By Abouna.org
Translated by Aziz Emmanuel Zebari - Catholic University Erbil
Translated by Aziz Emmanuel Zebari - Catholic University Erbil
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
(Mathew 9:5)
In the aftermath of the last regime change the Iraqi Christians have been exposed to a series of painful attacks starting with the attack by Al-Qaida through those of the Islamic party militias, gangs belonging to organized crime, and ending with the gangs of ISIS that forcefully displaced our people from Mosul and the Plain of Nineveh at a time when the successive governments that came to power after 2003 failed to defend the Christian component of the Iraqi citizens, safeguard them and offer them their legal rights. This has led to the immigration of many Iraqi Christians. Our future holds no good for us nor does it indicate a continuation of Christian existence in this part of the world where Christianity was introduced since the first century AD.
Amid these attacks and the prevailing situation wherein one crises breeds another, the Christians along other components of the Iraqi people are the ones who pay the price of religious, sectarian, and political struggles that have weighted heavily on them killing them, setting them astray, taking their lives and possessions, and bombing and setting on fire their churches and lands.
It is possible to say without any doubt that it is the Christians who are the big loser in all of these chronic struggles to which they have never been party and which, if continued, would render our people more intent on immigration leading to their wiping out from the surface of this earth.
Undoubtedly, we Christians can never forget how our brothers in KR, as people and government, received us and supported our IDPs, not only Christians but also other components of the Iraqi people. The Kurdistan Region was a safe haven for us during the successive plights that befell us since 2003, and therefore we are very concerned that this region remains safe for those who live in it.
We appeal to the human conscience, the international community, the UN and the super powers to interfere and bear their moral and human responsibility to safeguard our people and help them stay and survive on their ancestral land through:
1. The creation of conditions for dialogue based on mutual respect between the federal government and the KRG on the disputable issues away from the language of threat and the use of media for escalating the crisis, and with an aim to reach a suitable solution away from spreading feelings of hatred that fuel conflicts; for it is a common fact that this situation has created in Christians a state of fear and concern about the possibility that the struggle may develop into a crisis that will have far reaching repercussions for all.
2. Distancing Christians form internal struggles among the large components of the Iraqi people. We cannot hide our concern that the situation for the Christians has become very difficult and leads uncertainty amid the absence of any genuine political projects for them that would help them stay and survive on their ancestral land in dignity. Our people are tired of more injury, disappointment and frustration. We are no more able to stand further the immigration of the remaining ones of our people.
3. Restoration of life to and the reconstruction of the Christian towns and the running of projects that would provide job opportunities for their children so that their existence may continue in the area. For, amid the engagement of both the federal government and the KRG in struggle on the disputed areas – including the historical areas of our people), the areas liberated from the control of the criminal ISIS gangs are in an appalling condition in terms of reconstruction, public services, and security. There are no serious attempts at reconstructing the area at all. This makes it difficult for the IDPs to return prolonging thereby their plight.
4. Termination of all acts of demographic change in the Christian historical areas that would bring about change to its Christian identity. Care should be taken not use them and arm them to serve agendas that do not serve the interests of our Christian people. We demand that the use of arms be restricted to the official security forces which we encourage our young men to join.
5. The future Plain of Nineveh should be maintained unified; for it is important not divide it into parts. Care should be made not to involve the last remaining Christian land into political bargaining, as this vulnerable community doesn’t stand further schism and division in addition to the political, sectarian and appellations. The Plain of Nineveh is a great symbol for Christians in Iraq, the KR, and the world. Amid the crisis that the country experiences today following the referendum of KR, we would like to call upon all parties involved to opt for dialogue and moderation and stop the escalation of the conflict through media and make efforts to contain the internal crises between the conflicting politicians through serious dialogue based on the recognition of the other and respecting their rights. Efforts should also be made to overcome all the challenges in the way to make all equal partners in preparing secure living conditions, especially when everybody is tired of crises and their ramifications, especially the Christians who are not ready to be used as fuel for further wars and crises.
We stress that there is no other means to solve the problems of the country other than to seriously and genuinely sit at the table of negotiation for dialogue so that everyone may have their rights. We do not encourage the internationalization of issues and the intervention of others as the latter will only further complicate things only to make the people of Iraq with all of its ethnic and religious components destined to further endless plights.
