Patriarch Louis Rafael Sako
It must be remembered that the Chaldeans are Mesopotamia and original Iraq; their roots extend back thousands of years. They had a great empire, with Babylon as its capital, took control of Mesopotamia in the seventh century BC and expanded north and west. They have a great religious and cultural heritage, which is still a witness to this day. For example, the ziggurats, the Tower of Babel, the Hanging Gardens, the Hammurabi series, the Ishtar Gate, the Lion of Babel, and the Ur Tunnel. Their ancestors planted vineyards, palms, olives and wheat. They settled in the land and distinguished themselves in irrigation, architecture, music, poetry, lawmaking and astronomy.
It must be remembered that the Chaldeans are Mesopotamia and original Iraq; their roots extend back thousands of years. They had a great empire, with Babylon as its capital, took control of Mesopotamia in the seventh century BC and expanded north and west. They have a great religious and cultural heritage, which is still a witness to this day. For example, the ziggurats, the Tower of Babel, the Hanging Gardens, the Hammurabi series, the Ishtar Gate, the Lion of Babel, and the Ur Tunnel. Their ancestors planted vineyards, palms, olives and wheat. They settled in the land and distinguished themselves in irrigation, architecture, music, poetry, lawmaking and astronomy.
Before and after the advent of Islam,
especially in the rule of the Abbasid Empire, the Chaldeans, along with
the other Christians of their country, presented many scientific,
architectural, medical, cultural and artistic creations. These are the
written monuments preserved in the branches of science, knowledge,
translation, and writing.
Chaldeans and Christians also made a
significant contribution to the scientific and literary renaissance in
modern Iraq. They provided much in their administration, schools and
specialties in medicine, agriculture, engineering, construction, trade,
economics, writing, printing, and journalism. Chaldean families had a
prominent role in public life.
In the last century, Chaldean people, like
other religious and nationalist components, were subjected to violent
conflict, displacement and slaughter, as happened in Seferbirlik
1915-1918, where four Chaldean diocese were removed. Chaldeans and other
components have been subjected to violations and displacement in the
last 50 years because of the inferno of recurrent wars. The
unprecedented attacks of extremist Islamist movements such as Al-Qaeda
have caused them disappointment and feelings of insecurity. They have
lost confidence in the future and pushed them to emigrate.
Those who remained steadfast maintained
their long-standing roots and clung to their homeland despite the
failure of successive governments to give them the right to their own
fate. For example, history books or curricula do not mention a single
line about the Chaldeans and Christians and what they offered to their
Muslim brothers and sacrificed for their country.
Although the Church does not directly
intervene in politics, it is deeply influenced by political changes that
undermine the social fabric, the demographic and economic reality, and
do not respect the rights of Christians and their equality with other
citizens (the law of the Islamization of minors). Playing a proactive
role in supporting national cohesion, defending the rights of people,
the rule of law and responding appropriately to the concerns and needs
of their citizens. This is what the Church did during the displacement
of Christians and non-Christians from Mosul and the towns of the Nineveh
Plain and the restoration of their homes to return.
In light of the changes mentioned above,
and despite the decline in the number of Christians and their social and
cultural presence in Iraq, like other ethnic and sectarian groups, I
find that it’s now an urgent historical moment, so that the Chaldeans in
particular and the Christians in general bear their responsibilities in
the political process authentically and free from the residues of fear
and the colonial mentality. This national and Christian consciousness
should be as vital as salt and yeast to bring beautiful results.
As a sponsor and a father, I urge everyone,
especially the Iraqi Chaldeans at home and abroad, to participate in
the parliamentary elections on May 12 to give their votes to those who
are best suited to them and to the homeland. Elections are a national,
moral and Christian responsibility to ensure a modern constitutional
civil state that believes in pluralism and preserves the cultural and
civilizational heritage of all components!
My advice to the Chaldeans: I advise the
Chaldean activists to think carefully about the establishment of one
political party on behalf of the Chaldean Alliance (Huyada Kaldaya),
which includes the parties on the scene, and attracts cadres and
competencies at home and abroad away from opportunists and messengers.
In this context, I hope that one of the
priorities of this party is to strive with the Assyrian, Syriac and
Armenian parties to form a strong alliance representing the Christians
in the House of Representatives and the political activities. It demands
the amendment of the current constitution and its inclusion in articles
that explicitly recognize our existence and guarantee our national,
religious, political and cultural rights.
I hope that this vital project will be
adopted by the Chaldean Alliance and will be sponsored away from the
intervention of the Church.
In conclusion, I do not hide from you that I
wished in this election that Christians enter a unified list because we
are together stronger, and I sought it, but there was no great reaction
for this opportunity because of the agendas supporting some parties and
private interests.
