Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian political parties to hold annual commemoration of Simele Massacre in Botkyrka

BOTKYRKA, Sweden — The Athra coalition of several Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian political parties, Syriac cultural associations, and the Assyrian Church of the East will hold their annual 1933 Simele Massacre commemoration, this Sunday, at the Urhoy Hall in Botkyrka, Sweden. 

The commemoration will feature addresses by political party representatives in Eastern and Western dialects of Syriac language and poetry recitations. The Syriac-Assyrian Women’s Union will deliver remarks highlighting the significance of martyrdom and remembrance. Archbishop of the Assyrian Church of the East Mar Odisho Abraham will address the gathering on behalf of the church.  

The organizing parties have extended invitations to members of the Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) community in Stockholm and environs to participate in the commemoration. 

The Athra coalition consists of the European Syriac Union, Assyrian Democratic Organization, Assyrian Democratic Movement, Assyrian Democratic Party, Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party, and the local Assur Association. 

The annual commemoration serves to remind society at large of the importance of never forgetting the atrocities that the Chaldean-Syriac Assyrian people endured in 1933 in Simele and surrounding villages perpetrated by the hands of the Iraqi army and allied Arab and Kurdish tribes, while the British mandate did nothing to stop it.