Calls to end marginalization, ensure political partnership for Syriacs during Akitu celebration

The Syriac Union Party, in coordination with the Assyrian Democratic Party, organized the Akitu celebration in the village of Tel Wardiyat in the countryside of Tel Tamr.

Hundreds of members of the Syriac Assyrian Chaldean people gathered this morning in their folkloric attire at the celebration square, with broad participation from other components. The event was attended by political figures, representatives of civil councils, Foza Youssef, a member of the Presidential Body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), representatives of the Syrian Democratic Council, the al-Hasakah Provincial Council, and the Director of Education.

The celebration began with a minute of silence to the sound of the Assyrian national anthem. Then, Gabriel Shamoun, a member of the Executive Committee of the Syriac Union Party, delivered a speech in which he congratulated all Syrians on Akitu, stating:
“Our national rights, our holidays, and our language are the foundation of our struggle. They are not merely a slogan, but a goal we seek to have recognized in Syria. Once achieved, the usurped rights will return to their rightful owners, and life will return to a body that has suffered from injustice and marginalization.”

He added:
“Syria will regain its place when the rights of the Syriac Assyrian people are recognized, and it will regain its brilliance as a Syria for all Syrians that acknowledges its ancient history. Akitu is the oldest holiday in history and originated from this land. It symbolizes the renewal of nature and rebirth. Therefore, we have always needed and still need a new rebirth for Syria that will shake off the effects of barbaric regimes that have harmed Syria and its people and torn apart its social fabric.”

He continued:
“We celebrate this national holiday while we are still strangers and unknown in our historical homeland, Syria. We still do not exist for the current government that came after the fall of the Ba'ath regime and is managing the transitional phase in Syria, and we remain outside classification according to its vision. We believed that the system of marginalization and exclusion had ended with the fall of the Baath regime, and that a new era of respect fulfilling Syrians’ aspirations had begun. Our party does not seek rewards today, but rather the rights of the Syriac Assyrian people within a constitution and political system that guarantees their rights and reflects Syria’s deep-rooted heritage and diversity.”

He concluded:
“On this historic day, we call on the Syrian government to recognize full national rights and include them in the Syrian constitution, and to achieve genuine partnership among all political forces and representatives of components to successfully lead the transitional phase. Agreement among Syrians will create the conditions necessary for a new rebirth of Syria one that we want to be democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized.”

For his part, Johnny Hormiz delivered a speech on behalf of the Assyrian Democratic Party, congratulating all attendees and stating:
“This holiday is not merely the beginning of a new year, but a symbol of the continuity of an ancient people that contributed to building one of the most important civilizations in human history.”

He added:
“Our regions are going through complex political and security conditions, and our people in Iraq and Syria continue to face major challenges related to existence, identity, and national rights. In Iraq, despite constitutional recognition of pluralism, our people’s rights still require real strengthening through the actual implementation of constitutional guarantees. In Syria, the profound transformations the country is witnessing raise serious concern about the status of the Assyrian component, which is exposed to marginalization and exclusion at many political stages. We reject all policies that exclude our people and call for ensuring fair and genuine representation of Assyrians in Syria’s future, as well as safeguarding their national, cultural, and religious rights within a clear constitutional framework.”

He emphasized:
“Our people’s rights can only be achieved through explicit constitutional recognition of our national identity, ensuring our participation in decision-making, and preserving our presence in our historical regions, alongside our call for Assyrian unity to confront current challenges, renewing our commitment to continue defending the rights of the Assyrian people.”

In turn, Foza Youssef, a member of the Presidential Body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), congratulated the Syriac Assyrian Chaldean people and all Syrian components on Akitu, stating:
“The Syriac Assyrian people are among the most ancient peoples of Mesopotamia. Unfortunately, over past centuries they were subjected to genocides, and in Syria they were marginalized. However, after the July 19 Revolution, for the first time in many years, the Syriac Assyrian people were able to achieve historic gains, beginning to learn their mother tongue and practice their culture freely. This achievement must be preserved and generalized across all of Syria.”

She added:
“The Syriac Assyrian people made great sacrifices during the Syrian revolution and were displaced. This people have the right to live in Syria with its rights, and the gains it achieved in the region must be guaranteed within the Syrian constitution. We are facing a new phase that requires us, as components, to unite to build a Syria that embraces all peoples and sects a Syria for all Syrians.”

At the conclusion of the speeches, the Atra Assyrian Band, Inanna Band, and the Choir performed artistic and musical shows, while participants formed traditional dabke dance circles to the rhythm of national songs.

ANHA