Early in the morning, representatives of the Syriac-Aramean Youth Federation of Sweden (SAUF) of Södertälje’s woke up to phone calls from the rescue service that alerted them that there was a fire in the federations office. A fire that, according to the police, seems to be classified as arson.
The office of SAUF in Södertälje acts as the hub for all activities and projects of the federation and is in the same building as other Aramean (also known as Syriac) organisations and partners. Many young people from all over the country have spent time working there over the years and all the records and documentations for all the local organisations since its founding in 1992 has always been in the shelves. With a ladder outside the window of the office, it is an extensively damaged space that is unrecognizable.
Södertälje’s rescue service called the representatives of the federation early in the morning to alert them that a major fire was extinguished and that SAUF’s office was the area of the building targeted. The police made it clear that all evidence points towards arson being committed.
SAUF:s chairman Jonathan Varli had the following to say to Bahro Suryoyo about the event:
– There has been incredible number of hours of voluntary work from young people over many years in this office, that somebody for some reason wanted to see burn. It is a workplace for our staff and the headquarters for the Aramean youth in Sweden. This is extremely regrettable, but I want to emphasize that we will continue to work for what we believe in and stand up for what is right. That is something a fire or other threats can prevent.
– Det ligger ofantligt många timmars ideellt slit från ungdomar över flera års tid i det kontoret som någon av någon anledning ville bränna upp. Det är en arbetsplats för vår personal och huvudkvarter för alla syrianska (arameiska) ungdomar i landet. Det är med det sagt oerhört beklagligt, men jag vill poängtera att vi kommer att fortsätta att arbeta för det vi tror på och stå upp för vad som är rätt. Det kan varken en brand eller andra hot hindra.