On
the eve of two noticeable holidays in Nineveh Plain area, the feast of
St. Barbara and St. Behnam, I would like to thank all the social
institutions and organizations concerned with helping Churches, as well
as the non-governmental bodies (NGOs) that have energetically
contributed to the return of Christians in this region, which is the
Historical cradle of Christians.
Whether
we are descended from the mountains of northern Iraq, or residents of
Baghdad or even Basrah, each of us, as an Iraqi Christian, feels that
Nineveh Plain is part of his/her being. It is still so painful to
remember the ISIS “jihadist” attack in 2014 forcing Christians to leave
their home, followed by looting and destruction of houses, Churches,
Schools etc. The only condolences for us at that time was to find a
reliable support from different parts of the world.
Today,
after two years of its liberation from ISIS, the Nineveh Plain area
still needs the help of our brothers and sisters who can pray and give
us a hand. Therefore, I am addressing this appeal to all NGOs; social
institutions; Churches, and governments: We need your help so that all
the people of the Nineveh Plain remain in their homes, and those who
have been displaced outside the region can return to it. Knowing that
ISIS defeat from the region does not mean that there is no need to help
its inhabitants anymore.
In
the contrary, there is a crucial need for helping youth to secure their
future in their homeland. In order for the families to survive and
settle down in the area, there is a vital need to have a comprehensive
health services network starting from small clinic to hospital. I
strongly urge all “actors” to work specifically to restore life to the
Nineveh Plain, for instance, by encouraging projects in agriculture,
livestock, trade, etc. This can be achieved in cooperation with the
bishops of Mosul and the Nineveh Plain and their teams. It is worth
mentioning that the Chaldeans have a new bishop of Mosul and
Akra, residing currently in the town of Karmles.
As
we are at the beginning of the advent, I would like to call upon all
Christians of the world to pray for Iraq, and in particular for the
people of Nineveh Plain: O Jesus Christ, grant energy to all those who
have the desire to return, so that to rebuild themselves and live
peacefully in the beautiful Nineveh Plain. Since the future of Iraqi
Christians passes through Nineveh Plain.
