To raise the money it needed to pay for its programs in Cilicia, the AGBU launched a national fund-raising campaign and secured permission to organize a lottery. Outraged by the organized violence inflicted on the Cilician population, many Egyptians participated in both. The Grand Sheikh of the renowned University of Al-Hazar even issued a public declaration condemning these abominable acts.25 Five thousand E.P., the equivalent of about $25,000, was earmarked for the purpose of providing means of subsistence both to people who had been left homeless in Adana, Dörtyol, Hajin, Mersin, and Tarsus, and also to the Cilician Armenians who had found temporary havens in Cyprus, Syria or Egypt.26
The true foundation of the AGBU in the Ottoman Empire may thus be dated to summer 1909. The organization’s Cilician operations left a very favorable im¬pression on Ottoman Armenians. From 1909 on, the Union grew by leaps and bounds in the Empire; dozens of local chapters sprang up across Asia Minor. At the same time, chapters were organized in the United States, in New York, Providence, and Philadelphia. At the 25 November 1909 central board meeting, a decision was taken to solicit Gabriel Noradungian’s assistance in petitioning the Ottoman government to authorize creation of an AGBU chapter in Smyrna.27 At its 18 February 1910 meeting, the board also decided to open an orphanage in Dörtyol.28 Thanks mainly to a big donation from Dikran Khan Kelegian, a Parisian antique dealer, the first steps toward the construction of the Kelegian orphanage were taken in short order.29 Garabed Sheridjian went to Dörtyol to see to buying a plot of land, while another central board member, ... Read all
April 1909: A Turning Point in AGBU History
AGBU branches founded in fiscal year 1909-1910
Ottoman Empire
* Constantinople: Gabriel Noradungian, Mgrdich Yesayan, Dr. Nazareth Daghavarian, Ardashes Hurmuz, Artin Aslanian, A. Shmavonian, Y. Karageuzian, M. Manugian, I. Ipranosian.
* Smyrna: Dr. B. Constans, G. Yesayan, A. Avedisian, M. Aznavurian, G. Arabian, M. Morukian, E. Ekisler, H. Alpiar, H. Harentz.
* Magnesia: M. Keuleyan, Dr. H. Sandaljian, H. Unjian, H. Jingilian, M. Asdurian.
* Mersin: M. Zilveyan, B. Urfalian, H. Cherchian, V. Enkserjian, M. Kelejian.
* Bursa: K. Mgrdichian, M. Nigoghosian, B. Genlibeuyukian, S. Zarifian, O. Khubkhoshian.
* Sivas: Z. Avedikian, Dr. K. Suni, S. Tovmajian, M. Deyirmenjian, D. Shirinian, M. Odabashian, M. Kurkjian.
* Erzinjan: H. Lepian, K. Surmenian, Dr. D. Papazian, K. Lepian, K. Altunian, Y. Perdahjian. Read all