By Baghdadhope
Baghdadhope received by the Chaldean Eparchy of Lebanon the abstract and the reccomendations of the Conference entitled “Christian Existence in Iraq: On a Rise or Demise?” held in Notre Dame UniversityLouaizé -Beirut, on February 19, 2009.
To read the abstract and the recommendations click on "leggi tutto"
Abstract
Under the patronage of His Beatitude and Eminence Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Cardinal Sfeir, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, represented by Bishop Youssef Bechara, the Eastern Churches in Lebanon (Chaldean, Assyrian, Orthodox Syriac and Catholic Syriac) along with the cooperation of “Notre Dame University” hosted a major conference which took place on the 19th of February 2009 concerning the Christian presence in Iraq, entitled “Christian Existence in Iraq: On a rise… or demise?”
This conference was attended by Patriarchs, Bishops and Sheikhs from both the Christian and Muslim communities of various local and foreign churches and publics as well as representatives of many secular, cultural, educational, military, diplomatic and political entities. It was also covered by a considerable number of local, Arab, as well as foreign media channels and radio stations such as: LBCI, ANB, Future TV, Tele Lumière, Noursat, OTV, SAT 7, Sumariya (Iraq), Al Jazira (Arabic), Kurdistan (Iraq), Kanat al Hora (USA) and Voice of Lebanon radio station.
The conference featured many key speakers who proficiently, informatively, and decisively addressed the pressing problem which the Christians of Iraq are facing.
The opening session began with the national anthem and then a welcoming speech by Father Walid Moussa, the President of Notre Dame University followed by a word from the head of the Chaldean community in Lebanon, Bishop Michel Kassarji, after that Bishop Yousef Bechara presented his word on behalf of Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Botrous Sfeir, Followed by a word from bishop Andraous Abouna the associate of the Cardinal of Babel Emanuel Deli the 3rd who spoke on his behalf and before ending the opening session, a word was received from the Lebanese President Michael Sleiman which was presented by the director of public relations at NDU Mr. Souhail Mattar.
The first session was initiated by presenting a documentary film by Assi Ziad Al Rahbani entitled “Departing…with history on their tracks.” After the documentary, a speech was made by Bishop Louis Sako Archbishop of Karkuk who spoke about the challenges of the persistence of Christians in Iraq followed by a speech from the Telkaif District Mayor Mr. Bassim Bello who addressed the basic elements concerning the existence of Christians in Iraq.
The second session included a film stating live testimonies of Iraqi people who spoke about their anguish, despair and pain regarding the hardships they have encountered in their homeland Iraq. Moreover, they spoke about the deep faith they have in their Lord who gives them peace, strength and harmony during these difficult times as well as the hope they are holding on to in returning to their beloved homes someday. Furthermore, this session incorporated speeches from the Syriac Orthodox bishop of Aleppo-Syria Youhana Ibrahim, who spoke about the displacement of Christians from Iraq; Former Iraqi Minister Pascale Warde who spoke about the Christian rights and the freedom of other minorities; general secretary of the national committee for Islamic-Christian dialogue Dr. Mohammad al Sammak who spoke about the role of Muslims regarding the protection of Christian existence in Iraq. Finally, the last speech was made by Dr. Michel Awad who approached the Christian topic as part of the entire situation regarding the Christians of the East.
The Final word was delivered by General Michel Kasdano who stressed that the economic crisis can be compensated, but erasing pages from civilizations and history along with the deletion of communities from a country’s map cannot be remunerated. This has to be a Muslim mission and cause as much as it is a Christian cause. While the president of the higher Council of the Chaldean community in Lebanon Mr. Antoine Hakim presented a list of recommendation addressed to eastern churches, the International community, UN officials, Lebanese authorities, Iraqi officials, the Arab League and the conference of the Islamic states calling on them to take demanding action in putting a stop to this pressing matter and rescuing these minorities from this sad reality.
This conference was attended by Patriarchs, Bishops and Sheikhs from both the Christian and Muslim communities of various local and foreign churches and publics as well as representatives of many secular, cultural, educational, military, diplomatic and political entities. It was also covered by a considerable number of local, Arab, as well as foreign media channels and radio stations such as: LBCI, ANB, Future TV, Tele Lumière, Noursat, OTV, SAT 7, Sumariya (Iraq), Al Jazira (Arabic), Kurdistan (Iraq), Kanat al Hora (USA) and Voice of Lebanon radio station.
The conference featured many key speakers who proficiently, informatively, and decisively addressed the pressing problem which the Christians of Iraq are facing.
The opening session began with the national anthem and then a welcoming speech by Father Walid Moussa, the President of Notre Dame University followed by a word from the head of the Chaldean community in Lebanon, Bishop Michel Kassarji, after that Bishop Yousef Bechara presented his word on behalf of Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Botrous Sfeir, Followed by a word from bishop Andraous Abouna the associate of the Cardinal of Babel Emanuel Deli the 3rd who spoke on his behalf and before ending the opening session, a word was received from the Lebanese President Michael Sleiman which was presented by the director of public relations at NDU Mr. Souhail Mattar.
