Assyrian Democratic Organization commemorates 108th anniversary of Sayfo Genocide

ZALIN and QABRE HEWORE, Syria — During a public event in Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) commemorated the 108th anniversary of the 1915 Sayfo Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire and its allies.

The event began with a minute of silence for the martyrs and lighting candles in remembrance of their souls. Head of ADO’s Public Relations Office Gabriel Moshe delivered a speech highlighting the importance of passing down the memory of the Sayfo Genocide to the younger generation in the homeland and diaspora to ensure that the memory of the targeted Syriac–Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean–Maronite communities remains alive, and the heinous crimes committed against them are never forgotten.

Moshe emphasized the significance of commemorating the Sayfo Genocide in preventing similar crimes. “Because justice and accountability for Sayfo and other genocides were not applied, crimes against humanity still continue to this day,” he said.

Moshe also called for tolerance, forgiveness, and reconciliation to eradicate racist or obscurantist ideologies and remove hatred among the peoples of the region. He urged the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people to keep striving for their legitimate national rights.

The ADO also held a commemoration ceremony for the Sayfo Genocide’s 108th anniversary in Qabre Hewore (Qahtaniyah), North and East Syria.

Meanwhile, the Church of the Holy Cross in Ankawa, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), hosted an event to remember the Armenian people and other communities who suffered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.