My trip to Iraq – City of Dohuk, March –April 2010

By Shoushan Tower

It was late in the afternoon when the plane left Syria heading towards Erbil Iraq in March 2010 I started to really get excited, knowing that within next hour or so I would be touching my ancestral home and the home where I was born.  This thought was so overwhelming it brought tears to my eyes.  My journey to Iraq was always in my plan, including a need to visit Assyrian Aid Society Iraq. I deeply wished to see Iraq for the first time after living in Sydney Australia for over 43 years; I also wanted to be part of Assyrian New Year festive (Akito) which is held in Dohuk every year. A special time that attracts large local crowds and visitors around the country and from overseas.

It was late at night when we finally arrived in Dohuk.  The next morning we (my mother & I) gazed out the windows of our motel room and saw in the not so far distance, strings of mountains across Dohuk city and we were overwhelmed by the beauty of the grand view. 

 To my surprise a scheduled tour program was organized by Assyrian Aid Society – Iraq.  Included in this tour were AAS-America treasurer Sargon Shabas and director Mona Malik. The tour started with a visit to Khanas a historical Assyrian Site which is regarded as natural museum showcasing sculptures can be seen at very high locations on the mountains. At this site there were a very large sculpture of the winged bull laying their half immersed in the river; sadly no one has preserve  this 3,000 year Assyrian ruin. 

The following day had us meeting with board members of Assyrian Aid Society-Iraq at the headquarters of the Chaldo Assyrian Youths and Students Union within the AAS-Iraq premises.  This meeting took up most of the day as there were many items discussed and followed through.  The evening saw us, meeting with members of Assyrian Cultural Centre on their compound which comprises of offices, library very large all located on a very large block.

 We preceded this with a visit to the dormitories which are within the premises of AAS-Iraq headquarters. The dormitories consist of two large double storey side by side buildings, one to house  the female students the other  male students. Within these buildings are several student  accommodation rooms, bathrooms  and large communal kitchen  and small backyard.

Our tour included to several villages including Sarsink and Arraden. Our visit to Sarsink Assyrian School enables us to meet with the principal and teachers and had many opportunities to meet and take photos of students in the class rooms which showcase the work of Assyrian Aid Society.  We also had the opportunity to visit the Sarsink Pharmacy which is also supported by AAS-Iraq.

 This tour was magnificent, especially driving through the lush green high mountains with breathtaking close and distant view, a drive which also took us to very old church dated from 4th Century 313AD.     

The tour program included a list of Assyrian schools all of which are supported by Assyrian Aid Society - Iraq. 

The first school the tour stopped at Akad high School approximately 320 students’ class range from 1-9 year.  Followed by Nissibin high school established since November 1998 approximately 212 students class range from 10-12 years.  Then to Nohadra primary school one of the first schools established 1992 approximate number of students 365.  Student s that graduated from Nohadra  primary  school are considered of the highest achievers in Dohuk. 

The next day the tour stopped at Bakhatma primary school which is situated in Bakahtma village with approximately 46 students, the village has 150 houses. Then onto Shorash Primary School, established in 2001, class range 1-6 years.  This school is shared with Kurdish students as they alternate the morning and afternoon class.  The headmaster of Shorash primary school is an Assyrian female.  And finally, Shamous Secondary school established 2004 present number of students 70.

Some statistics collected from the visit to the Assyrian schools.

·         Majority of the schools, subjects are taught in the Assyrian language including mathematics, science, chemistry and biology.

·         Some students who have graduated from the Assyrian school have had the opportunity to become teachers at the Assyrian schools. 

 

 

 AKITO (Assyrian New Year 6760)

We had the pleasure of joining a two mile walk with over 50,000 Assyrian men women and children who marched  through the streets of Dohuk chanting songs of Akito and Zowaa, adding to the colourful festival were  banners, hundreds of Assyrian flags all of which was show stopper for every Kurd watching on from the side streets.  There were camera men on buildings, police cars to stop the traffic and road closures through the city as the day was declared a public holiday. The march started from the Zowaa headquarters and was lead by Assyrian prominent people, Assyrian scouts and was followed by the large jubilant crowd.  The crowd gathered in large enclosed area, where a program had been organized. The first main speaker among them was Mr. Yonadam Kanna followed by other Prominent Assyrians and finally the music and dancing began with Aushor Sargis from America entertaining the crowd. Aushor’s performance followed by other various singers from around the world including our very own and famous Wilson Esha and Karmel Joudo.