18/06/2022

The Syriac Union Party in Syria recalls the Sayfo Genocide on its 107th anniversary

ZALIN, Syria — On the 107th anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Syria held a commemorating event for the Sayfo martyrs who were slaughtered by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

The remembrance event began with a prayer held by Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Gozarto (Jazira) and Euphrates Mor Maurice Amsih, at the Virgin Mary Church in Zalin (Qamishli).

The event was attended by representatives of institutions of the Syriac (Aramean-Assyrian-Chaldean) people and a large gathering of believers.

After that, the attendees headed to the Sayfo Martyrs Roundabout. They lit candles for the martyrs’ souls and laid a wreath on the memorial.

They then headed to Mor Gabriel’s Hall to complete the remembrance program. The event began with a minute of silence for the souls of the righteous martyrs and a welcoming speech for the guests, representatives of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA), political parties, religious and civil institutions.

Then, SUP Co-Chair in Syria Nazira Goreya delivered a speech, in which she stressed the importance of the Sayfo issue for the Syriac people, and the SUP struggle to obtain Sayfo international recognition.

“We will not forget the Sayfo, and we will continue to demand accountability for the perpetrators,” said Goreya. “The martyrs’ blood will not go in vain. Their blood drew the path of life for us.”

After that, the Syriac poet Michael Philo recited a poem in the Syriac language, in which he spoke about the story of the Sayfo and the wound it left in the hearts of the Syriac people.

After that, the Yurthutha Troupe of the Syriac Cultural Association performed a play that embodied the Sayfo suffering.

This was followed by a show, prepared by Suroyo TV, that documented the murders and displacement carried out by the Ottomans against the Syriac people.

The event was concluded with a speech by Archbishop Mor Maurice Amsih, during which he affirmed the greatness of the sacrifices made by our ancestors – the Sayfo martyrs.

“They were martyrs for Christ and the homeland. Without the blood of the martyrs, we would not have been living today in safety and peace on our historical land, Beth Nahrin, (Mesopotamia),” His Eminence added.