Syriac Association in Örebro holds seminar on the Sayfo Genocide. MPs Yusuf Aydin and Arin Karapet call for official Swedish recognition

ÖREBRO, Sweden — On Saturday, the Syriac Association in Örebro organized a seminar commemorating the Sayfo Genocide, the mass atrocities committed by the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes during World War I against the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), Armenian, and Greek communities. The event focused on urging the Swedish government to formally recognize these tragic events as genocide.  

The seminar, held at the Syrianska Kulturcentret adjacent to the Syriac Orthodox St. Aho Church, was inaugurated by Habib Dilmac, former President of the Syriac Federation of Sweden. Attendees included prominent community figures such as Shabo Grigo, representing the European Syriac Union (ESU); Father Malik Olger, pastor of St. Aho Church; Yusuf Aydin, Syriac parliamentarian for the Christian Democratic Party; and Arin Karapet, Armenian parliamentarian for the Conservative Party. A large audience of community members also attended.

Also read: “KAFNO”: The Genocide on the Christians of Mount Lebanon during the First World War

In his speech, Yusuf Aydin underscored the urgency of Sweden’s acknowledgment of the Sayfo as genocide, stating, “The time has come for Sweden to recognize the crimes committed during World War I as genocide, following the lead of other European countries.”  

Similarly, Arin Karapet highlighted the significance of remembrance, stating, “As descendants of the victims, we honor the memory of those who suffered in these massacres every year.” He renewed his call for the Swedish government to take a firm stance on recognition. 

The seminar concluded with a heartfelt musical performance by Cornelia, a Swedish member of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Cornelia, who has embraced the Syriac heritage by learning its language, sang a moving song in English, symbolizing her commitment to the community’s cultural preservation.   

This seminar not only honored the victims of the Sayfo Genocide of 1915 but also strengthened the collective call for justice and historical acknowledgment, emphasizing the importance of unity and cultural solidarity within the community.