Pagine

23 maggio 2024

Iraq e Kurdistan iracheno, fra incertezze economiche e flussi migratori

By Openmigration.org
Ilaria Romano

L'Iraq è uno dei principali paesi di origine di chi presenta domande di asilo in Europa.
Ilaria Romano, con questo reportage, ci porta a scoprire le cause che spingono le persone a lasciare il loro Paese per mettere a frutto le loro competenze in Europa: tra guerra, povertà, disoccupazione e cambiamenti climatici.
Honer sta scegliendo il nome per la sua bambina che nascerà fra pochi giorni.
“È una decisione che spetta solo a mia moglie e a me sulla quale non vogliamo interferenze – spiega – e anche se entrambe le nostre famiglie fanno pressioni a riguardo; io vorrei darle un nome di cui possa essere fiera un domani, con un bel significato, ma che non sia troppo tradizionale, perché se dovesse emigrare sia più facile per lei essere accettata in una nuova società”.
Studi in comunicazione, curdo, arabo e inglese fluente, questo giovane di 34 anni nato e cresciuto a Erbil, la capitale del Kurdistan iracheno, ha lavorato come fixer con i media di mezzo mondo durante la guerra contro lo Stato Islamico, e ora, in tempo di relativa pace, ha cominciato a occuparsi di marketing e di investimenti nelle criptovalute.
Attraverso la rete è entrato in contatto con colleghi cinesi e americani, liberi professionisti di un settore in espansione. “Il paradosso è che conosco tanta gente di paesi diversi, ma non posso nemmeno andare a trovarli perché il passaporto iracheno è fra i più sfortunati, anziché aprirti le porte del mondo le chiude – spiega – non importa quale sia il tuo obiettivo, il tuo percorso, col mio documento ho difficoltà anche a raggiungere la Turchia per portare la mia famiglia al mare. E difatti il mare non l’abbiamo mai visto”.
Honer ha scelto di lavorare da freelance nella regione autonoma del suo paese dove la stragrande maggioranza degli abitanti è impiegata negli apparati pubblici, perché sa che percepire uno stipendio tutti i mesi, se sei un dipendente statale, è un’utopia. Nell’ultimo decennio nessuno ha mai avuto un salario regolare, né i Peshmerga durante la guerra contro lo Stato Islamico, né gli amministrativi e gli insegnanti, che periodicamente continuano a protestare.
Il suocero di Honer, un colonnello dell’esercito curdo, ha ricevuto la sua ultima mensilità nel novembre scorso, ed ora è suo genero a farsi carico anche della sua famiglia.

Il problema endemico degli stipendi
La questione dei salari è un problema costante in Kurdistan, ed è diventata parte preponderante della disputa fra Governo regionale e federale, insieme alla gestione dei flussi e della rendita petrolifera.
Nel febbraio scorso, la Corte Suprema irachena ha ordinato al Governo federale di provvedere al pagamento delle mensilità arretrate nella Regione autonoma settentrionale. La sentenza è stata sollecitata dai dipendenti pubblici di Sulaimaniyah, la seconda città del Kurdistan iracheno, che più volte erano scesi in piazza per chiedere il pagamento degli stipendi mai corrisposti nel 2023.
La Corte ha ordinato inoltre all’amministrazione curda di affidare tutte le sue entrate petrolifere al Governo federale, in cambio del 12,6% della spesa pubblica irachena.
Difficile dire se questo nuovo sistema reggerà e servirà a dare ossigeno alla cosiddetta classe media in sofferenza da tempo, anche perché il sistema clientelare su cui si basa tutta l’economia della Regione e dell’intero paese non consente lo sviluppo di reali opportunità occupazionali per i cittadini.

