كتاب نهاد سمعان

كتاب نهاد سمعان is a historical work by historian Nihad Seeman that documents the daily memoirs of Archbishop of Homs Athanasius Attallah, written between 1888 and 1891. The original manuscript was discovered in 1994 at the Orthodox Patriarchal Library in Homs and was photographed and edited by Seeman. This work is significant for documenting the period of unrest and preparation for the revolution against the Turks, as well as the beginning of migration to the New World and the spread of newspapers and books in the region.

The manuscript was originally found in a pile of books on a shelf at the Orthodox Patriarchal Library in Homs in 1994. It had suffered damage from bookworms and insects, making the first and last pages nearly unreadable. Seeman was allowed by the late Archbishop Alexei Abdel Karim to photograph the document using the Patriarchate's own camera equipment to prevent further damage.

The memoirs cover the critical period between 1888 and 1891, a time of growing unrest and preparation for a real revolution against the Turks. This era also marked the beginning of migration to the New World and the planting of seeds for the cultural and intellectual renaissance. During this time, printing presses began producing scientific, religious, historical, and social newspapers and books in Arabic, which helped enlighten the people.

The work aims to provide a true, unmanipulated history of that era for researchers and historians. By using the original primary source, readers can see the complete truth of the events and nature of life without political bias. This allows for a clear and realistic image of the events and daily life during that specific time period.

The memoirs were written by Archbishop Athanasius Attallah himself, who was an educated man during a time when ignorance was widespread in the city and countryside. He wrote these daily entries for his own use, capturing the reality of the region before the national awakening led to independence from both the Ottomans and the French.

The project was initiated after Seeman requested permission from the late Archbishop Alexei Abdel Karim to borrow the manuscript for reading. He wanted to verify if the document could offer useful insights for historians and truth-seekers. The decision to publish was driven by the belief that sharing these facts with others is essential for the event to be considered truly real.

The original manuscript was stored in the Orthodox Patriarchal Library in Homs, where it was discovered amidst other books. It was in a fragile state due to age and pest damage, requiring careful handling during the photography process. Seeman worked personally to ensure no further harm came to the document while creating the digital record.

The work is intended for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the true history of Homs and the Antiochian See. It serves as a primary source for understanding the social memory and identity formation of the region during a pivotal time. The content helps fill the void for those who have lost their memory of these specific historical events.

The manuscript is described as a 'primary' or 'firstborn' document that has not been touched by political agendas. This allows readers to form a clear and realistic picture of the events and the nature of life without distortion. The author emphasizes that such original sources are crucial for understanding the depth of national character.

The period documented includes the rise of national consciousness and the awakening that led to independence. It also covers the initial migration of the community to the New World and the spread of literacy through new publications. These factors combined to transform a suffering people into an enlightened society capable of seeing the light.

The author notes that the difficulty of understanding these events is compounded by the loss of memory among those who lived through them. Without access to such primary sources, people would be swimming in a void, unable to grasp the true nature of the past. The project seeks to ensure that these truths are understood by everyone, not just a few.

The work highlights the role of the printing press in spreading knowledge and transforming the region. It details how the production of scientific and religious books in Arabic illuminated the area and contributed to the national awakening. This period laid the groundwork for the subsequent independence from both Ottoman and French rule.

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The official website of كتاب نهاد سمعان is nouhadsemaanbook.com.

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