The Assyrian Democratic Organization
Nearly 500 avid Assyrians (Suryoye) attend a Seyfo lecture on Sunday the 20th of February 2005 at the St. Kuryakos Church in Enschede, the Netherlands. This historical lecture was an initiative of St. Kuryakos Church committee.
The honorary guest speakers were: His Eminence Mor Yulius Y. ?i?ek, Archbishop of Central Europe and Mr. Sabri Atman, a renowned Seyfo scholar.
The lecture commenced with H.E. Mor Yulius Y. ?i?ek addressing the sheer suffering of our people since the advent of Islam. He linked our current suffering and our Diaspora with the massacres of 1895 and the genocide of 1915. He reiterated that Germany and Austria were also liable for the genocide of the Assyrians, Armenians and Greeks hence they must rise to the occasion and advocate the recognition of Seyfo.
H.E. Mor Yulius Y. ?i?ek said that most of us get our information from the melancholy tales of our elders but he emphatically expressed the need to scholarly and academically elevate the issue of Seyfo. He said that the monastery of St. Ephrem in Holland has published numerous books on this subject, and he encouraged the audience to read them. He concluded his speech with the following comments prior to introducing Mr. Atman to the fore: ?I am very pleased with Mr. Sabri Atman for his work concerning the Seyfo?.
Mr. Atman asked all those present to stand a minute of silence to commemorate the souls of all the Assyrian, Armenian and Greek victims of the genocide. It felt as if a dark cloud of a consciously suppressed collective memory covered over the people as the rooms fell to an utter silence.
Mr. Atman broke then started analysing the meaning of genocide and mentioning the sources available on the genocide of the Assyrian, Armenians and the Greeks. He also reiterated that Turks and Kurds should not be perceived as the sole perpetuators of the genocide, Germany, Austria and Hungary also share the responsibility on the horrific crimes which over 750.000 Assyrians (Suryoye), 2 million Armenians, 200.000 Greeks fell victims to. Mr. Atman?s lecture was oriented on the following points:
? The role of Islam, Kurds and Germany.
? The role of the international community, which continues to over look this horrendous crime.
? Why the Armenian genocide is sited more than that of the Assyrians (Suryoye).
? Turkey?s continuous denial of the genocide.
? Why Turkey must recognize Seyfo.
To commemorate the 90th memorial of the genocide, Assyrians organisations from around the globe are organising worldwide activities, and Mr. Atman ended his speech with an invitation for H.E. Mor Yulius Y. ?i?ek to participate in one of these demonstrations which will be held in Brussels next month. His H.E. Mor Yulius Y. ?i?ek confirmed his acceptance and promised to support all the activities for the Seyfo.
?It is just not enough to talk about the importance of Seyfo… it is now time to act on it. We must fulfil our duties as Assyrians and participate in coming activities about Seyfo for recognizing the Assyrian Genocide?, says Mr. Atman.
Webteam of Bethnahrin.nl