Mancanza di opportunità
“Qui in Kurdistan abbiamo una commistione fra pubblico e privato molto forte – racconta Jangar, laureato in farmacia e oggi tassista per necessità – le grandi compagnie di investimento, che si occupano ad esempio della realizzazione delle strade, vengono pagate dal Governo regionale per le opere che realizzano, ma spesso al loro interno ci sono rappresentanti del Governo, o loro familiari. E quindi il denaro continua a seguire un flusso circolare dal quale chi non ha agganci politici resta escluso”.
Jangar ha deciso di guidare il taxi dopo gli studi e una ricerca di lavoro qualificato che non è andata a buon fine. “Appena ne avrò l’opportunità – dice – tenterò di andare in Germania, dove già lavora mio fratello. Qui per noi non c’è futuro, si sopravvive appena”.
I dati dell’Unhcr indicano l’Iraq come uno dei principali paesi d’origine delle nuove domande di asilo in Europa. Solo nel 2022, 36 mila cittadini iracheni hanno richiesto l’asilo, e negli ultimi vent’anni l’Iraq si è sempre posizionato fra i primi paesi d’origine dei rifugiati che hanno raggiunto l’Europa.
Nel corso della storia recente, il paese è sempre stato interessato da ondate migratorie, legate soprattutto ai diversi conflitti che si sono susseguiti: la guerra con l’Iran fra il 1980 e il 1988, la Guerra del Golfo nel 1991 e l’invasione americana del 2003, con la conseguente caduta del regime di Saddam Hussein, che ha segnato l’inizio dell’evoluzione di una crisi ancora in corso.

La fine dello Stato Islamico
Nonostante la fine del conflitto con lo Stato Islamico sia avvenuta ormai sette anni fa, la situazione in tutto il paese continua a essere caratterizzata da un’instabilità generale, e da bisogni umanitari diffusi. Secondo l’Organizzazione internazionale per le Migrazioni, gli sfollati interni sono ancora 1,4 milioni di persone, distribuite fra Dohuk, Erbil, Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, Diyala e Anbar.
Dopo la guerra il paese ha assistito al ritorno graduale di 4,8 milioni di persone nelle proprie città di origine, ma non sempre in condizioni di vita sostenibili. Si calcola infatti che oltre 600 mila persone siano rientrate in case fatiscenti e vivano una situazione di privazione estrema. È il caso della città vecchia di Mosul, a tutt’oggi quasi interamente distrutta dai bombardamenti del 2017, dove pochissime famiglie sono tornate a vivere in un’area tutt’ora minata da ordigni inesplosi, nonostante il lavoro di bonifica costantemente eseguito da circa due anni.
Dove la ricostruzione fisica c’è stata, o è in corso, permangono i problemi legati all’accesso ai servizi di base come l’acqua corrente, l’elettricità, la sanità, oltre all’insicurezza economica e ai traumi legati al conflitto. Nella ex capitale irachena del califfato, che cerca in tutti i modi di lasciarsi alle spalle quel periodo buio, lavorano anche tanti bambini, che affollano le strade per vendere fazzoletti di carta agli automobilisti e buste di plastica al mercato per 5 mila dinari al giorno, meno di 3,5 euro.

Rientri e ripartenze
Poco lontano da Mosul, a circa 30 km, c’è Qaraqosh, uno dei centri della minoranza cristiana dell’Iraq che prima del 2014 contava oltre 60 mila abitanti, e che oggi ne ospita circa la metà.
“C’è stato un rientro veloce dopo la fine delle ostilità – ricorda Wissam, frate francescano che è tornato nella sua città natale dopo anni da sfollato a Erbil – chi aveva la possibilità ha cercato di ricostruire la propria casa, di cancellare quei tre anni di esilio e di terrore. Oggi però assistiamo al fenomeno inverso. Chi è tornato nel 2017 pensa ad andarsene di nuovo, e molti sono già ripartiti. Purtroppo il ricordo della guerra non si cancella, e chi non riesce nemmeno a trovare un lavoro non ha più stimoli per restare. L’incendio del 27 settembre scorso, poi, ha spento davvero ogni speranza di rinascita: durante una festa di matrimonio un rogo è divampato nella sala ricevimenti e 133 persone sono rimaste uccise. In pratica non c’è nessuno in città che non abbia avuto una vittima fra i parenti o i conoscenti. Da allora altre 100 famiglie sono andate via”.

