Referring to the decree issued by the Iraqi Prime Minister Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi on July 1, 2019, we would like to emphasize that the Chaldean Church considers this declaration as an important step in the right direction and supports it. This decree would limit the weapons to the state; strengthen its’ institutions; and reinforce national awareness among Iraqis, in terms of their national identity.
From
our side, we are officially announcing our “refusal” of the presence of
any Iraqi armed movement that carries Christian name or feature. On the
contrary, we encourage our youth to join the Iraqi official army and
the federal police services, while those in Kurdistan region of Iraq to
join Peshmerga forces. We respect individual decisions to join Al-Hashd
Al-Shaabi or to get involved in politics, but not to form a Christian
“brigade”. Since forming a Christian armed militias contradicts the
Christian spirituality that calls for love, tolerance, forgiveness and
peace.
This
decree agrees with the guidelines of many political entities, and with
our mission as Iraqi Christians in consolidating whatever leads to
harmonious coexistence on the ground. It will also solidify the pillars
of a strong government of law, citizenship and equality.
