Assyrian Democratic Organization commemorates Simele Massacre in the homeland and diaspora

QABRE HEWORE, Syria / ENSCHEDE, Netherlands / WIESBADEN, Germany — On the 89th anniversary of the Simele Massacre against the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people, the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) held a remembrance event on Saturday in Qabre Hewore town in North and East Syria.

The event was attended by political and religious figures, representatives of political parties, social personalities, and a large gathering of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people.

The event began with a minute of silence for the souls of martyrs, after which the ADO speech was delivered. It focused on the lofty meanings of martyrdom and recalled the values ​​for which the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people were martyred throughout the ages, as well as the most important locations at which the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people sacrificed in defense of their presence in their historical land.

Official of the ADO Culture and Documentation Office Bashir al-Saadi delivered a lecture narrating the events of the Simele Massacre in northern Iraq and how it still affects the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people to this day.

On Sunday, ADO, in cooperation with the Bethnahrain National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), held a remembrance of the Simele Massacres, at the Beth Nahrin Assyrian Club Hall in Enschede, the Netherlands.

The remembrance event included laying a wreath at the martyrs’ monument and observing a minute of silence for their souls.

Yawsef Beth Turo then delivered a speech on behalf of MUB. Sanharib Mirza delivered a speech on behalf of ADO.

A poem by Sabri Saado was recited and a lecture by member of the ADO General Secretariat Bashir al-Saadi was delivered via Zoom. The lecture included a presentation of the situation and conditions of the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people.

External Relations Officer of the Bethnahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo d-Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) Aziz Emmanuel reviewed the situation of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and the challenges they face.

Also on Sunday, the Beth Nahrin Assyrian Club, in coordination with ADO, commemorated the Simele Massacre at the Club’s headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The ADO speech was delivered by Mathuya Khanania, who spoke about the lofty meanings of martyrdom and the suffering of the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) people which continues to this day.