Kalistan

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New AYIC Director Jacob Maxwell said Kalistani Yeudis should celebrate global heritage
Perhaps this could include Displaying Hulanevek Diamond, suggest Director
Kaliburg, Grant Duchy of Ananto
February 18, 5680


Jacob Maxwell, a professor of Yeudi Scholarship takes helm of AYIC this month

The Yeudi Scholar, Professor Jacob Maxwell has taken the mantle of leadership at the Anantonese Yeudi Interest Committee, and immediately signaled a hopeful change in outlook for the lobbying Group. "A lot of our relationship with the rest of the diaspora was conditioned by a strong sense of Nationalism to our adopted home here in Kalistan," said Maxwell. "Mr. Romero, my predecessor and founder of this organization, was a strong nationalist. And while I too maintain loyalty to the Emperor and Empress, I also don't want that to be the only thing Kalistani Yeudis are known for."

Maxwell, in his first interview, set out a bold vision for the future of the AYIC. "We don't play defensive here in Kalistan," said Maxwell. "We are secure here. We aren't even in a place like Valruzia, which apparently is having a spasm of Yeudi scapegoating, despite their removal of that one guy who asked all the Yeudis to leave Valruzia. Instead, there is no reason that we should not reach out, built constructive links between Seleyan Yeudi communities, and also build bridges to our kin across the ocean in Majatra? The Diaspora is not thriving if it is excluding people, shutting down conversations, and thinking only in terms of our nation."

Maxwell called Yeudis a "global population" who have roots in countries like Kalistan, or Majatra or Amudim, and also have relatives and friends across the globe. "Keeping ourselves shuttered like this, or focused on one nation in particular cuts out a significant amount of the cultural value we bring to our home nations. There are millions of Yeudis in our diaspora world wide, and we have the opportunity to sample each culture that we are from, to share what we learn, to introduce ourselves to new people, and to put our culture on display for the world to appreciate and discover. Our music, our food, our celebrations, and yes, also our days of fasting and lamentation... They are all special to us, trace their roots back thousands and thousands of years, and should make us interesting, not scary, to one another and to the people of the world at large."

Maxwell said that Kalistan could do a better job trying to heal the rifts between the Empire and Amudim. "What is clear is that Amudim also wants to celebrate this culture, our global culture. We can get past who controls the narrative, who gets to say what the Diaspora does. But our Government, the one I love so much, the one 3 Million Kalistani Yeudis love so much, can do something easy to open the door to peace. I would like to visit Amudim someday. Why not take steps to allow me and 3 Million of my co-religionists do that?" He suggested that perhaps the Hulanevek Diamond can be a part of that. "We know its theirs. Our Emperors have kept it safe here in Kalistan, and I am convinced that the Beiteynese appreciate that. But I am sure they would also like to see their cultural heritage too. Hell, it would encourage Yeudis to come here to visit Kalistan and I know this is a priority of our own monarchs. We could call increased cultural tourism a win for Kalistan, if we need to do that."

Maxwell said his selection as leader of AYIC shows that Kalistani Yeudis would like a change in direction between Kalistan and other nations with Yeudi populations. "AYIC is in Kalistan right now," said Maxwell. "Imagine if we could have peace with nations where other Yeudis make up large portions of the population: How amazing would that be for Kalistan?"

For the time being, Maxwell is getting situated in his offices, and is expecting to meet with Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Fredrick IV Ananto and Empress Jennifer I Ananto in informal audience within three months.

@TheRepublic