Union of Syriac Writers in Iraq holds memorial vigil for Baghdede wedding hall fire martyrs

BAGHDEDE, Iraq — In commemoration of the tragic wedding hall fire in the Nineveh Plains town of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniya), Iraq, in which 133 members of the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community lost their lives, the Union of Syriac Writers and Authors in Iraq organized a memorial vigil.

The memorial event, held at Mar Paul’s Church Services House on Saturday evening, opened with a solemn minute of silence paying tribute to the martyrs. Writer Rand Boulos delivered a speech recalling the widespread solidarity expressed by members of government, clergy, and civil society organizations and personal initiatives both within and outside Iraq.

Akad Murad, Vice President of the Syriac Writers and Authors Union, emphasized the need for official and popular activities to address the tragedy. He urged the active participation of writers, artists, and other components of civil society in documenting the event. He also announced that the Writers Union plans to dedicate a special issue of the magazine Sefrotha to the tragedy.

The administrative body of the Union welcomed comments and suggestions from attendees.

The event served as a reminder that each martyr, like Rafidah Hanna Majeed Shito, the 133rd martyr of the tragedy, marked a poignant chapter in Baghdede’s history, renewing the impact of the tragic incident with every farewell the city bids to its fallen heroes.

The commemoration closed with several poets reciting moving verses dedicated to the memory of the tragedy.