Ashur Yousif

Ashur Youssouf (Syriac: ܐܫܘܪ ܝܘܣܦ ܐܦܢܕܝ, Ašur Yousep Afendi), also known as Ashur Youssif, born Abraham Youssouf; (1858 Harput, Ottoman Empire – June 23, 1915 Diyarbekir, Ottoman Empire) was a professor and an ethnic Assyrian intellectual prior to World War I and the Assyrian genocide.

In 1909, Ashur started publishing a Turkish-language newspaper named Murshid Athuriyion ("the spiritual guide of the Assyrians").

Yesterday on Sunday morning April 19th 1915 when we had heard that the Turks were crazed with the anger of beastly slaughter, sparing neither man woman or child we became terrified.

Do not worry over my death-it is God's will- I am going to heaven to protect the rights of the Assyrians at the presence of the biggest and greatest Judge.

The time is almost up and I close this sad missive with wishes for your welfare and safety, so that God may some day lead you to revenge on your enemies!