Verso l’Europa
Gli ultimi dati dell’Agenzia dell’Unione Europea per l’asilo dicono che nel 2023 gli stati membri hanno ricevuto 1,14 milioni di richieste di asilo; delle 26 mila provenienti da cittadini iracheni, il 43% è stato presentato in Germania, il 24% in Grecia e il restante 33% fra Paesi Bassi, Svezia, Austria, Belgio, Finlandia, Italia, Francia e Bulgaria. Dal 2015 a oggi si calcola che almeno 760 mila persone provenienti da Iraq e Kurdistan abbiano raggiunto l’Europa attraverso la rotta del Mediterraneo orientale o la rotta balcanica. Dai dati dello scorso anno è risultato un decremento del flusso attraverso i Balcani tra gennaio e giugno, con un transito di circa 10.300 persone (-16% rispetto al 2022). Secondo i dati diffusi dall’emittente curda Rudaw, negli ultimi tre anni solo dal Kurdistan sono partiti fra i 36 e i 38 mila giovani diretti in Europa, ma nello scorso anno questo dato è sceso drasticamente a poco più di un migliaio di persone.

Il futuro prossimo della migrazione climatica
Se le partenze nello scorso anno hanno registrato un calo, c’è un’altra tendenza che fa pensare ad un prossimo aumento. L’Iraq è il quinto paese più vulnerabile ai cambiamenti climatici, colpito da un aumento delle temperature e da una forte siccità soprattutto al sud, complici anche le politiche idriche, la rapida urbanizzazione e crescita esponenziale della popolazione, l’inefficienza nell’utilizzo dell’acqua in agricoltura e nell’industria. Nel settembre scorso l’Oim ha registrato oltre 130 mila sfollati, a causa della scarsità e della scarsa qualità dell’acqua in Iraq, diretti più a nord, in città che non sono pronte ad accogliere nuovi cittadini e che con tutta probabilità faranno da base a nuove partenze verso l’estero, alla ricerca di migliori condizioni di vita.
All’incertezza climatica si somma anche quella geopolitica, per il rischio di coinvolgimento in un conflitto su scala regionale fra Iran e Israele. Il paese è già stato in passato teatro di attacchi contro obiettivi militari iraniani, come l’uccisione mirata del generale Qasem Soleymani, avvenuta nel 2020 all’aeroporto di Baghdad con un’operazione americana, e in tempi recenti è stato utilizzato per il lancio di una parte dei missili partiti per Tel Aviv in risposta all’attacco israeliano contro il consolato iraniano a Damasco. Per chi ha già vissuto una o più guerre, ossia tutti i nati dalla fine degli anni Settanta in poi, una ragione in più per decidere di emigrare.

Per approfondire la situazione in questa area si può leggere il precedente reportageprecedente reportage di Ilaria Romano.

Iraqi Election Commission overturns quota decision for 2024 Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections


Jumana al-Ghalai, spokeswoman for the Iraqi Election Commission, announced that on 20 May, the Judicial Election Commission nullified a prior decision by the Board of Commissioners.
This decision had previously responded to a claim submitted by representatives of religious and national components in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) regarding the 2024 Kurdistan Regional Parliament elections.
Al-Ghalai explained that the Federal Supreme Court ruled Clause 11 in Article 1 of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Parliament Elections Law No. 1 of 1992 unconstitutional. Consequently, the Court mandated the Kurdistan Regional Parliament to comprise 100 seats: 34 in Erbil, 38 in Sulaymaniyah, 25 in Dohuk, and 3 in Halabja.
Additionally, the commission allocated 5 quota seats for minority components: 2 seats for Christians and Turkmen in Erbil, 2 for Christians and Turkmen in Sulaymaniyah, and 1 seat for Armenians in Nohadra (Dohuk).
The decision to adjust quota seats was met with condemnation from Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian parties and organizations, who demanded the restoration of 5 Christian seats in the Kurdistan Regional Parliament, as previously designated.

