The Syriac Asfar-Najjar Family: pioneers of Syrian agriculture in a journey through time

Introduction

Across the sprawling plains of the Syrian Gozarto (Jazeera) Region, where the sun’s rays intertwine with the green expanse of fields and rivers flow like lifelines nourishing the land, the Asfar-Najjar family carved an indelible mark in the annals of Syria’s national achievements. This Syriac family, whose journey began in the late 19th century, did not merely survive the challenges of their era—they transformed the soil into a saga of success, becoming a symbol of resilience and innovation, not only in Syria but across the region. 

From Hardship to Hope: The Family’s Origins

The roots of this epic tale stretch back to 1895 –at the start of what historians Benny Morris and Dror Ze’evi called The Thirty-Year Genocide- when the massacres known as “Sayfo Damad” swept through Omid (Diyarbakir), forcing Saeed Najjar to flee to the United States. There, he established a school for Syriac orphans in 1899, reflecting his commitment to his community in exile. Yet his heart remained tied to his homeland, prompting his return to Omid in 1900. Meanwhile, Maryam Radwanli, who had married Harmoush Asfar in 1894 and given birth to their son Masoud, faced a cruel fate when her husband perished in those same bloody events. Destiny brought Saeed and Maryam together in 1901, when they married, and Saeed adopted Masoud, preserving the Asfar name in honor of his late father. From this marital bond came Abdul Majeed, Lutfi, Shukri, Yaqoub, Elias, and Samira, marking the beginning of a family legacy known as Asfar-Najjar.

Settling in Zalin (Qamishli) and an Agricultural Leap

After World War I, as unrest grew in Turkey, the family chose to relocate to Zalin, where they were warmly welcomed by the local community, including the Arab tribes of Tayy, Harb, and Rashid, in a vivid display of unity and solidarity. In this new land, the family turned to agriculture, acquiring vast tracts stretching from Zalin to Khabur and Rish Ayno (Ras al-Ain). By the 1930s, as Syria’s agricultural sector flourished, the Asfar-Najjar family emerged as a formidable force, playing a key role in elevating Syrian wheat production to global prominence, thanks to innovative farming techniques they introduced as early as 1936.

A Partnership That Sparked an Agricultural Revolution 

A defining moment arrived when the family partnered with the heirs of Ibrahim Pasha al-Milli to reclaim expansive lands in Rish Ayno. Using massive water pumps from the Ain Zarqa spring and a meticulously designed network of canals, they breathed life into these territories, turning them into a hub for wheat and rice production. At the heart of this endeavor, they built a luxurious home atop a hill overlooking the spring and river, surrounded by blooming gardens—a testament to their ambition and creativity. 

The Asfar-Najjar Company: Leadership and Impact

In the 1940s, the family founded the “Asfar-Najjar Brothers” company, led by Masoud Asfar as chairman, alongside his brothers Abdul Majeed, Lutfi, Shukri, Yaqoub, and Elias, with Edward Masoud Asfar joining later in 1954. Under their leadership, the company launched a series of groundbreaking initiatives: an agricultural research center, modern machinery imported from Italy, a weather monitoring station in Hasakah, and a 20-kilometer irrigation canal watering 30,000 dunams approximately 15,000 hectares. They also established a rice-husking factory in Holeb (Aleppo) in 1945, an export company that shipped hundreds of thousands of tons of grain to Europe by the 1950s and introduced sprinkler irrigation systems in 1955.

A Profound Social and Political Legacy

The family’s vision extended beyond economic success to uplifting their community. They funded schools, hospitals, and youth centers, and contributed significantly to establishing Zalin’s (Qamishli) electricity company. Politically, Elias Najjar stood out, serving as a member of the Syrian parliament in 1947 and 1954, where he advocated for farmers’ rights. Among their notable achievements was the founding of Mabrouka village in Rish Ayno, which housed thousands of families and was named in honor of Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mar Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum’s visit in 1953. 

A Painful End: Nationalization and Loss

The family’s success endured until the late 1950s, when nationalization policies during the Syria-Egypt union of 1958 cast a shadow over their journey. Much of their land was seized under agrarian reform laws, followed by a final blow in 1966 when the Ba’ath regime confiscated all company assets, leaving the family without compensation. Scattered and displaced, their legacy faded into memory, though their story lived on in the national consciousness of the Syriac people.

Conclusion: A Legacy That Defies Oblivion

The Syriac Asfar-Najjar family was more than a family of agricultural pioneers— its members were a symbol of determination and collaboration between Syriacs and Arabs. They turned the Syrian Gozarto (Jazeera) Region into a breadbasket, setting new standards for agricultural innovation. Though their empire crumbled under the weight of nationalization, their legacy endures as a testament to a golden era in Syria’s history, when the land reflected the dreams of an entire people.