Bethnahrin National Council institutions in Iraq and Syria hold vigils and prayers for martyr İzla Özgun

BAGHDEDE, Iraq / BETH ZALIN, Syria – Following the martyrdom of İzla Neriman Özguna, a member of the Executive Committee of the Bethnahrin National Council (MUB), its constituent parties in Iraq and Syria held vigils and memorial services in her memory.  

The Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (HBA) held a vigil at its local headquarters in the Nineveh Plains town of Baghdede (Qaraqosh / Hamdaniyah), Iraq, on Saturday, attended by former party leader Youssef Yaqoub Matti, local official Samer Shamoon, members of the Bethnahrin National Council and the Baghdede HBA local council, and Fr Quryaqos Bartiloyo.

MUB member Ablahad Saka spoke about the many qualities that the martyr İzla possessed. She gave boundlessly much in her work and she distinguished herself through sacrifice, courage and loyalty. Saka talks about her work for the Beth Nahrin Women’s Union (BNOW). She was responsible for the Union for many years, worked to promote equality between men and women and defend democratic values, took part in the first organizational efforts in Europe, and played a fundamental role in field work in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. He ended by saying that the martyr İzla “will remain a beacon that illuminates our work and national path.”

In a related context, BNOW held a vigil for martyr İzla, as part of its International Women’s Day event. ­­The prayer was attended by HBA President Joseph Saliwa, Mar Younan Hanno, Archbishop of the Syriac Catholics in Mosul, Fr Quryaqos Bartiloyo, Bishop Faris Tams, director of St Paul’s House for Church Services, and a number of HBA and MUB members.

In Beth Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, in an atmosphere of sorrow and appreciation for her sacrifices for the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) nation, a vigil and prayers for the soul of the martyr İzla were held this Sunday morning, with a large official and popular presence.

Prayers were held at the Syriac Orthodox Virgin Mary Church, after which the participants, accompanied by the Syriac scouts, went to the Gulbenkian Hall for the vigil and commemoration. The commemoration was attended by MUB members from various cities in northern and eastern Syria, Bishop Mor Maurice Amsih, several priests, residents of Beth Zalin and representatives of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES).

MUB board member Isho Koria gave a speech in which he emphasized the importance of the martyr’s role in the national struggle and her sacrifices. Georgette Barsoumo, an official of the Syriac Women’s Union, and Siham Quryo, Co-Chair of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), spoke about Hawro (Comrade) İzla’s fingerprints in the struggle of Syriac women and praised her work for the nation. Sihanuk Dibo, an official of the Relations Office in the Democratic Union Party, spoke about Hawro İzla’s role in the political and social struggle.

The vigil ended with feelings of sadness and solidarity, with those present emphasizing the continuation of the path of struggle, in honor of the spirit of the martyr İzla and all martyrs.