Morte Raisi: le condoglianze del patriarcato caldeo di Baghdad

18 maggio 2024

A seguito dell’incidente in elicottero nel quale ha perso la vita il Presidente della Repubblica islamica Ebrahim Raisi, il Patriarcato caldeo in Iraq e nel mondo, in un messaggio firmato dal patriarca, card. Louis Raphael Sako, ha espresso “sincere condoglianze e vicinanza al Governo e al popolo della Repubblica Islamica dell’Iran” chiedendo “a Dio Onnipotente di avere misericordia” delle vittime, “di benedirle con la Sua immensa misericordia, e di donare conforto alle loro famiglie e alla Repubblica Islamica dell’Iran”.

Catholic University in Erbil Is a Beacon of Perseverance, Sowing Hope in Iraq

John Neill

Historically, Iraqi Christians have been deeply challenged with persecution and have tried steadfastly to remain in their country and that of their ancestors; however, ISIS was particularly devastating for them — destroying their lives, livelihoods and instilling an ever-present fear to be able to live a dignified life anymore. Many have, therefore, been forced “with tears in their eyes” into the diaspora, with less than 250,000 souls now remaining.
Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil was not going to accept that hatred would win and see the end of Christianity in Iraq; out of the darkness, he would sow a great seed of hope to those who were losing their education. That seed would be sown in Ankawa, and it would also provide other great fruits for the future of Christianity in Iraq.
Ankawa is the only Christian quarter on the outskirts of Erbil, the safe capital of Kurdistan, Iraq. In the unforgiving and blistering heat of an Iraqi summer, on Aug. 6-7, 2014, it found itself transformed and the center of international attention: Some 75,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) had fled there from ISIS. Mosul, the epicenter of the Islamic State group’s murderous military campaign in Iraq, was only 85 kilometers (52 miles) away.
Amid the chaos, daily hubbub of crowded streets and frenzied activity, seeds were being sown by Archbishop Warda, who was ordained into that role in 2010 at 41 years old. Key to him were education and health, ancient strengths of Iraqi Christians. Schools were needed and founded, with the shining beacon of light being the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) — a rather bold name in a Muslim country, but from an archbishop who had the courage of his convictions, vision and a determined diplomacy to get what he needed.
The Italian Bishops’ Conference gave him the money for the university; it was no easy matter to establish it in 2015, but he was determined in getting the myriad ministry and government permissions to do so. His initial and strategic goal was that he did not want the young displaced persons to miss out in their education; if they were not being educated, they too would head to the diaspora.
A key issue was in paying the fees and accommodations; parents did not have the money to educate their children beyond high school, as ISIS had destroyed their livelihoods. Therefore, those fees had to be procured by a large worldwide appeal to donors: Aid to the Church in Need came to support scholarships with its “Pope Francis Scholarship Program” that currently supports 237 students; other major supporters include the Italian Bishops’ Conference (sponsoring 50 student scholarships), Italy; German Academic Exchange Service, Germany (19 scholarships); and the U.S. State Department (40 scholarships). The Knights of Columbus were always there to lend financial support for the university’s general running costs.
It is a wonderful and deeply religious Christian environment.
I came to the university in 2016, when it had around 55 students displaced in Ankawa. They loved the welcoming culture of the university; its inclusive formation for all faiths, which they proactively reached out to; the stellar teacher-student ratio; and the focus on learning in the English language that would afford them the opportunity to getting work with international companies in Erbil. They had their fears regarding security, their rights and regaining their homes, but they embraced the opportunity to be educated — no matter what that they had lost with ISIS’ brutal regime.
Over the course of their degree, they became more confident about their future in Iraq and loved being able to express themselves through their life stories and views on how to achieve a better Iraq. The university is one engaging and existing with differences; this is creating a vibrant intellectual and philosophical culture within it, which bodes well for the future.
St. John Henry Newman saw a university as “a seat of wisdom, a light of the world, a minister of the faith, an Alma Mater of the rising generation. It is this and a great deal more, and demands a somewhat better head and hand than mine to describe it well” (The Idea of a University).

