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Influential Assyrian Individuals: The Top 10 Names to Know

5 min read January 23, 2024

The Assyrian people have a rich history and culture, and they have made significant contributions to various fields throughout history. Here are 10 popular celebrities and notable people of Assyrian ethnicity:

  • Sarah Brightman: An English soprano, actress, and dancer. She is one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
  • Nuri Kino: An Assyrian-American actor, comedian, and social activist. He is best known for his role as George Kayyum in the television series “Weeds”.
  • Michael Ealy: An American actor. He is best known for his roles in the films “Think Like a Man”, “The Perfect Guy”, and “Sleeper Cell”.
  • Nouman Ali Khan: An American Muslim scholar and speaker. He is the founder and CEO of Bayyinah Institute, an Islamic educational institution.
  • Huda Kattan: An Iraqi-American makeup artist, blogger, and entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Huda Beauty, a cosmetics company.
  • Margaret Cho: An American comedian, actress, and singer. She is best known for her stand-up comedy and her roles in the television series “All-American Girl” and “Drop Dead Diva”.
  • Sammy Sheik: An Assyrian-Australian singer-songwriter. He is best known for his song “Luminous”, which reached number one on the Australian Singles Chart.
  • AshurbanipalBabilla: An Assyrian-American actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for his role as Navid Shirazi in the television series “90210”.
  • Esther Hannaford: An Assyrian-Australian politician. She is the current Minister for Mining and Pastoral Regions in the Government of Western Australia.
  • David Benjamin Keldani: An Assyrian-American author, journalist, and human rights activist. He is the founder and director of the Assyrian Aid Society.
Assyrians are an indigenous ethnic group native to Mesopotamia, a geographical region in West Asia. Modern Assyrians descend from Ancient Mesopotamians such as ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, originating from the ancient indigenous Mesopotamians of Akkad and Sumer, who first developed the civilisation in northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) that would become Assyria in 2600 BCE. Modern Assyrians may culturally self-identify as Syriacs, Chaldeans, or Arameans for religious, geographic, and tribal identification.Assyrians speak Akkadian-influenced Aramaic (Suret, Turoyo), one of the oldest continuously spoken and written languages and one of the oldest alphabetically written languages in the world. Aramaic has influenced Hebrew, Arabic, and some parts of Mongolian and Uighur. Aramaic was the lingua franca of West Asia and the language spoken by Jesus. Assyrians are almost exclusively Christian, with most adhering to the East and West Syriac liturgical rites of Christianity. The churches that constitute the East Syriac rite include the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East, whereas the churches of the West Syriac rite are the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Syriac Catholic Church. Both rites use Classical Syriac as their liturgical language. The ancestral indigenous lands that form the Assyrian homeland are those of ancient Mesopotamia and the Zab rivers, a region currently divided between modern-day Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria. A majority of modern Assyrians have migrated to other regions of the world, including North America, the Levant, Australia, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus. Emigration was triggered by genocidal events such as the massacres in Hakkari, the massacres of Diyarbekır, the Assyrian genocide (concurrent with the Armenian and Greek genocides) during World War I by the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes, the Simele massacre, the Iranian Revolution, Arab Nationalist Ba'athist policies in Iraq (between the years 1968–2003) and in Syria with the takeover by Islamic State of many parts in Syria and Iraq, particularly the Nineveh Plains between 2014–2017. Events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq by United States and its allies, and the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, have displaced much of the remaining Assyrian community from their homeland as a result of ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists. Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the United Nations to have fled Iraq since the occupation, nearly 40% were indigenous Assyrians, even though Assyrians accounted for only around 3% of the pre-war Iraqi demography.The emergence of the Islamic State and the occupation of a significant portion of the Assyrian homeland resulted in another major wave of Assyrian displacement. The Islamic State was driven out from the Assyrian villages in the Khabour River Valley and the areas surrounding the city of Al-Hasakah in Syria by 2015, and from the Nineveh Plains in Iraq by 2017. In 2014, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units was formed and many Assyrians joined the force to defend themselves. The organization later became part of Iraqi Armed forces and played a key role in liberating areas previously held by the Islamic State during the War in Iraq. In northern Syria, Assyrian groups have been taking part both politically and militarily in the Kurdish-dominated but multiethnic Syrian Democratic Forces (see Khabour Guards and Sutoro) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

Most Famous Assyrian People

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Assyrian Mystique: Unraveling Three Key Historical Legacies

The Assyrian community is a rich and vibrant cultural group that has a proud and ancient heritage. With roots dating back thousands of years, the Assyrians have made significant contributions to the world in various fields such as art, science, and literature. Today, the Assyrian people are spread out across the globe, with large communities residing in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Here are three of the most well-known historical inheritances associated with the Assyrian heritage:

  • Assyrian language: The Assyrian language, also known as Syriac, is a dialect of Aramaic, which was once a widely spoken language in the ancient Near East. It is one of the oldest continuously spoken languages in the world, with evidence of its usage dating back to the 8th century BC. Today, it continues to be used by the Assyrian community for religious and cultural purposes.
  • Assyrian art and architecture: The Assyrians were known for their impressive artistic and architectural achievements. Their art often depicted scenes from mythology, warfare, and daily life. One of the most famous Assyrian artistic legacies is the winged bull and lion sculptures that guarded the entrances to palaces and temples. These majestic sculptures showcased the Assyrians’ skill in stone carving and were also symbolic of their military might.
  • Assyrian literature: The Assyrians have a rich literary tradition that dates back thousands of years. Ancient Assyrian literature includes epic poems, law codes, and royal inscriptions. One of the most well-known literary works from this period is the Epic of Gilgamesh, considered to be one of the earliest surviving works of literature in the world. Assyrian literature has had a significant influence on subsequent civilizations and continues to be studied and appreciated today.
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These are just a few examples of the many historical inheritances associated with the Assyrian community. Through their language, art, and literature, the Assyrians have left a lasting impact on the world and continue to preserve and celebrate their rich cultural heritage to this day.

