Beth Nahrain Youth Organizes Cultural Outing to Bandawaya to Foster Unity and Identity

BANDAWAYA, Iraq – In an effort to build community and strengthen cultural identity, the Beth Nahrain Youth Organization hosted a recreational youth trip to the scenic region of Bandawaya, a valley north of Mosul, this week. The event drew young Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian men and women from various towns and villages, united by a shared heritage and a desire to connect. 

The day-long gathering featured a range of activities—from team-building games to artistic and cultural performances—set against the backdrop of Bandawaya’s natural beauty. Laughter, music, and spirited conversations filled the air, as participants bonded over shared traditions and aspirations for the future. 

Organizers Hussam Tosh and Nur Kajo described the outing as part of Beth Nahrain Youth’s broader mission to empower young people, foster dialogue, and create spaces for positive interaction.  

“It’s not just about having fun,” Hussam Tosh said. “It’s about keeping our culture alive and giving our youth the tools to shape tomorrow.” 

The event highlighted the power of simple gatherings to strengthen identity, promote unity, and offer young people a sense of purpose and belonging in a rapidly changing world.