Student Perspectives
I witnessed how eloquent the students spoke with international journalists — not afraid to speak their minds. They are the future of a better country, and we should help them to achieve this by financial support or teaching coming from overseas.
CUE shared the perspectives of several students via email.
“I love the university because of the mixed ethnic groups, and freedom of speech, and the advanced education,” said Mohammed, a Muslim student.
“It’s a mixed community, and we are forgetting our past and we are learning new things every day about other ethnic groups, and we learn from each other’s culture,” said Almas, a Yazidi student.
With the university accreditation, noted Rolan, a Chaldean Catholic student, “I could get job opportunities in the future, and I could help the country by developing new skills in the community.”
Added Edyan, of the Kakayi faith, “The lecturers are great with us, and they encourage us to keep on going."
At the university, I learned many things about the young, especially their unique fortitude, togetherness, forgiveness and willingness to help their neighbor, regardless of their faith; many had suffered from the brutality of ISIS, especially the Yazidis, the Kurdish-speaking ethnic-religious minority who live primarily in Iraq, who were brutally persecuted by ISIS. The young people eagerly volunteered in assisting the refugees in 2014 — and since.
Christianity came there in the first century — it is in their blood, hearts and souls. The 8,000 Chaldean Christian families and other Christian faiths are being supported by a seminary of 20 students, six churches, four schools, a Catholic hospital, the Catholic University in Erbil, and an archbishop determined to ensure their survival.

10 Years of Learning
Coming up to its 10th anniversary with 11 undergraduate programs highly correlated to the job market, 590 students (24% Muslim, 14% Yazidi ), 59% of them women, the CUE is singularly placed as the only institution in Iraq where mixing with other faiths comes with absolute equality and trust from those of other faiths. This trust and formation have made a significant difference to the young of all faiths, enabling them to dialogue together, enjoy activities together and foster hope for the future.
The Catholic university is one of the key projects for keeping Christianity in Iraq, as families will stay if their children can be educated to secure jobs for a dignified life in their homeland. It is also becoming an educational institution hallmarked by successful social cohesion, a project that will build alumni who share mutual goals for a united Iraq. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, of Kurdistan, attended the October 2023 commencement ceremony, praising the university for its excellent formation of young Iraqis and calling it “sacred ground.”
The students still need donors for their education and accommodation, but the university is a success story emerging from the darkness and sheer evil of ISIS, where the Ankawa Christians and those spread across Iraq/Kurdistan stand firm in their faith to keep the spirit of Jesus Christ alive in Iraq.
As Archbishop Warda said, “If we left, who would bring Christ to Iraq? Who would be the light of Christ to the people here, if not us?”
At Westminster Abbey last November, he was invited to deliver the homily celebrating the 25th anniversary of the installation of statues honoring 10 modern martyrs in the abbey’s west wing, including three Catholics. “To witness for Christ is a treasure beyond all value that we hold deep in our souls,” he said.
What he, his priests, his sisters and his determined students from all areas of Iraq and his vibrant staff have achieved in 10 years, amid persecution, war, widespread unemployment and COVID, shows the Holy Spirit creating a beautiful and ever-radiant light that is full of hope for those Christians that remain in Iraq. They still need help, amid ISIS-destroyed livelihoods, and unemployment remains very high in their villages.
As a European, I believe this stands as an amazing witness — this type of Christianity where the life of the Christian community absolutely revolves around the Church. They totally rely on their shepherds, who know everyone in their community by name and family. These shepherds come from that ancient, selfless line — and very sadly, a recent one — where the seed of the Church is the blood of the martyrs.

John Neill is retired from the BBC. He currently serves as a volunteer for the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil as a consultant in raising funds for the university, the four schools, six churches and a hospital.

101-year-old Armenian Church reopened in Zakho


With the support of Government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), the Republic of Hungary and the Armenian Archdiocese of Iraq, an Armenian Church dating back more than a hundred years was re-opened in Zakho, Iraq.
The opening event was attended by KRI Minister of Endowment and Religious Affairs Pshtiwan Sadiq and Supervisor of independent Administration of Zakho Kohdar Sheikho, as well as party and government officials and Armenian figures.
Former Armenian MP in the KRI parliament, Yarwant Aminyan stated that Zakho opened its doors to the Armenian survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire more than a hundred years ago.
The restored Armenian church was built in 1923.

