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CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LEADERS IN MIDDLE EAST CALL FOR PROTECTION AGAIN
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 22, 2011 - 16:07 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The development of the Arab spring are causing
concern to leaders of Eastern Christian communities, who have by
now started to openly express their fears with regard to an rise
in Islamic radicalism in the New Middle East, says a report in the
Assyrian International News Agency.
"The Arab Spring has created more Muslim militants," the Chaldean
Archbishop in Kirkuk, Iraq, Louis Sako said, pointing out the risk of
the thousand year old Middle Eastern culture of pluralism, crumbling.
But the West too has made a mistake: "Instead of trying to impose
the western model of democracy, they need to invest in youngsters'
education," Kirkuk's Chaldean spiritual leader commented.
Archbishop Sako has, already, on several occasions, made lively appeals
to the International community, asking it to protect Christians in
Iraq who "risk extinction". Indeed, "in Iraq, the number of Christians
continues to drop. They could disappear altogether as a result of
continuous persecution, threats and violence." Between America's
invasion of Iraq in 2003 and today, there have been attacks on about
sixty Churches; one bishop and three priests have been kidnapped and
killed; approximately a thousand innocent Christians have been killed
and hundreds of thousands forced to abandon their homes in search of
safety. This is why, "in Iraq and in other Countries, there is a risk
of the Christian community becoming extinct."
What is worrying the prelate the most is "the lack of a plan", when
Christians in Iraq and the Middle East have two options: "They can
either emigrate or accept life as second rate citizens amidst numerous
difficulties and fears." Hence the appeal: "We are in need of stronger
support from everyone, with a clear political vision and clearly set
out plans, not just to protect and encourage Christians to stay in
their country, but also to promote reconciliation among the Iraqis, and
human rights," as well as to "ensure governments respect the rules."
According to Monsignor Sako, "the international community needs to
assume responsibility" and "come to a mutual agreement with local
authorities" in order to guarantee equal protection and equality
between all citizens. The international community must also "help
emigrants to return" or, if this is not possible, they should help
them remain settled wherever they have found shelter.
From: A. Papazian
PanARMENIAN.Net
September 22, 2011 - 16:07 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The development of the Arab spring are causing
concern to leaders of Eastern Christian communities, who have by
now started to openly express their fears with regard to an rise
in Islamic radicalism in the New Middle East, says a report in the
Assyrian International News Agency.
"The Arab Spring has created more Muslim militants," the Chaldean
Archbishop in Kirkuk, Iraq, Louis Sako said, pointing out the risk of
the thousand year old Middle Eastern culture of pluralism, crumbling.
But the West too has made a mistake: "Instead of trying to impose
the western model of democracy, they need to invest in youngsters'
education," Kirkuk's Chaldean spiritual leader commented.
Archbishop Sako has, already, on several occasions, made lively appeals
to the International community, asking it to protect Christians in
Iraq who "risk extinction". Indeed, "in Iraq, the number of Christians
continues to drop. They could disappear altogether as a result of
continuous persecution, threats and violence." Between America's
invasion of Iraq in 2003 and today, there have been attacks on about
sixty Churches; one bishop and three priests have been kidnapped and
killed; approximately a thousand innocent Christians have been killed
and hundreds of thousands forced to abandon their homes in search of
safety. This is why, "in Iraq and in other Countries, there is a risk
of the Christian community becoming extinct."
What is worrying the prelate the most is "the lack of a plan", when
Christians in Iraq and the Middle East have two options: "They can
either emigrate or accept life as second rate citizens amidst numerous
difficulties and fears." Hence the appeal: "We are in need of stronger
support from everyone, with a clear political vision and clearly set
out plans, not just to protect and encourage Christians to stay in
their country, but also to promote reconciliation among the Iraqis, and
human rights," as well as to "ensure governments respect the rules."
According to Monsignor Sako, "the international community needs to
assume responsibility" and "come to a mutual agreement with local
authorities" in order to guarantee equal protection and equality
between all citizens. The international community must also "help
emigrants to return" or, if this is not possible, they should help
them remain settled wherever they have found shelter.
From: A. Papazian