Bring Light to the Levant Fundraising Event

We will come together to bring light and hope to the Alawite people of Syria. “Light for Syrian Levant” is a humanitarian benefit evening supported by a coalition of organizations and communities united in compassion and solidarity wit victims of ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, famine and illness in Syria.
 

The event will raise funds to support humanitarian relief, reconstruction, and social recovery for Syrian Alawite children and families for the benefit of joint organization and establishment of IDHRV-ARMIL and the registration of the Syrian chapter of the iNGO Blue Cross & Blue Crescent. 

The event is organized by:

· Arab Alawite Coordination Group Netherlands and the main sponsor is:

IDHRV – ARMIL (International Documentation for Human Rights Violations against religious minorities in the Levant) (www.idhrv.org)
 

With the support of: 

·  AHRS – Association for Human Rights in Syria, Germany

· Arabic Alawite foundations in the Netherlands

· Alawite Syrians Community in the Netherlands

· Federation of Alevi Unions in the Netherlands

· Together, these organizations stand for peace, inclusion, and justice in Syria, working across borders and borders to restore dignity and hope for Syrian Alawites, Druze and Christians in Syria.

Organizing committee: Jens Kreinath, Meltem Halaceli, Karim Abd Din, Salma Abd Din, Heysem Kaya, Sanaa Steenbeek, 

• Date: preferred date Sunday, December 7th, 2025
• Time: 14:00 – 17:00 uur
• Venue: Ru Paré Community Center, Amsterdam (not yet confirmed)
• Livestream: Available for international speakers

• Translation simultaneously/ powerpoint 

• Host is Meltem Halaceli

There will be a Bake-sale throughout the event of which the revenues will go to the humanitarian projects linked to the supporting partners.

Part I: Build up historical ethnic cleansing episodes of all religious minority communities in Syria and the Levant

Part II: artistic, music and cultural expressions 

Part III: awareness Blue Cross’ activities, institutions and fundraising

Part IV: commemoration victims 

14:05 – 14:35  interview Salim Tas & Jens Kreinath moderated by Meltem Halaceli Interview with Salim Tas and Jens Kreinath about mission and vision Blue Cross & Blue Crescent (Turkish translation into English) and the status of the investigations, lobby by Jens Kreinath (IDHRV ARMIL) (English and translation into Dutch) with Q&A with the audience

14:35 – 15:05 statements by Peace- and humanrightsadvocates and influencers 

From Alawite and Druze communities Ewa Dwagy, Karim Abd-Din, 

Followed by Statements and solidarity from Community representatives of historical ethnic cleansings from (Wahab Hassoo (yezidi) & Aziz Beth Aho (Aramaic) 

 15:05  – 15:35 – part II: Cultural Interlude: “Levantine wind” 

Live music, mawwāl, poetry, and storytelling from Alawite and Druze talents and artists and other supporting artists — celebrating resilience and shared humanity.

Potential artists:  poems/witness accounts read by Meltem Halaceli, Meral Polat singer, actress, songwriter/ Rajaa Ali – Mawāl/ Goksel Yilmaz – Fayruz songs

15:35 – 16:35 – Benefit Dinner & Auction Paintings & Bake-sale

Guests enjoy Levantine-inspired dishes, cookies and desserts prepared by community representatives. During dinner, a live donation appeal will be done and the start of the auction of paintings and sale of handmade jewelry, Bake-sale will be announced 

16:35 – 16:55 – Commemoration: “Light for Syrian Levant” with buhur

A symbolic lighting of candles to honor victims of ethnic cleansing and to express solidarity with those still rebuilding their lives and coping with loss and grief by community representatives. 

16:55- 17:00 – Closing Words & Thanks by host

Final remarks by the organizing committee and announcement of funds raised. And thanks to all sponsors!

The goal of “Light for Syria” is to unite compassion with concrete action. Funds raised will support:
• Medical and psychological assistance for displaced families
• Reconstruction of schools and shelters
• Food and hygiene support in affected regions
• Community rebuilding and peace initiatives
 

Expected impact:

• Raise at least 5000 dollar for the €21,000 needed for the establishment of NGO Blue Cross & Blue Crescent in Syria.The Blue Cross & Blue Cross Movement is already an existent iNGO, consisting of 9 teams with about 500 volunteers in Syria. This fundraising is aiming to support registration of the Syrian Chapter according to local laws. 

• Strengthen collaboration between Syrian, European and Turkish humanitarian networks (Mediterranean Alawites foundations in EU and Turkiye, Federation of Turkish Alevi Unions in Netherlands, Aramaic Human Rights movement HRO)
• Promote dialogue, unity, and long-term solidarity

• Ticket sales and direct donations during the event through our PayPal account

· Live contributions during the buhur commemoration
• Donor recognition after the event and by plaquettes by Blue Cross & Blue Crescent 

“Light for Syria” is more than a benefit event — it is a night of remembrance, resilience, and renewal. In december at Ru Paré in Amsterdam, we will gather as one community, standing together in the spirit of humanity, to bring light to those still living in the shadows of violence and conflict.