New Monastery in Karamless


On Wednesday, May 15, three brothers of the Holy Cross set up residence in the Saint Mary Church of Karamless, in Iraq.
Archbishop Najeeb, Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul and Akre, celebrated Mass to mark the occasion. He then blessed the new monastery where the brothers will now reside.
The three monks will spend half of each week at the monastery, praying and working with wood, and the other half visiting villagers in the diocese.
Also present at the celebration was the female branch of the congregation, the Sisters of Jesus Crucified, who have two sisters at the Saint Barbara Sanctuary in Karamless and two in Basra.

Chaldean Patriarchate criticizes exclusion of local Church leaders in Office of Endowments meeting


The Chaldean Patriarchate in Iraq expressed surprise and disapproval over a recent meeting held by the Office of Endowments for Christians, Yezidis, and Sabean-Mandaeans, which discussed the issue of religious succession with some judges from the Federal Supreme Court.
Notably absent from this meeting were the heads of Iraqi Churches.
In a statement, the Patriarchate highlighted the unusual nature of the meeting and questioned the participation of the Vatican ambassador, whose role in Iraq has concluded and who does not represent the various Iraqi Churches.
The Patriarchate voiced its confusion about the necessity of discussing succession, noting that most Church bishops already hold the argument of succession. The statement criticized the head of the Office of Endowments for bypassing local Church leaders and instead involving a foreign cleric, suggesting this move undermines the authority of the local heads.
It also emphasized that the argument of succession cannot replace the Republican Decree, which was retracted by the President of the Republic in a clear constitutional violation.
The Chaldean Patriarchate called on officials in Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani’s government to address this overreach and prevent such actions in the future, urging respect for the proper representation and involvement of local church leaders in matters of succession.



9 maggio 2024

Speech of Patriarch Sako at the Opening of the VII Colloquium of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS)


In the presence of His Highness Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, the seventh Colloquium of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS) commenced its 2-day program in the morning of May 8, 2024 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Amman – Jordan,
The Jordanian Royal National Anthem announced the start of the opening ceremony, followed by the speech of His Beatitude Patriarch Louis Raphael Card. Sako (included below). Then a speech of His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Jordan, Bishop Giovanni Dal Tazo.
In a welcoming speech, His Highness Prince El Hassan mentioned that “Iraq and the ancient Chaldean family”.

Here is the text of Patriarch Sako’s address:
Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS) Amman – Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The 8th of May 2024

First, I would like to thank His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan, his government, and the people of Jordan for receiving many displaced Iraqis and others in Jordan. I hope that the displaced will never forget these gentle humanitarian touches.
On behalf of the Vatican delegation, I extend my thanks and gratitude to The Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS), His Highness Prince El Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan, the director of the institute and its staff. We appreciate their exceptional efforts and initiatives in promoting awareness of the dynamic interfaith dialogue between religions in all its dimensions, in order to achieve harmonious coexistence and preserve social peace, religious and cultural diversity in the region.
Dialogue, I mean courageous dialogue, is the guaranteed way to solve problems and achieve comprehensive and lasting peace against war that destabilize human fraternity. Our hope is that people of good will contribute to establishing peace. We cannot disregard the death of thousands of innocent people and millions of displaced, as is the current situation in the Holy Land, Ukraine and other countries. There is an urgent need for international balance to provide the opportunity for peace, security and safety all over the world.
I would like also to highlight the role of the Catholic Church and Pope Francis’ stance addressing the importance of peace, preserving human rights, freedom and dignity. His focus on respecting and having dialogue among religions has become a fundamental value for the Church.
Consequently, the Document on Human Fraternity for world peace and living together, signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh of Al-Azhar Dr. Muhammad Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019, is a unique historical achievement between both Christian and Islamic religions.
Human fraternity is no longer an idea, but rather a necessary “life-long project” that we need to grow up with and apply it on daily basis, since life is an art of humanization, principles and morals that requires courage. War intersects with peace! Our world is in need leaders who work hard to make peace.
Man is the Center of Religions at Both Times of Peace and War
Christ instructed His disciples: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6/ 31). Almost similar phrase is found in “Al – Hadith El – Sharif”: “No one of you shall become a true believer until he desires for his brother what he desires for himself”. This is the golden rule for dealing with people and establishing harmonious coexistence.
God, the Creator, calls us to work diligently to reduce injustice and pain, change people’s conditions, turn off all forms of conflict and war, spreading concepts of life, love, fraternity, tolerance, common good, mutual respect and peace, instead of hatred, separation and fighting.
Caring about people is an evidence of our love and true worship for God the Almighty. Since God created us different, we must respect His design, and not set ourselves up as judges to classify people.
It is unfortunate that the region has been drawn into a widespread extremism, so there is now, more than ever before, a need to create a strong, shared mutual feeling about the importance of spreading a culture of moderation, peace and coexistence, as well as preserving the rights of citizens on the basis of their fraternity bond in creation and their unity in faith. Therefore, the difference in religions, as we mentioned, is a divine design, and extremist ideology does not help us dealing with challenges and rounding corners.

