Syriac Writers and Authors Union in Iraq commemorates 90th anniversary of Simele Massacre

ANKAWA, Iraq — The Syriac Writers and Authors Union in Iraq held a solemn vigil in Ankawa to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Simele Massacre, a tragic event in which more than 5,000 Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian men, women, elders, and children lost their lives under the government of Prime Minister Rashid Ali al-Gaylani in 1933.

The emotional vigil took place in front of the Chaldean St. Joseph Cathedral and it was attended by representatives of various political parties, Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian civil society organizations, the mayor of Ankawa, and the Minister of Components of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The event commenced with the ringing of the bells of St. Joseph’s Cathedral, followed by several powerful speeches emphasizing the significance of honoring the memory of the Simele martyrs.

The vigil concluded with a moving prayer service dedicated to the souls of the Simele martyrs and all those who sacrificed their lives for the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people.

Vice President of the Union, Akkad Murad, expressed the importance of unity among the parties and organizations of Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian people and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing the struggle until their national rights are fully restored in Iraq.

Murad condemned the discriminatory practices of the Baghdad government and its marginalization of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community, which has resulted in a significant decline in their numbers in Iraq, now standing at less than half a million. Before the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian populati0on was estimated at 1.5 million.