Translated by Baghdadhope
The University of Fribourg is interested in the plight of the Iraqi people and in recent years several activities were carried out for this purpose. A symposium on the situation of women and children of Iraq was held in November 2006. A document signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Prof. Max Küchler and by the Rector of the University of Fribourg, Prof. Guido Vergauwen, was sent to the Holy See on August 10, 2007. Another letter in support of the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq, was signed by a committee of several representatives and addressed to Mrs. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation and the head of the DFAE. (Switzerland Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) Today, the situation of the Iraqi people, and that of the Christian community in view of recent events, has become even more precarious.
To continue the activities for Iraqi people, the Faculty of Theology of the University of Fribourg, in collaboration with the Association Basmat Al-Qarib, organizes on Friday, May 9, 2008 at 17.000 a conference held by Mgr. Louis Sako, Chaldean bishop of Kirkuk, on the theme: "Christians of Iraq: forgotten community?"
The conference will be followed by a roundtable discussion with representatives of several humanitarian organizations led by Mr. Jacques Berset, editor in chief of the agency APIC. (Switzerland International Catholic Press Agency)
The Faculty of Theology of the University of Fribourg wants to support the Christians in Iraq and promote scientific and cultural exchanges. It focuses, in particular, on the activities of “Babel College” the only Catholic Faculty of Theology in Iraq. It wants to implement changes and collaborations with the College. For these reasons the Faculty of Theology organizes on the same day at 10:00 a meeting between Mgr. Jacques Isaac, rector of "Babel College” and its authorities.
Founded in 2004, the Association Basmat Al-Qarib works in Switzerland to promote cooperation between Switzerland and Iraq in the areas of women and family’s rights. In this sense it is important for Basmat Al'Qarib to give a different point of view rather than that of horror, a look at the future of Iraqi people.
A Mass with the Iraqi bishops for peace in Iraq, will be celebrated in the Church of St-Pierre on Saturday May 10 at 17.30.
Your participation is a gesture of solidarity with the Iraqi people and a sign of hope for the Christian community in Iraq.