http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/iraqichristians/ en-us Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:48:53 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2155243/posts Iraq Christians face 'bleak future' Story Highlights: · Iraq's Christians face killings, intimidation; many have fled to other countries · Community has decreased from 1.4 million in 2003 to half that · One expert sees diversity decreasing, fears Muslim extremist majority in Iraq · Christians in Iraq face "horrible situation," says U.S. congresswoman By Joe Sterling CNN (CNN) -- It's a bittersweet Christmas season for Joseph Kassab, who grew up in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's Baathist regime and now lives in Detroit, Michigan. Tempering the season's joy is his concern for fellow Iraqi Christians, who have endured killings, displacement and... cnn http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2155243/posts#comment Sun, 28 Dec 2008 17:48:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154161/posts partial...BAGHDAD – Iraq's Christians, a scant minority in this overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time. A senior Shiite cleric, Ammar al-Hakim, attended the Mass flanked by bodyguards in a gesture of cooperation with Christians. "I thank the visitors here and ask them to share happiness and love with their brothers on Christmas; by this they will build a glorious Iraq," the cardinal said. Yahoo / AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154161/posts#comment Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:48:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154198/posts In his homily on Thursday, Chaldean Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly praised the establishment of Christmas as an official holiday as a step toward easing tensions. "I thank the government for giving chances to all to serve each other for the general benefit, and I thank it too for making this day an official holiday where we pray to God to make us trust each other as brothers," he said at the Christmas Mass before several dozen worshippers in the small chapel of a Baghdad monastery....A senior Shiite cleric, Ammar al-Hakim, attended the Mass flanked by bodyguards in a gesture of... AP VIA CBN.COM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154198/posts#comment Thu, 25 Dec 2008 17:18:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154221/posts BAGHDAD — Iraq's Christians, a small minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time. But security worries overshadowed the day for many, particularly in the north where thousands of Christians have fled to escape religious attacks. Overall security in Iraq has improved markedly in the past year, but a fatal car bombing in Baghdad on Christmas morning was a gruesome reminder that serious problems remain. The bombing outside a restaurant frequented by police killed four people and wounded 25 others in... FOX NEWS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154221/posts#comment Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:57:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134030/posts (AINA) -- A Christian bishop received a threatening letter written by Ansar al-Islam, a Kurdish Muslim group affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq. The letter ordered the Christians to leave Iraq en masse and stated it is sending a final warning to Christians in Baghdad and other Iraqi governorates to leave Iraq permanently. AINA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134030/posts#comment Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:08:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133084/posts ISTANBUL, November 14 (Compass Direct News) – In this Turkish city’s working-class neighborhood of Kurtulus, Arabic can be heard on the streets, signs are printed in the Arabic alphabet and Iraqis congregate in tea shops. In 99-percent Muslim Turkey, most of these Iraqis are not Muslims. And they are not in Turkey by choice. They are Christian refugees who fled their homeland to escape the murderous violence that increasingly has been directed at them. It is hard to tell how many of Mosul’s refugees from the recent wave of attacks have made their way to Istanbul, but finding these residents... Compass Direct News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133084/posts#comment Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:26:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2131218/posts Two Christian sisters were shot dead and their mother stabbed by a Muslim mob just one day after it was reported that Iraqi Christians were returning to their homes in Mosul after fleeing Muslim persecution about one month ago. Islam in Action http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2131218/posts#comment Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:29:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2130853/posts MOSUL (Reuters) -- Gunmen have killed two Christian sisters and wounded their mother in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, which has seen thousands of Christians flee their homes because of violence in recent weeks, police said. Some 2,000 families, an estimated 12,000 people, fled Mosul after a campaign of threats and attacks against the Christian community last month, although many have since returned home, the United Nations refugee agency says. In the latest incident, gunmen killed one woman outside her home, then stormed the house, killing her sister and wounding their mother. RFE/RL http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2130853/posts#comment Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:19:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2127834/posts MOSUL, Iraq—Odisho Yousif's job every two weeks or so was to take money raised on behalf of church families, people victimized by violence, kidnapping, or persecution mostly in Baghdad, and deliver it to them or their church. Almost since the war began, Iraqis living in the United States and elsewhere in the diaspora, as well as Iraqis with secure livelihoods in the north, became a kind of life support system. When a family lost its grocery store due to a bombing, or a relative had to raise ransom after a kidnapping, the support system