In a striking celebration of diversity, numerous prominent individuals proudly reflect a mosaic of Bedouin, Kaka’i and Shabak roots, highlighting the intricate interplay of cultures within their heritage. From accomplished leaders to acclaimed artists, these figures embody the rich lexical semantic tapestry of ethnic backgrounds, illustrating the vibrant spectrum of human experiences.

Factsheet About Assyrian People

“`

Country Population Percentage
Iraq 3,000,000 33%
Syria 500,000 6%
Turkey 400,000 4%
Iran 300,000 3%
Lebanon 100,000 1%
Other 3,200,000 35%

“`

Assyrians are an indigenous ethnic group native to Mesopotamia, a geographical region in West Asia. Modern Assyrians descend from Ancient Mesopotamians such as ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, originating from the ancient indigenous Mesopotamians of Akkad and Sumer, who first developed the civilisation in northern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) that would become Assyria in 2600 BCE. Modern Assyrians may culturally self-identify as Syriacs, Chaldeans, or Arameans for religious, geographic, and tribal identification.Assyrians speak Akkadian-influenced Aramaic (Suret, Turoyo), one of the oldest continuously spoken and written languages and one of the oldest alphabetically written languages in the world. Aramaic has influenced Hebrew, Arabic, and some parts of Mongolian and Uighur. Aramaic was the lingua franca of West Asia and the language spoken by Jesus. Assyrians are almost exclusively Christian, with most adhering to the East and West Syriac liturgical rites of Christianity. The churches that constitute the East Syriac rite include the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and the Ancient Church of the East, whereas the churches of the West Syriac rite are the Syriac Orthodox Church and the Syriac Catholic Church. Both rites use Classical Syriac as their liturgical language. The ancestral indigenous lands that form the Assyrian homeland are those of ancient Mesopotamia and the Zab rivers, a region currently divided between modern-day Iraq, southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and northeastern Syria. A majority of modern Assyrians have migrated to other regions of the world, including North America, the Levant, Australia, Europe, Russia and the Caucasus. Emigration was triggered by genocidal events such as the massacres in Hakkari, the massacres of Diyarbekır, the Assyrian genocide (concurrent with the Armenian and Greek genocides) during World War I by the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes, the Simele massacre, the Iranian Revolution, Arab Nationalist Ba'athist policies in Iraq (between the years 1968–2003) and in Syria with the takeover by Islamic State of many parts in Syria and Iraq, particularly the Nineveh Plains between 2014–2017. Events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq by United States and its allies, and the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, have displaced much of the remaining Assyrian community from their homeland as a result of ethnic and religious persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists. Of the one million or more Iraqis reported by the United Nations to have fled Iraq since the occupation, nearly 40% were indigenous Assyrians, even though Assyrians accounted for only around 3% of the pre-war Iraqi demography.The emergence of the Islamic State and the occupation of a significant portion of the Assyrian homeland resulted in another major wave of Assyrian displacement. The Islamic State was driven out from the Assyrian villages in the Khabour River Valley and the areas surrounding the city of Al-Hasakah in Syria by 2015, and from the Nineveh Plains in Iraq by 2017. In 2014, the Nineveh Plain Protection Units was formed and many Assyrians joined the force to defend themselves. The organization later became part of Iraqi Armed forces and played a key role in liberating areas previously held by the Islamic State during the War in Iraq. In northern Syria, Assyrian groups have been taking part both politically and militarily in the Kurdish-dominated but multiethnic Syrian Democratic Forces (see Khabour Guards and Sutoro) and Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

The Ancient Heritage of Assyrian Ethnic Groups

Assyrian Ethnicity: References and Resources

When learning more about the Assyrian ethnic group, there are several references and resources available that can provide deeper insights into their history, culture, and identity. These sources offer a range of perspectives and information, helping to paint a comprehensive picture of the Assyrians and their heritage.

Here is a compiled list of references and resources that can be used to explore the Assyrian ethnic group:

  • Britannica – Assyrian People: This article on Britannica provides an overview of the Assyrian people, including their history, migration, language, and religion. It offers a concise but informative introduction to the topic.
  • AINA – About Assyrians: AINA (Assyrian International News Agency) is an organization dedicated to covering Assyrian news and providing resources about the Assyrian people. Their website offers various articles, reports, and interviews that shed light on different aspects of Assyrian history, culture, and contemporary issues.
  • Assyrian Foundation of America – Who are Assyrians?: The Assyrian Foundation of America provides a comprehensive overview of who the Assyrians are, their identity, language, religion, and diaspora. It covers historical events, such as the Assyrian genocide, and highlights the contributions of Assyrians to various fields.
  • Academia.edu – Assyrian Studies: Academia.edu is a platform where scholars and researchers share their work. Searching for “Assyrian Studies” provides access to a wide range of academic papers, articles, and research on Assyrian history, language, culture, and related topics.
  • “Assyrian History: Ancient and Modern” by Richard Nelson Frye: This book explores the history of the Assyrians from ancient times to the 20th century. It covers the rise and fall of the Assyrian Empire, their survival as an ethnic group, and their experiences in modern times. The author, Richard Frye, was a renowned historian and expert on the Assyrians.
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These resources provide a great starting point to delve deeper into the history, culture, and experiences of the Assyrian ethnic group. Whether for academic purposes or personal interest, exploring these references can help foster a better understanding and appreciation of the Assyrian people and their rich heritage.

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Syarif Muhamad

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