Awareness and Education
I believe that the current problem with divergence and extremism lies in the “lack” of our religious and societal awareness and education. For instance, if our education is sensible, coherent, and open to others, recognizing and accepting them as brothers / sisters in humanity and as a citizen, it will certainly lead to real positive results away from disagreements and bad actions.
Education is our path to future and peace. Let us teach our children using words of love and respect instead of words of infidelity “takfir”, betrayal, and exclusion, which are generally not based on the message of religion that aims to bring people closer together and not to divide them. Thus, implementing an integrated strategy to renew religious “TEXT” and discourse in the region will spare conflicts and disputes.
In fact, current circumstances fuel the pace of violence in the Arab region, due to wrong “inherited” opinions about others who are different from us, and judged absentia. Especially because we people of the East in general, tend to oppress, accuse each other, take revenge by force as well as seeking control over power, money and people instead of relying on justice, dialogue, and understanding.
This kind of “strict” stance toward others, generates a state of instability and tension, and may lead to a long lasting war, a war that destroys what man has accomplished over the centuries. Not to mention the enormous human, material, civilizational and cultural losses resulting from such absurd wars, as happened in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and what is happening in the Holy Land today. The scene is very dangerous and very disturbing.

Message of the Cleric
Clerics must have an enlightened mind because he carries an uplifting message. Clerics plants love in the heart of people instead of hatred, because love is the food that nourishes coexistence, cooperation, peace and stability. Whereas, war is not consistent with the message of religions nor with the will of God.
A cleric is someone who speaks in the name of God and does what God wants. Hence, he should dare to say what others cannot. Otherwise, it would be disastrous, if the authority of the clergy deviates from the scope of advising good morals and spreading human and spiritual values.
Forming people is an inspirational mission, through education programs in the curriculum of religion and history in schools, Mosques, Churches, workshops, and media. Also, adopting a sound interpretation of the “sacred texts” in their historical, cultural and social contexts is necessary to close the door on those who interpret them outside their framework and “fill /wash” people’s minds with distorted interpretations. Thus, such an open and enlightened way, is enough to dismantle extremist ideology, combat terrorism, prepare the future, and ensure better conditions for human beings.

Kurdistan Region of Iraq forms committee to address Christian property disputes


Following a recommendation by Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) President Nechirvan Barzani, the Inquiry Committee on Christian Affairs has commenced its duties to address complaints regarding property disputes involving Chaldeans–Syriacs-Assyrians in northern Iraq.
Abdul Rahman Bilaf, head of the Committee at the KRI Ministry of Interior, affirmed, “The concerns of Christians will be heard based on the directive of the KRI president.”
Speaking to Kurdistan 24, Bilaf emphasized the significant role Christians have played in the liberation movement of the KRI, highlighting their sacrifices akin to those of the Kurds.
“The Baath regime [of Saddam Hussein] also perpetrated atrocities against Christians,” he added.
According to statistics from the Directorate of Christian Affairs at the KRI Ministry of Endowments, the Christian population in the KRI is estimated to range between 275,000 and 300,000 individuals.
Northern Iraq is home to 240 churches, shrines, and monasteries, located in cities and towns including Ankawa, Shaqlawa, Soran, Koy Sanjaq, Merke Sur, Sulaymaniyah, Nohadra (Duhok), Zakho, Amadiya, Akre, Sheikhan, Sarsank, Simele, Bamarni, Zawita, Barwari Bala, Deraluk, and Bakir.

