Syriac communities across Europe honor Matay Rabo on 15th martyrdom anniversary

WIESBADEN, Germany — Memorial services were held in multiple European cities to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the martyrdom of Matay Rabo, civilly known as Iskender Alptekin, a prominent leader in the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo d’Bethnahrin, MUB). In Wiesbaden, Germany, the occasion was marked with a traditional Syriac prayer ceremony at the Church of Mor Ishaya, reaffirming Rabo’s enduring legacy as a symbol of unity and resistance.

The Teshmeshto prayer service was led by Father Sabri Shahin and organized by the Wiesbaden chapter of the MUB alongside Rabo’s family. In his sermon, Father Shahin stressed the importance of honoring fallen heroes to preserve the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people’s shared identity and purpose. “Our martyrs are the cornerstone of our national identity,” he said. “By remembering them, we uphold our dignity and unity.”

The European Syriac Union (ESU) issued a statement on 18 May, praising Rabo’s humility, moral leadership, and unwavering dedication to his people’s cause. “Our leaders are our martyrs,” the statement declared. “They sacrificed their lives for our freedom. By following their example, we gain the strength to face injustices and unite under the legacy they left us.”

Matay Rabo is celebrated not only as a political activist but also as a guiding moral force for the movement to secure the rights of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people around the world and in their homeland of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia). Attendees at the memorial agreed that his legacy continues to inspire the community’s pursuit of justice, recognition, and a future built on dignity and peace.