The Voice of the Syriacs Volume 1, Issue 2, page 4 Volume I, Issue 2 August 2005 The Voice of the Syriacs

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Information bulletin about the social position of the Syriacs in and outside the Middle East. It appears periodically, published by the European Syriac Union (ESU) in Brussels-. Chairman’s Message Annual Conference in Brussels

Contact: Hello and Welcome to the second On July 10th 2005, the In the second part of his speech activities with regard to the 90th Phone: 0032 2 523 4181 issue of our newsletter! European Syriac Union (ESU) Alptekin looked back on the last anniversary of the genocide Fax: 0032 2 523 6201 met for the annual general mee- year. The first chairman showed against the Syriac people, which Internet: www.esu.cc On behalf of the directorial board of ting. Therefore 56 delegates of his satisfaction with the develop- were also very successful. the European Syriac Union (ESU) I e-mail: [email protected] the member organization came ment of the ESU at the end of Summarizing everything, the would like to express my cordially together in the rooms of the the first year. He concluded: “We second chairman said: “In May greetings to you! “Centre de Peuple de even met with more general 2005 the ESU published the first Address: In the future I will have the joy to share Mesopotamie” in the European acclaim than we ever dared to edition of the newsletter called Kafro: A village performs pioneer working the ideas and views of the ESU con- capital Brussels. The meeting think of.” Moreover he apprecia- ‘The Voice of the Syriacs ‘ in European Syriac Union cerning world-political and social sub- was opened by the first chair- ted the untiring successful reali- English. This paper will come Rue Bara 152 jects with you. man of the Union, Mr. Iskender zation of the planning on the part out once in a three-month-period At the beginning of the 20th cen- homes. Many others are visiting military to leave the area. With 1070 Brussels Further we will deal with the questions Alptekin, with a one minute’s of the members of the ESU. and will be send out to European tury more than half million their homeland. They inquire the emigration of these families Belgium and results standing in this connecti- silence in memory of the martyrs Alptekin said: “In the last year parties, ministers and parlia- Syriacs lived in Turabdin, a regi- about the situation, make resto- Kafro became a ghost village. on, and report on the different activi- of the Syriac people and the vic- one main emphasis was especi- ments. on located in the South East of ration and structural repairs. Today about 180 families are ties of the ESU. tims of the terror attacks in ally put on the realization of the Then, the representative for . Particularly the persecu- Projects and concepts are prepa- living in Europe, whose origin is Chairman: Mr. Iskender Alptekin Central London after the official articles of the Union inside the financial matters of the Union, tions, numerous massacres and red, which consider a migration from Kafro . They mainly built a e-mail: [email protected] The ideas and motives of our organi- greeting. association, as well as on the Mr. Tuma Celik, said something the genocide at the end of the from the Diaspora to Turabdin. new existence in (134 Deputy Chairman: Mr. Fikri Aygur zation which emerged more than 1 vitalization of the structures of about the financial situation. 19th century and at the begin- One of these projects is the families), in Switzerland (31 fami- e-mail: [email protected] year ago as an union of different insti- In the following Mr. Alptekin pre- the Union. In addition to that one Correspondingly the income and ning of the 20th century reduced resettlement of the village of lies) and in (15 families). Secretary: Mrs. Rima Tüzün tutions from Europe, have found in the sented the agenda which went also concentrated on the expan- expense were announced in his considerably the number of Kafro. In the frame of the Resettlement e-mail: [email protected] public of the Syriacs wide agreement. on like this: dation and on the improvement report. Questions from the dele- Syriacs. As a result of the mass project, 15 families will try to sett- Treasurer: Mr. Tuma Çelik At the same time we want to search - Speech of the first chairman of the working methods.” gates according to that were migration, that took place during The village Kafro is located 15 le back in their village. This Kafro e-mail: [email protected] increasingly the dialogue with the about the reasons and motives answered, of course. the last 40 years, to mainly km southeast of and is development Association is to be European organizations, personalities of the foundation of the organi- After that the second chairman, western countries, only about lying on an easy elevation. It is prepared a concept that can gua- and politicians. zation and feedback of one year Mr. Fikri Aygur said something Among the participants also