Daily Archives: April 16, 2012

Armenians in Pakistan

Notable Armenian settlements in Pakistan can be found in the cities of Karachi, Lahore and in the capital Islamabad. These Armenians are mostly rich and well-settled.

There was a fairly large Armenian colony in Lahore as early as the 16th century, in the time of the Mughul Empire. Armenians prospered there, and while most were general merchants, members of the community were also noted as owners of breweries.

In 1711, there was a Bishop of the Armenian Church in Lahore. However, many Armenians, including twenty merchants with their families, fled from the city after a Mughul governor threatened them. The community of the 17th and 18th centuries was greatly reduced, but with the arrival of British India, an Armenian presence continued in this part of the South Asia until the early 20th century. In 1907, the remaining Armenians in Lahore were visited by Armenian Archbishop Sahak Ayvadian, a primate of the Indo-Iranian Diocese in Calcutta.

The numbers of Armenians in Pakistan are much lower than they once were, but there is still an Armenian presence in Karachi. They have further been bolstered by newer Armenian migrants from have arrived from neighboring Iran and Afghanistan and exact figures are uncertain due to census irregularities. Currently Armenians make up one of the largest christian Minority groups in Pakistan.

Amazing Volunteer Opportunity in Armenia

Forwarded:

Last year, our volunteer home building group worked to put these two boys into a safe secure home – they had been living in the rusty metal shipping container you see in the background. This June 3-17 we’ll be enjoying the richness of Armenia and its generous people in a remarkable way – by working side by side with families to construct decent housing. Join us to travel Armenia’s historic roads to see pre-Christian sites, 3rd century churches, green pastures, colorful marketplaces, and dramatic mountain gorges. Learn about Armenia’s captivating history and culture while importantly, helping a needy family achieve their lifelong dream of a healthy home. You will come away with more than you give, with more than you ever hoped to receive.

No construction experience is necessary – there’s a job for everyone. We typically alternate working 2-3 days doing concrete block construction and then tour for 1 day, with 2 days to explore Yerevan at the end of the build. Beautiful scenery, wonderful people, organic foods and a lively culture make for these times worthy of return trips!

The cost of the trip is $1450, which includes 13 nights of hotel accommodations, 12 days of meals, ground transportation (to/from airport, to/from build site, & touring), insurance, site and tour staff, T-shirt/hat & orientation materials, worksite equipment and materials, and museum/event/concert passes. The team members are responsible for obtaining their passport, immunizations (all that is really needed is an up-to-date tetanus), visa (~$12, available online), and airfare.

Accommodations are double to triple occupancy rooms with private baths (showers, sinks, and flush toilets). Breakfast is served in the hotel, lunches are served at the building site, and dinners are at various local restaurants. Our hotel in Yerevan is the Shirak hotel (see http://shirakhotel.am/rooms.html) and the Argishti Hotel in Vanadzor (see http://www.visitarm.com/Vanadzor-Argishti-Hotel/argishti.html and reviews at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1438527-d1438482-Reviews-Argishti_Hotel-Vanadzor.html).

Fuller Center for Housing was established by the founders of Habitat for Humanity to carry out the original mission of providing housing through sweat equity and no-interest loans. For more information on Fuller Center for Housing Armenia, see http://www.fullercenterarmenia.org/get-involved/int-v and Fuller Center Armenia FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57171610381

Please let me know if you’re interested in the trip, and please feel free to pass this email on to friends who may want to join us on this unique volunteer vacation,

Patricia Zerounian
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