Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language organizes celebration in Qabre Hewore on International Mother Language Day, calls for official recognition of Syriac in new constitution

QABRE HEWORE, North and East Syria — On 21 February, the Olaf Taw Association for Syriac Language hosted a vibrant celebration in Qabre Hewore (Qahtaniyah), located in Gozarto (Jazira) Canton, North and East Syria, to commemorate International Mother Language Day. The event, held at the headquarters of the Syriac Union Party (SUP), brought together representatives from the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo D’Bethnahrin, MUB), Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) intellectuals, and members of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community.

The program featured Syriac-language songs, cultural performances, and discussions on the language’s historical and cultural significance. Attendees emphasized the vital role of Syriac as one of the world’s oldest languages and reiterated the importance of preserving and promoting it.

Speaking to SyriacPress, Perola Youssef, an administrator at the Syriac Cultural Association, highlighted the necessity of recognizing the Syriac language in Syria’s future. “The Syriac language is one of the oldest in the world, and it deserves official recognition in the new Syrian constitution,” she stated.

Saliba Yaqub, head of Olaf Taw in Qabre Hewore, echoed these sentiments by drawing attention to the archaeological evidence of Syriac inscriptions. “This language is an essential part of our heritage. We call on all communities in the region to learn Syriac and for it to be officially recognized in the new Syrian constitution and included in school curricula,” Yaqub urged.

Adeeb Shabo, a member of the General Council of the SUP, underscored the sacred role of Syriac in religious rituals and its significance to the community’s identity. “Today, our people are celebrating the Syriac language, which is central to our identity and religious heritage. It is crucial that we, along with other communities, continue to learn and preserve it,” he stated.

As efforts to promote and protect Syriac gain momentum, celebrations like this event serve as vital reminders of the language’s historical importance and the growing demand for its official recognition in Syria’s constitutional and educational framework.