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revelationindia
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iraq.asp
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2004-09-27
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<title>RevelationIndia - Iraq's Christians</title>
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Iraq's Christians</font>
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700,000 Christians fear the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Shari'ah.
The political and constitutional future of Iraq is an immediate concern for Iraqi
Christians.According to Archbishop Sleiman of Baghdad, "If the influence and pressure
of extremist groups, which are regaining their vigour, increases in the future, I don't
know what kind of future can be envisioned."Christians in Iraq fear rule by the majority
Shia Muslim population. On 14 April Shia clerics made it clear that they wanted Iraq to
become an Islamic state governed according to Shari'ah. Judging by past events this does
not bode well for Christians, for in 1991 when the Shia rebelled against Saddam Hussein
in Basra the first district attacked was the Christian quarters of the city.
<BR><BR>
There is a danger that we Christians may have to choose between remaining in Iraq as
second-class citizens deprived of our rights, or leaving this land of our fathers.
We are sorry to see that while the Shiite gatherings were broadcast far and wide,
no media attention was given to Christians in Iraq who at the time were celebrating
Easter. While we are praying for peace and true freedom and democracy, our Shiite
Muslim brothers were chanting slogans for an Islamic state and a new war. I hope
the rest of the world will see the danger and continue to help Iraq become a truly
secular and democratic country were all groups are respected."
<BR><BR>
The Chaldean church recently issued a statement asking that any future Iraqi constitution
should guarantee them the right to, "profess our faith according to our ancient
traditions and our religious law, the right to educate our children according to
Christian principles, the right to freely assemble, to build our places of worship,
and our cultural and social centres according to our needs."
<BR><BR>
Half of Iraq's Christians live in and around Baghdad where looting and pillaging has
been rife since the city was taken over by US troops. Some churches, like other public
buildings, have been broken into and vandalised, adding to the damage of church property
that was sustained during the bombardment of Baghdad by the coalition forces.Despite
widespread fears, there have been no reported attacks on Christians by Muslims as a
result of the war, either in Iraq or other countries in the Islamic world. This is
probably partly due to the well publicised anti-war stance taken by many western
Christian leaders.
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