two Members of the Union 4,000 Syriacs live nowadays in surrounded by the adjoining villa- rantee the return on a domestic internal work in the organization about the activities of the Union, guests could be found: Firstly, Turabdin. The villages of ges of Enhil, Harabale and Arbo. and international economical Dear friends, - Presentation of the activity- which were altogether presented Prof. Dr. Herman Teule, head of Turabdin are now unhabitated The past of Kafro is still base. That buildings, constructed Union der Suryoye Vereine in der We live in a time in which much effort and financial reports in a booklet. In this context, to the Institute for Eastern and decayed. unknown. Until today the village in an European style, raises just Schweiz is taken to speed up a process for the - Speeches of some guests everybody’s delight, Mr. Aygur Christianity at the University of of Kafro is not examined in the like palaces out of the dreamy Switzerland purposes of freedom, democracy and - Questions and suggestions especially referred to one main Radboud in the and Important factors that that cau- usual archaeological way and all panorama of Mountains of Izlo. human rights, so that the people and concerning work in the organiza- aspect. He said: “We mainly secondly, Mr. Ayad Mossad, Bethnahrin Informations Netz sed the migration were particu- the books and documents refer- An important step is done! cultures can establish coexistence. tion concentrated on the diplomatic politician from the Netherlands. Switzerland larly the social discrimination ring to the history were destroyed relations. Regarding this, I can Both made informative spee- based on ethnic or religious during the uncountable tragic The families who return back will In order that we can take our place The first part of Alptekin’s tell you after one year that the ches about the Syriac people Union der Assyrer-Suryoye viewpoints and differences, politi- fates of the past. There are some certainly perform pioneer wor- Vereinigungen in Deutschland also as people in this new order, ESU speech concentrated on the ESU was appreciated and hono- and their role in the Middle East cal persecution through direct or ruins and buildings of churches king and set a sign encouraging Germany made it its business to broach the foundation of the ESU against red widely beyond each and also about the work of the structural acts of repression and and little commemorative houses other Syriacs living overseas to issues of problems of the Syriacs the background of the historical European national boundary. European Syriac Union. force, the violation of fundamen- th return home. Despite all the set- Union der Freien Frauen Bethnahrin in Kafro: Mor Yahkup (5 centu- internationally. events of the 20th century. This especially applies to the UFFB tal human right, the lack of funda- backs of the last decades, now it ry), Mor Barsavmo (5th century), In particular we strive for one goal: to Alptekin said: “In the course of diplomatic relations with the Later on, Mr. Teule gave a talk Germany mental freedom, a failed deve- is a positive step. But in order to the commemorative house Mary further the institutionalisation and the 20th century our population European parliaments and par- on the part Syriac people played lopment and economic policy acquire a comprehensive con- Mother of God (the year is unity of the Syriacs. was suppressed in their original ties.” in the past and in the future of Syrianska-Assyriska Riksförbundet i and the civil war in the region. cept, important prerequisites Sverige unknown), the church Mor home area by different powers in the Middle East: “Above all the Today the Syriacs live scattered must be considered. Sweden Bosuss (the year is unknown) The difficulties, which Syriacs are con- religious and political ways. Concerning the cultural activi- creative characteristics of the in Europe, North America, and and the commemorative house fronted with in their homeland and in Hundreds of thousands were ties, Mr. Aygur mentioned two Syriac nature will give them the Renyo Hiro Magazine Australia and in the countries of Turkey has to create legal and Kadisto (the year is unknown). the Diaspora, are watched carefully to massacred and persecuted in festivals: One took place in the possibility to have an influence Sweden the Middle East. In Europe are democratic standards to become In the year 1900 the village was work out and realize concepts and the process of the genocide in Netherlands last year and the on forming the new time in their living more than 200,000 Syriacs a state of law in conformity with inhabited by 30 families. During solutions. 