Assyrian American National Federation elects Alan Mooshekh as new president
Alan Mooshekh, a lawyer from Arizona, has been chosen to lead the Assyrian American National Federation following its annual meeting.
Alan Mooshekh, an Arizona-based lawyer, has been elected the new president of the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF) during the organization’s annual meeting on September 1.
Born in Turlock, California – a city known for its vibrant Assyrian community –Mooshekh later moved to Arizona to pursue studies in business and law at Arizona State University. Reflecting on his early life, he told AGN-TV in a recent interview:“I was raised in Turlock which is full of Assyrians. I remember joining the Assyrian New Year parades as a young boy, so being a proud Assyrian came naturally.”
While in Arizona, Mooshekh became active in the Assyrian American Cultural Organization, an involvement that eventually opened the door to national-level engagement with the AANF. His work and dedication within the community have now culminated in his election as head of the federation.
In 2022, Mooshekh traveled to Assyria with the organization Gishru, where he gained a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Assyrians in the ancestral homeland. “It was a wonderful experience to meet Assyrians living in the homeland,” he said. “But it was also disappointing and frustrating to see the lack of economic opportunities they have to improve their lives.”
As president, Mooshekh is expected to continue strengthening the role of the AANF in advocating for Assyrians in the United States while fostering ties with the global Assyrian community.
The Assyrian National Federation of America, known today as the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF), was established in 1933. Its founding was prompted by the Simele Massacre, in which thousands of Assyrian civilians were killed in northern Iraq by the Iraqi army. The organization's roots trace back to a National Emergency Committee, which convened a general meeting on October 19, 1933, in West New York, New Jersey, followed by a General Convention on November 19, 1933, in New Britain, Connecticut – where its constitution and bylaws were adopted and its first president was elected. Today it has 28 affiliated organizations in different states across the U.S.
