RONÎDA HACÎ

Hasakah- The interim Syrian government’s Minister of Culture said in her latest statement that the Syriac language “is an ancient dialect of Arabic”, claiming that the origin of the name “Syria” has not a scientific or historical basis.

The statement of the minister does not reflect reality, said Xatûn İsa, member of the Syriac Union Party, accusing the minister of trying to distort history.

‘The Syriac language is an ancient and deeply rooted language’

“This statement does not reflect the reality, ignoring the history and culture of Syriac, Assyrian people,” Xatûn İsa emphasized. “The statement is unacceptable. The Syriac language is one of the most ancient and deeply rooted languages, having thousand- year documents.”

‘We want a Syria respecting cultural, religious and historical diversities’

Xatûn İsa also criticized the minister about the origin of the name “Syria”.

“Every name has a history and a truth. The name Syria has also a deep historical root. It is derived from an ancient Greek name. Therefore, spreading false information about the origin of Syria means not recognizing different identities in the region and ignoring the identity and culture of the ancient people of this region. We call on the minister not to spread false information. We want to live in a Syria respecting cultural, religious and historical diversities.”

‘The mistakes made by the Baathist regime should not be repeated’

Xatûn İsa also called on the interim government of Syria not to “repeat the mistakes made by the Baathist regime”. “The statement by the minister is a continuation of the genocidal policy of 1915. In 1915, thousands of Syriacs and Armenians were killed.”

 Xatûn İsa recalled the Seyfo and Simele massacre committed by the Ottoman Empire against Syriac people and said Syria’s interim government “wants to continue the policy of genocide and massacre. We strongly condemn the attempts aiming to ignore ethnic groups in Syria. The system of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria protects the rights of different identities. Our language and identity must be protected by the Syrian Constitution.”