1915. In the following decades other one was celebrated in April home countries.” Furthermore Assyrian-Chaldean-Syriac Union nowadays, whose origin is from international democratic stan- st our identity as well as our exi- this year in Netherlands Turkey. the 1 World War 1914/15, the dards in order to improve and to Finally I would like to offer my sincere stence was denied. Because of Turabdin on the Syriacs were hurt deeply by its ease the situation and the positi- Stichting Bethnahrin Informatie thanks to my colleagues for their con- that, important colors of our cul- occasion of the In the course of the termination consequences. In this period the on of the Syriacs in each way. Bureau tinued hard work. ture and tradition faded away.” spring celebration of the military conflicts in the village was uninhabited. In 1916 Economic, infrastructural, cultu- Netherlands Notice of “The Voice of The Syriacs called ‘ Ha Nison ‘. south-eastern Turkey and the the first 8 families have returned ral and scholastic projects are Newsletter “is published tree monthly. The foundation of the ESU was Looking back to Centre Culturelle de Peuple de current Turkish efforts towards from their ambushes to the villa- supposed to be constructed and explained by him like this: “After those events Mr. Mesopotamie an EU membership the situation ge. In 1970 Kafro reached the expanded in order to show a life I look forward to see you! we had the chance to participate Aygur showed Belgium in the region has eased calmed. largest number of population with perspective. Business, peace, Sincerely Yours in politics in the Diaspora and himself very con- The Exodus was stopped and for 46 families. At the beginning of prosperity and freedom are seen Institut Mesopotamie de Bruxelles after some developments were tent: “Both festi- the first time the Christian popu- the 1980’s an emigration wave in general as remigration factors Belgium set going which emphasized the vals met with a lation is growing sparely. In the reduced the number of the inha- and should be guarantee by Iskender Alptekin necessity of more professiona- good response.” Assyrer-Suryoye Kultur Verein last two years families from bitants to 5 families (in 1992). In Turkey. The State must support (ESU Chairman) lism, we founded the ESU in Austria Germany and Switzerland retur- 1995 the last three families in and promote projects ideal and May last year as a political and Moreover he also ned to their old villages and Kafro received order from the financially. cultural organization in Europe.” mentioned the The Voice of the Syriacs Volume 1, Issue 2, page 2 The Voice of the Syriacs Volume 1, Issue 2, page 3

Mr. Teule said something about his the political development in the Bartella (Baritle) - impressions regarding the last Middle East followed. Besides, the "The Turkish Government is Growing Problems in the Syriac years of development in Turkey, delegates got the chance to make ‘Home of the son of shadow“ while focusing especially on the suggestions for the future work in developing its reforms gradually to villages of region conference about Syriac people in the Union. Istanbul. reach the criteria of Copenhagen, is the homeland of the problems occurred between the own- Bartella, or as pronounced by the locals as Baritle, is a town in the Niniveh Plains. The town is situated only 20 kilometers east of the northern Iraq At the end of the conference, the Syriac Christians, who call themselves ers from Europe and the Kurdish city of Niniveh (Mosul). Bartella is an Aramaic compounded name, where Mr. Mossad was happy to hear board of the ESU came together to but this will take a period of time." in their native language “Suryoye”. clans, which settled in these villages ‘bar’ means son and ‘tella,’ with the hard’t,’ means shadow. Thus, the Their main settlement is in higher and confiscated all properties without about the varied work which was discuss a few topics and to introdu- meaning of Bartella becomes the ‘son of shadow.’Another name used was done, how Mr. Tuma Celik and Mr. ce the plan for the following period. Mesopotamia, so also the Tur Abdin. the will to give it back. These argu- Interview with ESU Chairman Iskender Alptekin Beth Bartella, here the name would mean the ‘home of the son of shadow.’ Fikri Aygur pointed out clearly in These are the most important The Tur Abdin lies in southeast Turkey ments grew more acute particularly in The priest Putros Saba al-Bartilly believes it comes from “Beth Rattly” their reports about the activities of aspects, which have to be organi- and is limited in the north and east by the villages Ayinvert, Harabemishka meaning “House of Weights”. the Union. zed and planned out in the next On the 17th December 2004, the Tigris, in the south of the Turkish- (Dagici), Zaz (Izbirak), Anhel and Bote Hereafter a big discussion about three months. the presidents of the 25 Syrian border and in the west . (Bardakci). Since the village guards Bartella is an ancient town, perhaps dating from the Neo-Assyrian European Union (EU) coun- The name Tur Abdin (“Mountain of the and the great land owner have influ- Empire. In the Time of the Kingdom of Adiabene (Arbela or modern tries made a decision about Servants of God “) got the land of ence into the regional public offices, Arbil) Bartella became the centre of Syriac Christianity. Bartella’s popu- Anhel- 108 families between the years 1526- entering into negotiations approx. 