Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey commemorates Bethnahrin National Council martyrs with event in Medyad

MEDYAD, Turkey — The Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey (Süryani Dernekler Federasyonu, SÜDEF) organized a commemoration to honor the martyrs of the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB) at the SÜDEF’s hall in Medyad (Midyat), Turkey.

The memorial event paid homage to the martyrs through a series of heartfelt speeches exploring the profound significance of martyrdom. In addition, attendees were treated to a poignant documentary recounting the histories of the MUB’s martyrs.

The commemoration began with a minute of silence, a tribute to the souls of the martyrs and all those who have sacrificed their lives in the name of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people.

Following the moment of reflection, a solemn prayer was conducted for the martyrs’ souls, led by Father Shimon Kurt from Worms, Germany, who had journeyed to the historic Tur Abdin region, in what is now southeastern Turkey, for the occasion.

In his address, Father Kurt expounded upon the profound meaning of martyrdom and underscored the enduring importance of the struggle for the freedom of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people.

SÜDEF President Evgil Türker then addressed the assembly, emphasizing the paramount significance of commemorating the martyrs who have made immense sacrifices in the name of their people’s freedom.

Türker added that martyrdom stands as the pinnacle of selflessness, a reminder of the heights to which individuals can ascend when defending their people’s liberty. He stressed the vital necessity of unity among the various institutions and parties of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and the urgent need to exert unrelenting effort, particularly during this challenging period marked by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

The memorial ceremony, which drew a significant number of attendees from across Tur Abdin, concluded with the screening of a documentary film that vividly depicted the lives of the MUB’s martyrs, offering a testament to their history and their unwavering commitment to the cause.