By Harut Sassounian
http://www.TheCaliforniaCourier.com
On YouTube, I came across two fictional videos that distort Armenia’s history and identity. The first video, which runs for nine minutes and 53 seconds, is titled: “The world’s first Christian country now embraces Islam: Millions of its citizens convert to Islam”. The second video, lasting eight minutes and 24 seconds, is titled: “The first Christian country in the world: Now 99% Muslim”.
The two videos, which offer somewhat different content, are narrated by an unidentified individual with a professional voice. They tell the baseless story of how the entire population of Armenia supposedly converted to Islam. The videos contain many realistic-looking scenes of Armenia, likely created by artificial intelligence.
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The videos are produced by an unknown entity called ‘Light of Islam.’ When I first viewed these videos, YouTube displayed a note stating that they contained “altered or synthetically-generated content,” but that notice is now removed. YouTube shows on the screen a lengthy explanation requiring that videos disclose if the content is fictitious. I urge readers to file a complaint with YouTube.
My objection is based on the fact that these videos contain false information, misleading non-Armenian viewers into believing that it is truthful.
To illustrate the fabricated narrative presented in these videos, here are excerpts from one of the videos which I have transcribed:
The video starts with an entirely fictional history of Armenia: “In the 17th century, churches became mosques, crosses were replaced by crescents, and Bibles were replaced by Qurans. Armenia, the world’s oldest Christian country, is now a devout Muslim country has its culture disappeared, [though] the art of stone-carving Khachkars has survived, now inscribed with holy verses. Armenian folk songs are still sung, but their lyrics praise God. Armenian is still spoken, but prayers are now recited in the name of Allah. In school, children memorize the Al-Fattah [one of the 99 names of Allah] and continue to learn about their nation’s history….”
In the video, Armenia is portrayed as having “developed into a center of Caucasian Islamic culture. Large Madrassas [Islamic schools] were established in Gyumri and Yerevan. Armenian Muslim writers and poets emerged writing poetry in Armenian, Arabic, and Persian. A new spiritual capital grew up around Lake Sevan. It was there that the largest mosque in the Caucasus was built whose architecture combines the design of ancient Christian Khachkars with Islamic calligraphy…. Armenia is now a bridge between the Islamic world and the West. Armenia’s Muslim diplomats sit at the European negotiating table. They speak five languages, quote al-Ghazali [11th century Persian Muslim scholar] and Shakespeare in one sentence. They are respected, because they are the mirror of two worlds. This country is living proof that identities can grow without losing their roots, and that faith can change without killing culture. In universities, Armenian scholars study two great legacies: the Bible and the Quran, the cross and the crescent, not as symbols of conflict, but as two sides of their history. What makes a nation great is not whether it is Christian or Muslim. Today, in that alternative Armenia, the call to prayer still echoes from the minarets of mosques that used to be church bell towers. Children still dance folk dances singing the songs of their ancestors, now with verses praising God.”
The narrator then introduces a fictitious individual which he calls ‘Harut’! “One day, Harut asked: ‘Mom, why is there a picture of a cross in our house? Aren’t we Muslims?’ His mother paused, then, she answered quietly, ‘because it’s part of who we are, son. We used to be Christians, then we became Muslims, but what never changes, we are always Armenian.’”
The video continues: “At school, Harut learns to read the Quran and also learns about the ancient Armenian alphabet. In his small library, there are old leather-bound Qurans and a Bible in Krapar [classical Armenian], both inherited from his grandmother who was a nun before converting to Islam. When the harvest festival arrives, families gather in the town square. Mothers serve lavash and dolma, while children dance the Kochari to the accompaniment of zurna and davul [drum]. The Imam of the mosque and the caretaker of the old church stand side by side welcoming people who have come from the mountain villages.”
“Outside the school, new buildings stand side by side with ancient ruins. A mosque with Ottoman style arches sat next to an Armenian church with its distinctive cone roof. The call to prayer echoed through the air, but the small toll of the bells that were still rung on special occasions, in honor, not in resurrection. Armenia’s new government created an impartial history curriculum. The National Museum showcases both the stories of Christian martyrs and the early spreaders of Islam in the region: in one room, an old icon of Jesus, in another, a torn 16th century prayer rug. In the middle, an inscription reads, ‘Here is where wounds and love learn to coexist.’”
YouTube should be urged to delete both fictitious videos to prevent misleading viewers who are unaware of the true facts about Armenia’s culture and religion.