80 Christian monasteries rep- the incidents and complaints of the lation is around 10,000 (8,000 in earlier sources), with the majority being 1570. with Turkey entering in the resents one of the central corner- Syriacs were not considered and the Christians. One-third of the population is Catholic and the rest is Village of figs In the 17.century a Special Patriarch and EU. As a result of that deci- stones of the Christianity in the Close processes were consciously retarded. Orthodox. It’s believed that the people of Bartilla accepted Christianity a Maphrian came from Anhel and above sion, we made the following and Middle East. A national obstacle for the applicants before the sixth century, since its name was mentioned by the monk that it was the diocesan town. But in between the valleys interview with Mr. Iskender is the article 87. It says that only Baretta. As was the case with other villages, Bartilla was of the Church of 1821 a Maphrian coming from Anhel the East faith, however, in 610 AD the people of Bartilla accepted Alptekin, Chairman of the Christianity was spread early in Tur Turkish citizens are entitled to pos- was killed by . Also many restorer Monophysitism according to Bishop Marotha of Tikrit, who in 639 was The village Anhel was already popula- European Syriac Union. Abdin. It is known already from the sess land. However the majority of the of historical books and authors came ordained Mapheryan of the East. ted before Christ. During thousands of from this village. Unfortunately, the year 120. In the 4th century the estab- Syriacs are in the meantime European years of history, it played an important Kurds robbed and burned Anhel in 1855 lishment of the first monasteries indi- citizen, which make it impossible to part in the history of the Syriacs in Bartella, like other Syriac towns and villages throughout northern Iraq, under the command of Massur Beg. In What's your opinion cates the deep spiritual life. The them to register their property on their faced attacks, plunder, and massacres throughout its long history. It was Turabdin. the course of this attack also three towards Turkish negotiati- biggest period of bloom experienced names due to this article. The village is named Anhel, because is destroyed at least three times by Kurds and Persians. priests died. ons on joining the EU? the church in the Tur Abdin in the 12th In 1171, the Kurds attacked Bartella and it was in this same year that they situated on a hill and is surrounded by century. Since then the Syriacs were In these case the Member of the valleys. “Anhel” is derived from the attacked Mar Mattay Monastery. In 1261 and 1369 (1373), Kurds attacke The Syriac writer of historical events, The joining of Turkey into the dammed in their development and European Parliament Dr. Charles Mar Mattai Monastery and every time they killed more monks and plun- Aramaic language and means: “Between mentioned many scholars, authors, the valleys”. Nevertheless Anhel was EU includes a democratic pro- existence as a result of the confronta- Tannock was made aware by the dered the monastery. The effect of these attacks reached Bartella as well. patriarchs, catholicos, bishops, kings cess in which we find an utility tion with Islam, the Ottoman dominion European Syriac Union of the growing In 1738, the Persian king sent his army under Nargis Khan to destroy also mentioned in different sources as and prominent men, who came from Bet- Nahle, An- Nahl, Deboraita, for our people, thus we are and the affliction by the Kurds. problems resulted from the work of many villages in Nineveh plain. Anhel. happy for the decision made Turkish Land Registry Department. In 1743, Persian Nadir Shah destroyed additional villages after besieging Anchill, Anhel and Enhil. After the In a history book about Turabdin and a considers itself as a state of one by the EU for joining Turkey. We In the Treaty of Lausanne (1923), the Thereupon Mr. Tannock took the initia- and entering Kirkuk and Arbil. He attacked Bartella, killed many men and foundation of Turkey the original name monastery, called Mar Gabriel, it is said people. From this point of view, of the village was changed into Turkish could see the joining of Turkey cornerstone of the Foundation of mod- tive and asked the European took many young men, girls and women away. that bishop Simon of the Olives (+734) Turkey will face one day the issue In 1756, 1757, and 1758 a great famine swept Bartella and many traveled language. So it was called “Yemishli”, into the EU community as a solu- ern Turkey, in section III., articles 37- Commission if they are aware of this had built a church, called Saint of the Syriac people. Whenever to Kirkuk and other Persian towns to purchase new grain, where they which means “village of figs”. Anhel is tion for the problems of Turkey. 