7 maggio 2024

Cristiani in Iraq: esodo e rinascita. Incontro con Mons Felix Dawood Al Shabi


Persecuzione, esodo… e ora rinascita, dentro il filo della speranza. Si racchiude in queste poche parole la storia di una Chiesa, quella in Iraq, che ha attraversato gli ultimi vent’anni pagando duramente la fedeltà al Vangelo, fino al martirio.
Non si possono dimenticare, a questo proposito, il giovane parroco Ragheed Ganni, l’Arcivescovo di Mosul Paul Faraj Rahho, o i 58 fedeli uccisi durante una Messa a “Nostra Signora della Salvezza” di Baghdad. Una Chiesa, però, rimasta salda, «come albero piantato lungo l’acqua […], che non smette di produrre frutto» (Geremia 17,8), quel frutto che oggi si incomincia a vedere.
Era l’ottobre 2006 quando, in seguito alla fondazione dello Stato Islamico d’Iraq, divenuto poi Stato Islamico d’Iraq e Siria (ISIS), iniziava la più feroce oppressione degli ultimi cento anni contro una minoranza cristiana in Medio Oriente.
L’apice fu raggiunto tra il 2014 e il 2016 con alcune centinaia di miliziani, provenienti dalla Siria, che costrinsero gli abitanti dei villaggi della Piana di Ninive alla fuga immediata, dopo aver instaurato il Califfato a Mosul.
Ai cristiani fu dato l’ultimatum di convertirsi all’Islam, pagare una multa (500 dollari per adulto) o scappare. La morte era l’alternativa.
E così, fino al 2017, circa 120.000 persone sono vissute in campi profughi, come sfollati interni, mentre centinaia di chiese, edifici religiosi e scuole venivano distrutti o gravemente danneggiati. Sconfitto l’ISIS in Iraq, la vita per i cristiani è ricominciata, anche se solo metà dei rifugiati è rientrata nelle proprie case, preferendo gli altri stabilirsi in luoghi più sicuri e con maggiori possibilità (specialmente a Erbil), oppure emigrare negli Stati Uniti, in Australia, in Europa. A fronte di un milione di fedeli nel 2005 (circa 2,5% della popolazione totale) si è arrivati a non più di 250.000 (circa lo 0,4%).

E oggi? Qual è la situazione? Quali difficoltà permangono?
Il Centro culturale Paolo VI e la Parrocchia di San Fedele di Como, in collaborazione con la Fondazione di diritto pontificio “Aiuto alla Chiesa che Soffre”, propongono l’incontro Cristiani in Iraq. Esodo e rinascita, in programma mercoledì 8 maggio, alle ore 21, presso la basilica di San Fedele in Como.
Porterà la sua testimonianza il Vescovo di Zakho dei Caldei (Iraq), Sua Ecc.za Mons Felix Dawood Al Shabi.
Al termine, il dott. Maurizio Giammusso, referente di Aiuto alla Chiesa che Soffre – sezione di Milano, esporrà alcuni interventi umanitari, pastorali e di edilizia (scuole, asili, Università cattolica di Erbil), messi in atto dalla fondazione pontificia a sostegno della Chiesa in Iraq.
Solo nel 2023 sono stati finanziati ben 32 progetti di aiuto, per un valore complessivo di circa 1.300.000 euro. Ingresso libero.

Si raccolgono offerte a sostegno della Chiesa in Iraq.
Per informazioni: segreteria@ccpaolosesto.it