Olaf Taw Foundation expands Syriac language education with adult course in Beth Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria

BETH ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Olaf Taw Foundation for Syriac Language continues in its mission to safeguard the Syriac language and culture by launching new educational programs designed for all age groups. Its most recent initiative, an adult Syriac language course hosted at the Syriac and Arboye Community Council in Beth Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria, sought to strengthen efforts to protect the mother tongue from the threat of extinction.

The course was directed by the head of the Olaf Taw Foundation, Josephine Soumi, with instruction provided by Syriac language teacher Yakub Barsoum, who also leads a language education program on Suroyo TV. The program drew strong participation from adult women, who used the preparatory textbook to study the fundamentals of reading and writing in Syriac.

The course concluded with a final examination on Thursday, 21 August 2025, held at the Syriac Union Party headquarters in Beth Zalin. The test measured students’ grasp of the basic principles of Syriac and their readiness to move on to advanced study. Conducted in a calm and supportive environment, the examination gave participants ample time to demonstrate their knowledge with confidence.

To ensure clarity, Soumi read the questions aloud and explained them as needed, while the exam itself included a range of progressively challenging exercises suited to different levels of proficiency. According to Soumi, the results were overwhelmingly positive, with participants excelling in their performance and several achieving full marks.

One of the students, Mirna Maliki, expressed her enthusiasm for taking part in the Olaf Taw Foundation’s adult program. Speaking to Suroyo TV, she described the course as both valuable and enriching, offering her an important opportunity to strengthen her connection to her heritage. She also extended her gratitude to the supervising team and to instructor Yakub Barsoum for their dedication to teaching and preserving the Syriac language.

By expanding opportunities for Syriac education, the Olaf Taw Foundation continues to play a vital role in sustaining cultural heritage in Beth Zalin and across the wider Gozarto region of North and East Syria.