ZEYNEB ÎSA

 Dêrik (Al-Malikiyah)- Dêrik, a city in northeastern Syria, is inhabited by Kurds, Syriacs, Arabs and Armenians. The city offers a peaceful life with its calm nature, clean air, mountains and valleys and cultural diversity.

Despite all the challenges, the city has become one of the symbols of peace in the region controlled by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The coexistence of different ethnic communities in the city reinforces strong solidarity and mutual respect among people.

The Vîtariya Commune built by Kurds, Syriacs, Arabs and Armenians in the city aims to strengthen solidarity among different ethnic identities in the city.

“Every ethnic group in the city is known for its own culture and language,” said Ayşa Ubêd, a Kurdish woman living in Dêrik. “The Kurdish, Syriac, Arab and Armenians have lived together in the city for years. When the revolution started in Rojava led by women, we began to play our active role in our society. The Autonomous Administration strengthened social relations without discrimination. The people in Dêrik have built peace in solidarity with each other.”

‘We celebrate each other’s holidays’

Vîtariya Commune is a neighborhood of Dêrik inhabited by Kurds, Syriacs, Arabs and Armenians. “The Vitariya Commune is mostly inhabited by Syriac people. As the Kurdish people, we respect them. We celebrate each other’s holidays and visit each other. They also celebrate the holidays of Muslims. During the rule of the Baathist regime, we faced discrimination; however, the Kurdish, Syriac, Arab and Armenian people built a strong relationship after the revolution in Rojava.”

‘We live together in Dêrik’

“Life is beautiful in Dêrik,” Corcêt Gorgîs, a Syriac woman living in Dêrik, told NuJINHA. “People from different ethnic groups live together in the city. As the Syriac people, we used to work with the Kurdish people, especially in the agriculture sector. Since the revolution in Rojava, solidarity among people has become stronger.”

Speaking about the Vîtariya Commune in Dêrik, Corcêt Gorgîs said, “The Syriac, Kurdish, Arab and Armenian people live together in the commune. Everyone respects each other. During our holidays, our Kurdish, Arab and Armenian neighbors visit us to celebrate our holidays with us. We also visit them during their holidays. There are about 200 houses in our neighborhood. The commune has various committees such as health, education and security committees. Each committee makes great efforts to fulfil its responsibilities. We will keep working to build a democratic and peaceful life and fraternity among people.”