kicked in. Yousif, 61, a lay... World Mag http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2127834/posts#comment Fri, 7 Nov 2008 14:48:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2121629/posts In Iraq, the persecution of Christians continues, as murders and a mass exodus contradict Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's promise of security for everyone. Churches are trying to help the refugees, and some may come to Germany -- if the government settles on a plan. The long trip from Mosul to Baghdad traverses a bombed highway along the Tigris River, through a wasteland in central Iraq left behind by five years of war. For Rami Kamil, 43, his wife and their children, the journey was an escape from the growing prospect of being murdered in Mosul. Last Tuesday, at 6 a.m.,... Spiegel Online international http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2121629/posts#comment Sat, 1 Nov 2008 13:40:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2118587/posts Urged by the appeal of Benedict XVI, Rabban Al Qas, bishop of Ammadiya and Erbil, asks prime minister al Maliki and the American forces to accept responsibility for the violence afflicting Christians, the result of an intolerant fundamentalism that has never been halted. A request to the Islamic world as well, that it condemn what is taking place in Mosul. Tomorrow in Erbil, a meeting of Chaldean bishops and of the Vatican nuncio. Erbil (AsiaNews) - The situation in Mosul (in northern Iraq) remains incendiary. In just a few weeks, there have been 14 deaths and more than 10,000 Christians... Asia News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2118587/posts#comment Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:35:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2116917/posts One grey-haired woman understands more than most the fear that has gripped Iraq's beleaguered Christian community over the past month. Her brother, Bashar al-Hazim, was among the first to be murdered in a wave of targeted killings that has forced more than 2,000 Christian families to flee the northern city of Mosul. Masked gunmen walked up to Mr Hashim as he stood with his two children outside their house in the east-side of Mosul in late September. They demanded to see his identity card, confirmed he was Christian and executed the 41-year-old on the spot. "I could have died when... Times Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2116917/posts#comment Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:00:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107688/posts Thousands of Christians have fled Iraq's second-largest city after a dozen people were murdered in the worst week of violence against the faithful since the US-led invasion. Around 4,000 Christians have escaped Mosul in northern Iraq to neighbouring villages, creating a potential humanitarian nightmare as winter approaches. Many left without any possessions after receiving written threats, and militants blew up at least three Christian homes after chasing out the owners. The Iraqi government has sent 2,500 additional police to the city to protect churches. The refugees now face a bleak winter without any food or shelter in what aid workers... Catholic Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107688/posts#comment Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:24:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107555/posts Who is behind the attacks on Christians in Mosul? The Iraqi government says it does not believe that this is al Qaeda, while media sources note that most of the people struck lived in the area controlled by Kurdish militias. The Kurdish regional government denounces the "malign efforts" of those who want to "conceal the truly guilty," denounced as "religious fanatics," and "orders" all ministers to help those who have been struck. The exchange of accusations over responsibility for the attacks against Christians in Mosul seems to confirm the at least predominantly political nature of what is taking place in... Asia News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107555/posts#comment Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:04:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2106415/posts At least 1,300 Christian families have fled the Iraqi city of Mosul after an upsurge of violence against them by Muslim extremists, the authorities say. Thousands of people have sought refuge in outlying villages since last week after a dozen Christians were murdered, said local official Jawdat Ismail. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has vowed to protect the community. About a third of Iraq's estimated 800,000 Christians are believed to have fled abroad since the invasion of 2003. Mr Ismail, head of Mosul's bureau of displaced people, said food and other aid is being distributed to those who have recently... bbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2106415/posts#comment Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:31:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2105917/posts BAGHDAD — A church in the northern city of Mosul was bombed Tuesday as Christians continued to leave the city to escape recent violence that has been directed at them. Several church leaders accused the Iraqi government of trying to cover up the extent of the problems facing Christians there and of overstating its success in improving security in Mosul, one of the country’s most volatile cities. As the government announced plans on Tuesday to send officials to Mosul to assist the Christian community, the anti-American Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr, who is believed to be in Iran, sent some of... NYT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2105917/posts#comment Wed, 15 Oct 2008 05:54:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2103537/posts Several months ago I reported that Iraq was turning into the Islamic Republic of Iraq . As Christianity is clearly under attack there. Today a new report comes out showing that the situation for Iraqi Christians has gotten even worse. They have been told to convert, pay jizyah or die. We have let the Islamic genie out of the bottle in Iraq. Islam in Action http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2103537/posts#comment Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:09:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103594/posts BAGHDAD — Hundreds of terrified Christian families have fled Mosul to escape extremist attacks that have increased despite months of U.S. and Iraqi military operations to secure the northern Iraqi city, political and religious officials said Saturday. Some 3,000 Christians have fled the city over the past week alone in a "major displacement," said Duraid Mohammed Kashmoula, the governor of northern Iraq's Ninevah province. He said most have left for churches, monasteries and the homes of relatives in nearby Christian villages and towns. "The Christians were subjected to abduction attempts and paid ransom, but now they are subjected to a... