Farid Nazha

Farid Elias Nazha (Syriac: ܦܪܝܕ ܐܠܝܐܣ ܢܙܗܝ‎, pronounced [fɑriːd nɑzhe]; born 10 January 1894 in Hama, Syria, died 19 October 1970) was an Assyrian Nationalist and a journalist. He was known for his criticism to Syriac Christian Clergy which led to his excommunication by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Afram I Barsoum. He is considered one of founders of modern Assyrian nationalism.

Early life

Farid was born on 10 January 1894 to a family which traces its roots back to Kharput in modern-day Turkey. In 1911 a number of Syriac Orthodox members of his family converted to Syriac Catholicism which initiated a bitter conflict between the Arameans/Assyrians/Syriacs of Hama. Farid's father decided to send his son to Argentina to prevent him from getting involved in the conflict.

In Augusts 1911 he arrived in Buenos Aires, there he studied Mathematics and Economy. He got married and moved to Santiago del Estero in March 1920 where he worked there, and after 11 years he went back to Buenos Aires.