43 of the contract, the republic Turkish official discrimination based Febronia, inside the town Nisibis the human criteria and the cultu- faced plunder and robbing at the hands of Kurds. In 1789, Bartella was famous for its great variety of fig-trees. assures certain rights to “non- Moslem on foreign citizenship which appears (Nusaybin). But when he wanted to We don't want this to be achieved res of the different peoples in the plundered again by Jolu Beg bin Bdagh, the Emir of Shikhan, during his build another church near the first one, quickly, because Turkish area are respected, we can say minorities”, especially to Christian to be violating the articles of the war with the Arab Emir Mohammad bin Hasan al-Taa’i. You can see a lot of other villages of in honour of the martyr Mar Theodoros Government has deficiencies in minorities in groups and as individu- Association Agreement between EU Turabdin if you are in Anhel, because that Turkey has come closer the who had died in Nisibis, the building terms of the human rights and membership for the EU. als. But the Turkish state denied the and Turkey. The Syriacs of Bartella have begun an impressive project to build a huge the village lies on a hill: In the Southeast was destroyed by members of the democracy. Moreover, the questi- Syriacs in their basic rights. you can find the mountains of Izlo and cultural and religious center in town. With the removal of the Ba’ath church in the East. That is why Bishop on of the minorities has a strong Because of political and religious pur- On 2nd of August 2005 the question in the East the mountains of Kardu (also What do you think about the regime and the gradual disappearance of traces of , this cultu- Simon turned to King Georg (Jirjis) of relationship with these those return to the homeland? suits and restrictions there was initial- was answered by Mr. Olli Rehn, the ral center would help our people to learn more about their history, as proud called Cudi). In addition to that also the Anhel and the whole Turabdin. He wan- mountains next to Kfarburan and the defects. ly an inside emigration within the Commissioner for enlargement policy new generations will guide the town to a better future. ted the king to send him worker for the It's true that the situation has region of Near- and Middle East, later of the European Union. In this state- fortress of Mardin, which lie in the construction of the church called Mar The support of the return to the North and West. improved better in the previous homeland is one of our aims. a reinforced emigration to countries of ment it is said: „The Commission is Bartella and its vicinity has six churches and three monasteries: Theodoros. stage. The interior reforms done the western world. The political crises aware of the difficulties encountered - Mar Giwargis Monastery. Was present and vibrant in 1701. Anhel is situated next to the street King Georg belonged to the supporters Nowadays, there are many deve- by the government have removed and the alternate anti-democratic by citizens of Syriac origin as they - The Monastery of the Forty Martyrs. The history of this monastery dates Midyat- Nusaybin, about 12km away of the council of Chalcedon lopments in the situation in from Midyat and 30km away from some borders that hindered the regime were essential thrust factors attempt to register their properties in back to 1269. A part of the monastery is demolished; however, the cong- (Kaldiköy/Istanbul). When Bishop Turkey when compared with that regation continues to visit it. Qamischli in Syria. Furthermore Anhel freedom of speech and religion. for the emigration. In the following Turkey. Many of these difficulties stem Simon came to Anhel, a woman, called of ten years before. At that time, - Mar Youhanna Monastery. Its remains are found on the side of the main is surrounded by villages like Kafro Many formal reforms were done decades the Syriac Christians have from the fact that, as with several Pume (from Hasankeyf), was brought to our people left the homeland. But road north of Bartella. The monastery is ancient and it is hard to pin pint Tahtayto, Barmunus, Kfarshoma him, because her head was bent. The in the constitution, so the EU today the Syriacs have the idea abandoned their villages in the Tur other communities, many Syriacs do (Karschaf), Sat, Daline and other villa- the date of its construction. bishop prayed for her and she was hea- began the talks with Turkey to of going back to the homeland. Abdin region. not possess title deeds for their prop- - Mar Aho Dama Church. The church was built in the memory of bishop ges of the Mhallami (Mhalmoye). It has led in the presence of the king. attain a membership of the EU. erties, thus making them difficult to got a great variety of fruit- trees like for Turkey has also realized that the Aho Dama who was beheaded in 575 by the Sassanid king Khusrau. The The Turkish Government is deve- number of the Syriacs has grown Under the aspect of the chance of join- register and