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103594/posts#comment Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:34:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103456/posts BAGHDAD — Christians in Mosul are fleeing their homes after a spate of killings this week that left 12 Christians dead in one of the largest Christian communities in Iraq . The killings follow large protests by the community last month against the passage of the provincial elections law. An article that would give representation to Christians and other minorities was removed from the law before its passage. Now the last safe haven for Christians is gone, said Canon Andrew White the vicar of St. George's church in Baghdad . After a spree of killings and forced evictions of Iraqi... Yahoo News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2103456/posts#comment Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:57:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2100579/posts CWN.org - Iraqi Christians are protesting the parliament's decision to stop seating minorities on the country's 18 provincial councils. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki sent a letter to lawmakers appealing to them to restore the quota system for all minorities. Hundreds of Christians protested in the streets following church services Sunday. Militants have targeted Christians since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The violence has forced many Christians to flee the country. Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International told CBN News that parliament's action will probably cause more to leave. "It sends a clear message that really we don't want you here,"... CBN News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2100579/posts#comment Wed, 8 Oct 2008 17:10:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2098730/posts I can’t let this one go by. Welcome to the future if we let Islamic fundamentalists/extremists win the War on Terror. ... Mosul (AsiaNews) - A new attack against the Christians in Mosul: yesterday afternoon, an armed group assassinated Hazim Thomaso Youssif, age 40.The ambush took place in front of his clothing store in Bab Sarray; it is not yet known who ordered the killing, but it is suspected that it is the work of Islamic fundamentalists, in a city that has long been the theater of deadly attacks on the Christian community. Asia News, Weasel Zippers http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2098730/posts#comment Mon, 6 Oct 2008 16:21:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2073559/posts 09/02/2008 17:26IRAQFresh violence in Mosul, two Christians kidnapped and killedThe kidnapping of two Christians has ended in tragedy, after the family of one paid a ransom of 20,000 dollars. The community of Mosul hopes that the Muslims will strongly condemn the murders. Mosul (AsiaNews) - The Iraqi Christian community is again in the sights of Islamic fundamentalists in Mosul: today news came of the death of a 65-year-old doctor, Tariq Qattan, kidnapped recently by a terrorist group. AsiaNews sources say that his family had paid a ransom of 20,000 U.S. dollars. But it was not enough money to free Tariq... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2073559/posts#comment Wed, 3 Sep 2008 06:41:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2064476/posts Washington DC, Aug 19, 2008 / 05:00 am (CNA).- Next month, InsideCatholic.com will honor Cardinal Mar Emmanuel III Delly, Archbishop of Baghdad and recognize the struggle of Iraqi Christians at its 13th Annual Partnership Dinner.According to InsideCatholic.com, each year, “the Partnership Award is presented to a distinguished Catholic leader who has shown courage and dedication to his or her life and work.”  Past recipients have included: Archbishop Charles Chaput, Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Admiral Jeremiah Denton, Tom Monaghan, Dr. Robby George, Henry Hyde, Fr. Thomas Williams, LC, and Eduardo Verastegui.This year’s ceremony, which will take place on September 19 at the... CNA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2064476/posts#comment Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:29:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052562/posts Iraq's Christians have taken up arms and formed new militias in a desperate effort to defend their beleaguered communities from an onslaught by Islamic extremists. link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/2463208/Iraqs-Christians-form-new-militias-to-combat-Islamic-extremists.html tekegraphUK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052562/posts#comment Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:31:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052217/posts Iraq's Christians have taken up arms and formed new militias in a desperate effort to defend their beleaguered communities from an onslaught by Islamic extremists. In the five years since the Anglo-American invasion of 2003, murders and abductions have driven about half of the 800,000 Christians who once lived in Iraq to flee the country. Checkpoints manned by civilians armed with heavy machine guns and assault rifles have received official backing in Christian villages on the Ninevah plain in northern Iraq, where their presence dates back to the missions of St Thomas the apostle. Father Yusuf Yohannes combines the duties... Telegraph.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052217/posts#comment Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:30:17 GMT