Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union launches Syriac language course for elderly learners in Baritle

BARITLE, Iraq — The Beth Nahrain Patriotic Union (Huyodo Bethnahrin Athroyo, HBA) inaugurated a beginner-level Syriac language course tailored for elderly learners at its local committee headquarters in the Nineveh Plains town of Baritle (Bartella), Iraq.

The HBA’s education official welcomed participants, commending their commitment to reconnecting with their ancestral Syriac language.

“Our Syriac heritage boasts a rich literary and cultural legacy worthy of preservation,” he stated, expressing pride in the initiative.

Special recognition was given to Salma Abdul Ahad Yusuf, who is leading the course and contributing to the enhancement of Syriac literacy among the Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian community.

During the first session, Yusuf introduced the historical roots of the Syriac language, its dialectical variations, the alphabet structure, and the vowel system. The lesson focused on foundational elements, including basic vowel sounds, simple consonant-vowel blends, and introductory vocabulary.

The course, which spans three months, consists of weekly two-hour sessions aimed at fostering language preservation, promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer, and reinforcing cultural identity within the community.