exposing them to possi- church is mentioned in the records of the Church of the East. In 1153, instance pomegranate, figs, mulberries As soon as king Georg saw this miracle, loping its reforms gradually to ing the European Union, Turkey ble confiscation. The Commission and almonds. At the same time, Anhel is slower than before, in addition to Maphiryan Ignatius La’azar built a great temple. In 1933, a piece of stone which was performed by Bishop Simon, reach the criteria of Copenhagen, began with reforms according to the has noted a recent increase in the famous for its vineyards and vine. its interests in becoming a mem- was found within its remains with Syriac inscriptions stating that a certain he also found the right faith and the face but this will take a period of time. ber of the EU; so it encourages Copenhagen membership criteria. number of such confiscations of prop- deacon, Michael, had passed away in February 1386. of the Bishop seemed to be like one of The time of the foundation and the foun- the return of the Syriac people. The former Turkish Prime Minister erty in villages in the south eastern - Mart Shmoni Church. The church is old for sure. It was perhaps built an angel. Immediately he wrote a letter In your opinion, where are the Bülent Ecevit released a decree on province of Mardin. after the destruction of Mar Aho Dama Church. It was renovated in 1807. der of the village are not known. But to all his subordinates, in which he told We haven't got any reports that still there are different findings, which defects in Turkish policy? describe Turkey as an obstacle in the 16.06.2001. In this decree it is Then brought down completely and rebuilt in 1869. The construction them to help the Bishop with the con- What are the procedures said: “The government has guaran- According to information available to included the transfer of a piece that dates back to 1343 from the Assyrian indicate a settlement, which refers dee- struction of the church. Shortly after the way Syriac people's return to Turkey should do? teed that the Syriacs that left their the Commission, the Turkish authori- village of Ba-skhraya. ply into the past. that, 300 workers went with him. Later their homeland. For example, the According to a legend, Christianity was homeland for several reasons and ties are preparing to carry out cadas- - The old Mar Giwargis Church. This church is abandoned today. It is on the King had built a chapel in honour evacuation of the Gavoyto believed that the church was present in 1701. brought into the village by the Saint Mar Democracy has not been achie- found refuge or become resident in tral work in the villages concerned. of Saint Simon of the Olives, which still (known as Sare) village in - The new Mar Giwargis Church. The church ground breaking was in Eschaya of Allepo. ved in Turkey yet! There are still European countries can return to their This should hopefully help reduce exists today. In these days people say Turabdin and giving it back to its 1934 and was completely built and dedicated in 1939. Anhel was often mentioned in religious that the chapel is situated in the house of many deficiencies in terms of the Syriac owners was a positive villages and make use of all legal and instances of the arbitrary confiscation sources. Many manuscripts from the - The Church of the Virgin. The church of the Virgin Mary was comple- Danho Kahya in Anhel. social, commercials and religious step by the Turkish Government. democratic right.” of properties in the region. ted in 1890. However, manuscripts mention the presence of the church of Middle Ages survived the varied history rights. The major problem that Anhil (Yemishli), Ayinvert (Gulgoze), of the region, among them also two When it comes to the case of the Virgin Mary from the fifteenth century. The village also has got a little piece of the Turkish Government faces is another village called Kafro, the Midyat and in other villages and have The Commission will report on the sit- - Al-Sayida Church. The complete demolition of Al-Sayida Church came sacred books from the 9.century. In the the holy cross and 6 relics of the Saints: the traditional view of the state begun with the construction of the uation of non-Muslim religious com- books of the land registry from the Government is doing its best to in 1934 as its bricks were used to build the new Mar Giwargis Church. Georg, Gabriel, Jakob of Edessa, formation in which the ethnic infrastructure. munities in Turkey, including the 16.century, Anhel was listed among the help those who want to turn back Abraham of Kaschkar and Abay. During the registration of the estates Syriac community, in its forthcoming rich and Christian settlements. The num- minorities have no place. From to it. It is worth mentioning that there is one mosque in the town for the small ber of inhabitants increased from 68 to the time of its foundation, Turkey and properties lately in many villages Regular Report for 2005.” Arab Moslem population.