Syriac–Assyrian community in Sweden honors martyrs of Simele Massacre

VITA, Sweden — The Coordination Committee of Political Parties of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) Community in Sweden, in collaboration with the Assyrian Church of the East, organized a memorial event at Urhoy Hall in Vita, Sweden, to honor the martyrs of the Simele Massacre.

The remembrance ceremony began with a solemn minute of silence to honor the souls of the fallen. Following this, school students and their families participated in a candlelight procession, accompanied by somber music.

Sargon Nikola, the Assyrian Democratic Movement’s representative in Scandinavia, delivered a speech on behalf of the Coordination Committee, highlighting the historical massacres suffered by the Assyrian (Aramean–Chaldean–Syriac) people, from the 1915 Sayfo Genocide to the more recent atrocities and displacements caused by the Islamic State (ISIS) in Nineveh Plains. He emphasized the importance of unity among the Assyrian (Aramean–Chaldean–Syriac) people and called on all Assyrian (Aramean–Chaldean–Syriac) parties and institutions to join the Coordination Committee to strengthen their collective ability to confront the ongoing challenges facing their community.

Poet Yalda Mar Okil then recited a poignant poem reflecting on the crimes and massacres endured by the Assyrian (Aramean–Chaldean–Syriac) people.

The event concluded with a speech by Assyrian Church of the East Bishop for Sweden and Germany Mar Odisho Oraham. He spoke about the long history of persecution faced by the Assyrian (Aramean–Chaldean–Syriac) people, particularly after their conversion to Christianity.

Bishop Oraham also stressed the significance of unity among Assyrian (Aramean–Chaldean–Syriac) parties and institutions, asserting that the specific name used to identify their people is less important than the manner in which they collaborate and support each other. He expressed gratitude to the Coordination Committee — which includes the Assyrian Democratic Organization, the Assyrian Democratic Movement, the Bethahrin National Council, and the Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party — and affirmed the church’s readiness to support the Committee’s efforts.