Arab Group Press Release on Iraq Christians
The “Arab Group for Muslim – Christian Dialogue” has been following with great pain and concern the distress of the Christians of Iraq, especially in Mosul where attacks have displaced more than a thousand Christian families, and denounces those practices, which contradict with the simplest human values and rights, and with freedom of belief.
The “Arab Group for Muslim – Christian Dialogue” has been following with great pain and concern the distress of the Christians of Iraq, especially in Mosul where attacks have displaced more than a thousand Christian families, and denounces those practices, which contradict with the simplest human values and rights, and with freedom of belief.
Members of the Arab Group, each from his/her country, are working on urging political and religious authorities to contribute in finding a prompt solution for the human catastrophe occurring in Iraq generally, and in Mosul in particular. They consider that an escalation of this tragedy could lead to emptying Iraq of its Christian population, which would be a deadly blow to the Arab Muslim – Christian model of coexistence, which has existed since the emergence of Islam until today, in contrast to certain western thinkers who claim that the world has entered a phase of civilization, cultural and religious clashes. Such an escalation would also destroy the diversity model, be it religious, cultural, or political, which would not only affect Christians but also several confessional and ethnical minorities and could as well move to other countries.
Christians of today’s Iraq are heirs of an oriental Christianity with a unique history linked to the very beginnings of Christianity. They also are an integral component of the Iraqi people. Christianity in Mesopotamia exists due to the efforts of Saint Thomas the Apostle. The first Churches in northern Mosul were built during the second century. However, the brightest pages in that history were written during the first decades of Islam, mainly in the Abbasid era where Iraqi Christians enriched Arab culture and science with original contributions in translation, medicine, and philosophy.
The Arab Group, whilst it works and hopes that the Christians of Iraq will overcome their plight and live peacefully in their country, praises the Iraqi Muslim authorities position and calls Muslim authorities of the world to take proper measures to prevent the danger that is threatening Iraq through its Christian population, and avoid its extension into other countries. Moreover, it appeals the Iraqi government to work hard to stop the attacks and for the emigrants to return to their homes.
In this regard, the Arab Group seconds the words of His Eminence Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly, Chaldean Patriarch of Babylon: “We lived for 14 centuries under the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood sharing life and building our beloved nation together. We must not surrender to the dark forces coming from outside to destroy our national unity”…
Beirut, October 17, 2008
|
Judge Abbas Al Halabi |
Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour Secretary General of the Arab Group for Muslim – Christian Dialogue |