Iraq’s Christians commemorate 78th anniversary of massacre against them

BAGHDAD / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Christians, including Chaldo-Sirians and Assyrians, have commemorated on Sunday the 78th anniversary of the so-called Summail
Massacre, carried out during the government of Rashid Aali al-Gailany’s government in the Royalist regime that ruled Iraq from 1921 to 1958.

“The Christian Chaldo-Sirians and Assyrians are commemorating today (Sunday) the 78th anniversary of the Summail Massacre, stemming from their appreciation of their nationalism and patriotism,” the Christian Legislature, Khalis Isho’a told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

Isho’a also said that “Iraqi Christians are demanding to site the said painful massacre in the Iraqi Constitution’s text, similar to other massacres, committed against the people of Iraq.”

The Summail Massacre took place in northern Iraq, through organized genoside operations during the regime of Prime Minister Rashid Aali al-Gailany, that was escalated between 8-11 August, 1933 in 63 villages of Mosul Province, that comprised the current Provinces of Dohuk and Mosul at that time, leading to the killing of large numbers of Christians.

“The Chaldo-Sirian-Assyrian people remember today (Sunday) the massacres of Summail, stemming from their appreciation of their nationality, for which they fought to achieve since 1915 massacres, along with the Summail Massacre of 1933 in 63 villages of Mosul Province and the massacres of 1969, along with the so-called Anfal Massacres, carried out against Kurds and Christians, until the current date, during which those people are still suffering,” Isho’a said.

He called “for finding out a real solution to stop such bloodsheds (against Christians) and to add the said painful massacres in the text of the Iraqi Constitution, having been carried out against a peaceful people, in a savage way.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Chaldo-Assyrian Students & Youth Federation, Caldo Ramzi, told Aswat al-Iraq that “the said commemoration represents a symbol for the struggle of that people for a pride life, being an advance of sacrifice to gain their nationalistic and patriotic rights,” burdening “the large political blocs in Iraq, without exception, for the sufferings of the Chaldo-Sirian and Assyrian) Christians during the past few years, along with the policy of their intensive marginalization, despite their high scientific and academic potentials.”

Ramzi said that “three festivals are being held now in Dohuk, Baghdad and Ainkawa township in Arbil on the said occasion, including theatrical shows, poems and songs, as well as different artistic activities,” pointing out that the activities have been organized by “the Chaldo-Sirian-Assyrian organizations and a number of Social Community organizations in Iraq.

SKH (FT)

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