war. Finally, educating and schooling them within the local classrooms remains fundamental to avoid any gap. On the part of the refugees, the message is clear for the displaced people and nations: self-isolation might prove destructive. Instead, a quick assimilation within the societal institutions has to succeed in the instance of their first establishment. Otherwise, Armenian refugees in Lebanon might not enjoy the blessing of the natives' welcome.
    Finally, the Armenian people and nation at large have accepted its fate for continuous displacements, persecutions, and deghahanner (deportation) . As mentioned before, in the nation's collective memory, displacement has left its fingerprint that might never be erased. In parallel to widely famous historical incidents of displacement, from now forward one example is simply added in our history: Iraqi Armenians and their century old homeland…gone!

    First ever Children’s Ministry Training Conference in the Gulf

    UAE November 2007: 240 participants from 4 different Arab Gulf States came together for the first ever children’s ministry training conference in the Arabian Peninsula. In October the Bible Society in the Gulf facilitated the first Beyond Words 2007 conference organized by the Grain of Wheat Foundation from Lebanon. The highly innovative training conference was held over three days in October at the Dubai Evangelical Church Centre in Jebel Ali Dubai, UAE.


    The Sunday School teachers, children’s ministry workers and catechists who attended were from several mainline traditions such as the Catholic, Episcopalian, Marthoma, Orthodox, Evangelical, Baptist and Pentecostal churches. Workshops in 9 different skills and theatricals were conducted and the conference delegates received training in story-telling, drama, clowning, puppetry, ventriloquism, tricks and illusion, children’s worship, technology and keep fit.





    Each of these different areas presented the delegates with unique, fun and interesting techniques to deliver the Gospel message and Biblical values to children.
    Shahab said, “My attitude to teaching the Bible to children will never be the same, my classes will never be the same.” Maria from one of the local churches said: “This conference has inspired our creativity and rekindled our commitment to children’s ministry.” Elizabeth said: “Now I have learned three new forms through which I can open up God’s Word to children. Using fun techniques such as these will remove the boring element from my classes.” John said, “I didn’t realize that leading children’s worship is a lot more demanding than adult worship. This workshop also helped me see the importance of conveying correctly, basic theological concepts based on an accurate interpretation of God’s Word.” Besides training exposure conference participants could also appreciate the diversity and unity in the church. Eustachia said “thanks to the Bible Society, I was able to meet people from different church backgrounds. People I wouldn’t have normally met.” For many of the delegates attending it was their first time visit to the Jebel Ali Bible Centre also located in DECC. Hala, Annie and Shibu said “We are amazed at the variety of Children’s Bibles and materials available here in the UAE”. Cyril, Raji, Anthony and many others asked, “When is the Bible Society organizing another conference like this? We want all our friends to attend and not miss a special opportunity like this one.”

    * We received this news from Hrayr Jebejian, General Secretary- The Bible Society in the Gulf.

    Orbituary of Rev. Samuel Aghapegian‏

    Dear brothers and sisters,

    It is with deep sorrow we inform you of the passing away of the Rev. Samuel Aghapegian.

    Rev. Aghapegian was born in Aligoudarz, Iran in 1947 into the family of Samson and Herignaz Aghapegians. He grew up in the Armenian Evangelical Church in Tehran. He married to Arpineh Mahshigian. He studied in NEST and graduated in Bachelors in Theology in 1984. They served the church together from July 1984 to 1989 in Ekizolukh and Keorkune Armenian Evangelical Churches. Rev. Samuel Aghapegian was ordained to pastorate in August of 1987.
    He left the churches because of health problems and came to Beirut in 1990-1991 to serve with his wife in the Centers for Armenian Handicapped in Lebanon taking care of the elderly and leading the Evangelical worship services of both, Centers for the Armenian Handicapped and the Armenian Sanatorium of Azounieh in Lebanon. Rev. Aghapegian was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday Nov 14th ,2007 because of a heavy cerebral stroke.

    He passed away very early morning of Thursday Nov 15th 2007.

    Rev. Aghapegian is survived by his wife Arpineh Mahshigian Aghapegian, his mother Herignaz
    his sisters Anna of USA & Ardzemnig of Tehran and his brother in the USA.

    The funeral service will take place on Thursday Nov 22, 2007 at 1:00pm in the Armenian Evangelical Church of Nor Marash of Bourj Hammoud.

    The family and the UAECNE will receive condolences on Thursday and Friday of Nov 22 and 23, 2007 from 4 - 7 pm in the Christian Endeavour hall of the Armenian Evangelical Church of Nor Marash-Bourj Hammoud.

    How did my picture go public?

    1- What will you do when someone posts your picture on a pornographic website?
    2- What will you do when someone posts an old picture on Facebook, a picture that you don't want the whole world to see?

    Recently, I saw #2 on Facebook. Someone had posted a picture that was taken during a party, a year ago. The other person, who is in the picture, saw the image and immediately requested to take it off.

    The questions: Who has the right to post a picture in which you are also involved? Do you want everyone to know about your personal activities? What will happen if the other person ignores your request? Do you have the right to protect yourself?

    Still these issues are not taken seriously. However, these issues will be much more discussed about in the coming months. I am sure.

    Another less serious one, that took place again on Facebook, was when an old group picture was posted and every individual in the picture was tagged. One person requested the picture to be removed, because he/she did not like the picture or did not want everyone to see his/her old picture.

    A rather serious, what is called cyberbullying, happened with a decent person, whose profile was cropped and attached to a nude body, and this person's real phone number was posted.

    These are not generic cases and they are not the majority.

    However, it doesn't end here... Here's another article that I read in Aztag newspaper in Armenian, publised on Nov. 5:
    ԲԱՄԲԱՍԱ՞ՆՔ, ԹԷ ԲԱՆՆ ԱՍԱՆԿ
    ...Վերջին քանի մը տարիներուն մոտան բջիջայինով դպրոց գալն է։ Մասնաւորաբար բարձրագոյն կարգերու աշակերտներ իրենց հետ դասարան կը տանին բջիջային գործիքը՝ առանց ենթարկուելու տնօրէնութեան արգելքին։ Վերջին նորոյթն ալ գերարդիական բջիջայիններն են, որոնք տեղւոյն վրայ կը նկարեն դասարանին շարժումները, ուսուցիչին ելումուտքը, տգեղ վիճակներ ցուցադրելով։
    Այս պարագաներու մէջ ո՞ւր են ընտանիքները, երբ ճշմարտութիւնը եւ դաստիարակութեան սկզբունքները կը յայտարարեն. «Առաջին դպրոցը տունն է, առաջին ուսուցիչը՝ ծնողքը»...
    It is also not a coincidence to read a similar article about one of the schools in USA:
    Cellphones in Classrooms Land Teachers on Online Video Sites
    Education Week News - Bethesda,MD,USA
    Paul Martin, a teacher at the private AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park, Calif., said a student once taped him with a cellphone while he was ...
    There are at least two views, regarding the issues mentioned above. The first one, is more permissive, saying that these issues will not be serious concerns in the coming years, because everyone will be uploading pictures and videos of their activities. Hence, no one will feel threatened or even interested, because of the vast amount of videos found online. While, the second view asks for more rules and regulations, so that everyone would benefit from the internet, instead of feeling that their privacy is being invaded.

    What can be done, then? Should we get rid of this whole new technology, called the internet? This would be the simplest and easiest, yet deficient procedure.
    I propose that what can at least be done and should be done is educating the youth and the young adults about their proper internet use, and teaching them how to behave online in the proper manner.

    Raffi

    Your turn. Have you thought about these issues? Have you had similar incidents?