Bakhdida Fire
19 March, 2024
Iwan WALTERS (Greenvale) (16:35): Next week marks six months since a devastating fire killed so many innocent victims at a wedding celebration in the Iraqi town of Bakhdida. Many of those killed and injured had loved ones living in Greenvale, and the grief associated with this tragedy has been felt acutely here in Victoria. I was grateful to join leaders from the Syriac community last weekend to commemorate the lives that were lost in Bakhdida. Having established new lives in Australia, I am in awe of the extraordinary contribution of Syriacs, Chaldeans and Assyrians to our local community. I thank those like Father Fadhel who are ensuring the memory of those lives lost at Bakhdida is never forgotten, and I share their commitment to seeking justice for the victims.