A Christmas of hope in Iraq despite trepidation
Iraq’s Christians have gone through a lot in the last few decades. This Christmas, ACN spoke with Christians in the Syriac Catholic town of Qaraqosh in the Nineveh Plain about their hopes for the future.
By ACN Staff
Pope Francis in the great Al-Tahira Syrian-Catholic church, Qaraqosh. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Many Christian families from the Nineveh Plain in Iraq have returned home in the last few years. ISIS had previously occupied the region during their 2014 offensive in northern Iraq. Several years after the military defeat of ISIS in Iraq, Christians in the area are still in a precarious position. This is the case for Christians in Qaraqosh, a largely Syriac Catholic town Nineveh Plain. Qaraqosh is one of the most historically important Christians towns in the region. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) spoke with four Syriac Catholics from Qaraqosh about their reflections during Christmas.
Father Istephanos al-Katib. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Father Istephanos al-Katib of St. Joseph’s Syriac Catholic church in Qaraqosh is joyful at the celebration of the birth of Our Lord. This is despite all of the issues impacting the local Christian population, as Father Istephanos explains:
“The continued presence of non-state militias that are above the law and are undermining means the continuation of killing, kidnapping, looting, robbery and corruption; there is the continuation of the deteriorating economic conditions and the spread of unemployment that is sweeping the country…Then there is the marginalisation of the rights of Christians by the state and the Constitution, the continued discrimination of Iraqis based on religion, sect and race; the application of Islamic law to all Iraqis in transactions and governance without taking into consideration religious diversity and the difference in laws between religions with regard to ownership, inheritance, etc.
“Meanwhile, ISIS militants are still operating in many areas. And armed factions beyond the government’s control have undue influence in society. Finally, there is the challenge of emigration, with so many—unable to find a comfortable life and a sense of dignity in their own country—looking to another country that can give them rights, security and stability.”
Namroud Kasha. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Namroud Kasha is a poet and journalist. He believes that things have improved in the last few years:
“The atmosphere of Christmas and New Year’s differed significantly from the past ten years. Ten years ago, celebrations were cancelled due to the security situation in Iraq and in the Nineveh Governorate in particular, where terrorist groups were killing and displacing Christians…We returned to our towns, which were destroyed and lifeless. The attention was focused on the reconstruction of the infrastructure and other damages. During the past three years, this black dust that covered our cities has been wiped away. Therefore, after the return and reconstruction, it is our right to celebrate a special Christmas and a new year.”
Amer Shamoun is also hopeful. The retired civil servant is keenly aware of the security threat to Christians and also the need for constitutional reform to make Iraqi Christians equal citizens:
“Hope is renewed at the beginning of each year for a future in which we will overcome the challenges that threaten our religious and national identity as well as the identity of our land. Thus, we would be able ensure the continuity of the Christian presence in our country.
“That renewed hope looks to strengthen Christians politically in accordance with our rights established in the Constitution and to activate these on the ground. We also must work on legislating other rights not yet established in the Constitution so far.
“Besides that hope, however, Christian pain is renewed due to the turbulent political and security conditions in Iraq. As a Christian people, we are part of the whole and perhaps we are most affected because we are a vulnerable people who love life.”
Amr Yalda. (Credit: Aid to the Church in Need)
Amr Yalda is a project manager at the Al-Tahreer Association for Development and human rights advocate. She, like most of Qaraqosh’s residents, is a Syriac Catholic. Her Christmas was marked by hope and faith, but also some fear about the future:
“With every celebration of the birth of Christ, we hope that peace will prevail in our towns. That peace is still our beautiful dream, and we are waiting for it to come true. With peace, most wishes come true, including security, love of neighbour and friend, and even justice in all its forms.
“However, I am afraid about the near future, especially because this Christmas coincided with calls for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, and there are signs of an economic crisis given the high exchange rate of the US dollar compared to the Iraqi dinar. We hope to God that there will be no demolishing storms to destroy what good hands and peace-seekers have participated in building.”
Iraq is a priority country for ACN in the Middle East. We have supported Iraq’s Christians in rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of ISIS. Please join us in prayer that Christians in Iraq can soon enjoy peace and security in their homeland.