Athra Alliance of Sweden remembers Simele Martyrs

BOTKYRKA, Sweden — The Athra Alliance of Sweden held its annual commemoration of Martyrs day, with special focus on the Simele Massacre of 1933. The commemoration, on Sunday August 10, in the city of Botkyrka, began with a moment of silence for the souls of the martyrs. 

Jacob Mirza, representative of the European Syrian Union for Internal Affairs, delivered a speech on behalf of the Athra Alliance, highlighting the importance of honoring together the martyrs who gave their lives for nation and Christian faith. “Now is not the time to examine history or which church was founded first, but rather the time for unity in the demands for the rights of our people in the homeland of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).” 

Next, poet Sabri Ishoh recited a poem on the meaning of Simele Day, followed by Zekiye Cansu of the Assyrian Women’s Association, who addressed the historical massacres of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people and stated in her conclusion that now is the time for unity. Poet Shamasha Pinges then recited a poem. 

Assyrian Democratic Movement representative Yalda Maruwkil spoke on behalf of the Athra Alliance about the importance of young people becoming active in the political and social life of the nation to pass on traditions and heritage to future generations.

In his speech, politician Aday Beth Kinne expressed his expectation that the Chaldeans-Syrians-Assyrians will realize their rights and expressed his admiration for the Athra Alliance for their work and organizing the Simele commemoration. Regarding the youth, he emphasized that they have overcome the many divisions within the nation and expressed his hope that they will pick up and continue the national struggle. 

The commemoration concluded with a talk by Bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East, Mar Odisho Abraham. He too addressed the long history of massacres of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people. For him, it is clear that many actors do not want a Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian presence as a people in Beth Nahrin. Regarding the divisions of denominations and names, he proposed overcoming divisions by referring to the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people as Mesopotamians. For Mar Odisho, unity of demands is now the most important item on the agenda of the Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian people. He proposed that the political and civil organizations and churches come together soon to formulate unified national demands. 

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