We pray to God to lead all to the right path, the path of peace, justice, charity and dignity.
(Mathew 9:5)
In the aftermath of the last regime change the Iraqi Christians have been exposed to a series of painful attacks starting with the attack by Al-Qaida through those of the Islamic party militias, gangs belonging to organized crime, and ending with the gangs of ISIS that forcefully displaced our people from Mosul and the Plain of Nineveh at a time when the successive governments that came to power after 2003 failed to defend the Christian component of the Iraqi citizens, safeguard them and offer them their legal rights. This has led to the immigration of many Iraqi Christians. Our future holds no good for us nor does it indicate a continuation of Christian existence in this part of the world where Christianity was introduced since the first century AD.
Amid these attacks and the prevailing situation wherein one crises breeds another, the Christians along other components of the Iraqi people are the ones who pay the price of religious, sectarian, and political struggles that have weighted heavily on them killing them, setting them astray, taking their lives and possessions, and bombing and setting on fire their churches and lands.
It is possible to say without any doubt that it is the Christians who are the big loser in all of these chronic struggles to which they have never been party and which, if continued, would render our people more intent on immigration leading to their wiping out from the surface of this earth.
Undoubtedly, we Christians can never forget how our brothers in KR, as people and government, received us and supported our IDPs, not only Christians but also other components of the Iraqi people. The Kurdistan Region was a safe haven for us during the successive plights that befell us since 2003, and therefore we are very concerned that this region remains safe for those who live in it.
We appeal to the human conscience, the international community, the UN and the super powers to interfere and bear their moral and human responsibility to safeguard our people and help them stay and survive on their ancestral land through:
1. The creation of conditions for dialogue based on mutual respect between the federal government and the KRG on the disputable issues away from the language of threat and the use of media for escalating the crisis, and with an aim to reach a suitable solution away from spreading feelings of hatred that fuel conflicts; for it is a common fact that this situation has created in Christians a state of fear and concern about the possibility that the struggle may develop into a crisis that will have far reaching repercussions for all.
2. Distancing Christians form internal struggles among the large components of the Iraqi people. We cannot hide our concern that the situation for the Christians has become very difficult and leads uncertainty amid the absence of any genuine political projects for them that would help them stay and survive on their ancestral land in dignity. Our people are tired of more injury, disappointment and frustration. We are no more able to stand further the immigration of the remaining ones of our people.
3. Restoration of life to and the reconstruction of the Christian towns and the running of projects that would provide job opportunities for their children so that their existence may continue in the area. For, amid the engagement of both the federal government and the KRG in struggle on the disputed areas – including the historical areas of our people), the areas liberated from the control of the criminal ISIS gangs are in an appalling condition in terms of reconstruction, public services, and security. There are no serious attempts at reconstructing the area at all. This makes it difficult for the IDPs to return prolonging thereby their plight.
4. Termination of all acts of demographic change in the Christian historical areas that would bring about change to its Christian identity. Care should be taken not use them and arm them to serve agendas that do not serve the interests of our Christian people. We demand that the use of arms be restricted to the official security forces which we encourage our young men to join.
5. The future Plain of Nineveh should be maintained unified; for it is important not divide it into parts. Care should be made not to involve the last remaining Christian land into political bargaining, as this vulnerable community doesn’t stand further schism and division in addition to the political, sectarian and appellations. The Plain of Nineveh is a great symbol for Christians in Iraq, the KR, and the world. Amid the crisis that the country experiences today following the referendum of KR, we would like to call upon all parties involved to opt for dialogue and moderation and stop the escalation of the conflict through media and make efforts to contain the internal crises between the conflicting politicians through serious dialogue based on the recognition of the other and respecting their rights. Efforts should also be made to overcome all the challenges in the way to make all equal partners in preparing secure living conditions, especially when everybody is tired of crises and their ramifications, especially the Christians who are not ready to be used as fuel for further wars and crises.
We stress that there is no other means to solve the problems of the country other than to seriously and genuinely sit at the table of negotiation for dialogue so that everyone may have their rights. We do not encourage the internationalization of issues and the intervention of others as the latter will only further complicate things only to make the people of Iraq with all of its ethnic and religious components destined to further endless plights.
We pray to God to lead all to the right path, the path of peace, justice, charity and dignity.
Head of the Christian Churches in KR
Sunday , 1 October 2017