Iraq’s Christians Key to Iraq’s Past, Future
ICC Note:
Before the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, there were roughly 1.4 million Christians in the country. Today, only 450,000 remain. According to the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization in Iraq, 900 Christians were killed and 200 were kidnapped between 2003 to May 2012. Yet, we sometimes forget that Christianity has been an integral part of Iraq’s past and we pray that it will rise above persecution to become of the hope of Iraq’s future. “As a Christian, a part of my faith—a very sensitive part—is hope,” an Iraqi pastor who survived two bomb attacks on his congregation in 2011, recently told ICC. “If we don’t have hope in our Christianity then whatever we preach, whatever we teach, is nothing. The church here in this land has faced many troubles, many hard times, but survived. And, it still exists. And, I believe it will exist until Jesus returns back.”
By Nassif al-Jabouri
11/6/2012 Iraq (AL-Monitor)- Everyone knows that Iraqi Christians, along with other groups, make up the essence and roots of Iraq that extend deep into history. They established this country, lived in it and enjoyed its wealth. They witnessed both good times and hardships since the devastating eras until the United States occupation in 2003.
…
According to 2005 statistics, Christians comprise about 2% of the total population of Iraq, which amounts to 33 million. For a long time, they have been residing in major cities, such as Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Kirkuk, Irbil, Al-Halla, and others.
The tragedies of Iraqi Muslims and Christians started to further unfold in 2003 with the arrival of the US invasion army that destroyed the structural system of the nation. It created a new regime that it would never desire for itself, characterized by political, economic and military systems from the Middle Ages, present amid a system of rule dominated by the influence of sects and ethnicities.
…
Obviously, churches, as well as mosques and Hussainiyat [Shiite funeral homes] were targeted by the arbitrary terrorist operations that did not discriminate between religions, or between innocent and guilty individuals. The Christian community could not exercise their religious rituals that are accepted in principle by the Holy Quran and the followers of Prophet Mohammad, peace and prayers be upon him.
As a result, many churches closed their doors to the public and only a few remained; those that did resembled military bases due to the tight security amid threats of acts of terrorism.
Fear became the dominant force in society, which united Christians and their Muslim brothers. Unfortunately, local media outlets along with the politicians increased tensions in society.
On the other hand, the militias, some parties and the organized criminal gangs were concerned with collecting illegal money. They were kidnapping, killing or imprisoning individuals and then blackmailing the families of victims to pay thousands of dollars in return — regardless of the identity of the persons. Christians paid the price dearly due to this dirty business.
Gangs and those affiliated with them were widely targeting the Christian community, for it did not have a militia or an army defending it and solely relied on the government to protect it, at a time when the government was incapable of even protecting itself.
…
From a political point of view, it is important for those who have a vision for Iraq to realize that Christians cannot be considered minorities, especially since these are people who love this country and would do anything to defend it. Political majority and minority have nothing to do with religion, sect, ethnicity or gender.
This is because politics is established and led by civil parties united or divided due to a certain political, economic and social programs, and then are chosen by the people to be in the majority or the minority with disregard to gender or sect — namely Shiite, Sunni, Christian, Sabean — or ethnicity — namely Arab, Kurd and Turkmen.
In conclusion, history showed that a group of Iraqi Muslim leaders heading secular and Islamist parties have been paving the way for the US occupiers since the 1990s to invade their country and then stood behind their tanks. Also, history showed us that there is not a single Christian leader who collaborated with the US occupiers or aided them in their criminal mission to tear down the country.
[Full Story]