The first session was initiated by presenting a documentary film by Assi Ziad Al Rahbani entitled “Departing…with history on their tracks.” After the documentary, a speech was made by Bishop Louis Sako Archbishop of Karkuk who spoke about the challenges of the persistence of Christians in Iraq followed by a speech from the Telkaif District Mayor Mr. Bassim Bello who addressed the basic elements concerning the existence of Christians in Iraq.
The second session included a film stating live testimonies of Iraqi people who spoke about their anguish, despair and pain regarding the hardships they have encountered in their homeland Iraq. Moreover, they spoke about the deep faith they have in their Lord who gives them peace, strength and harmony during these difficult times as well as the hope they are holding on to in returning to their beloved homes someday. Furthermore, this session incorporated speeches from the Syriac Orthodox bishop of Aleppo-Syria Youhana Ibrahim, who spoke about the displacement of Christians from Iraq; Former Iraqi Minister Pascale Warde who spoke about the Christian rights and the freedom of other minorities; general secretary of the national committee for Islamic-Christian dialogue Dr. Mohammad al Sammak who spoke about the role of Muslims regarding the protection of Christian existence in Iraq. Finally, the last speech was made by Dr. Michel Awad who approached the Christian topic as part of the entire situation regarding the Christians of the East.
The Final word was delivered by General Michel Kasdano who stressed that the economic crisis can be compensated, but erasing pages from civilizations and history along with the deletion of communities from a country’s map cannot be remunerated. This has to be a Muslim mission and cause as much as it is a Christian cause. While the president of the higher Council of the Chaldean community in Lebanon Mr. Antoine Hakim presented a list of recommendation addressed to eastern churches, the International community, UN officials, Lebanese authorities, Iraqi officials, the Arab League and the conference of the Islamic states calling on them to take demanding action in putting a stop to this pressing matter and rescuing these minorities from this sad reality.
Recommendations of the Conference entitled “Christian Existence in Iraq: On a Rise or Demise?”
Notre Dame University
Louaizé - Feb. 19, 2009
Notre Dame University
Louaizé - Feb. 19, 2009
Introduction:
In result of the meetings that took place simultaneously with the preparations of this Conference between the representatives of the organizing Churches and their discussions about "The Christian presence in Iraq", and after listening to different points of view of speakers, religious and lay figures concerning the matter at hands, we reached the following recommendations:
A- Recommendations addressed to Eastern Churches in Lebanon:
Declaring this present year of 2009 as the "year of the Christian presence in Iraq" and to be materialized in cultural and religious activities as well as humanitarian aids.
Organizing one day of prayer in all churches of Lebanon to sympathize with the Christians of Iraq.
Forming a high committee to take care of the Christian Iraqi refugees in the neighboring countries in coordination with local governments and church leaders.
Recommendations addressed to the Lebanese Authorities:
Issuing temporary residency permits subject to renewal for the Iraqi refugees to be exempted from fees and collateral monetary deposits.
Facilitating easy access for the Iraqi refugees to benefit from social services (health, education…) in coordination with the UNHCR, humanitarian non-governmental organizations and Iraqi Government.
Recommendations addressed to International Society and The United Nations:
Organizing a conference to examine the issue of "minorities in Iraq" to ensure their continuity and activate their role in their countries.
Creating UN bureaus in coordination with Iraqi Government in multiethnic and multi-confessional areas in order to monitor violations and in consequence adopt an adequate system of protection.
Working jointly with Iraqi Government to implement international agreements and charts concerning indigenous people.
Increasing aids to the displaced Iraqis within Iraq and abroad, be it directly or thru related governments.
Recommendations addressed to the Arab League and the Conference of Islamic Countries:
Promulgating decisions that will help protect the Christians in Iraq and in other countries of the Middle East.
Working with Muslim religious leaders to enact decisions "Fatwa’s" that prohibit aggression against the peaceful Christian citizens of Iraq.
E. Recommendations addressed to the Iraqi Authorities:
1- Ensuring a just representation of Christians in the parliament and, as for the provincial councils, it is suggested that the declarations by virtue of article 50 before cancellation be adopted.
2- Implementing Act of Article (125) of the constitution that states that all administrative, political, cultural and educational rights must be ensured to all ethnicities.
3- Ensuring work opportunities for all Iraqis, away from the confessional quota and marginalization.
4- Amending the Constitution on the basis of citizenship adopted as a true measure in public life and not on the basis of religious affiliation or ethnicity.
5- Ensuring the return of the displaced people, facilitating the restitution of their properties and compensating them for their land that has been confiscated for public use.
6- Inviting immigrants to return to Iraq and to invest in their regions and enacting a special law allowing the restitution of Iraqi citizenship to those who have lost it under previous regimes.
7- Prioritizing attention to disadvantaged areas and accelerating the process to create developmental projects in order to generate job opportunities for the local citizens.