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Assyrian International News Agency (AINA)
July 31 2014
Christian Groups to Rally for Protection in Iraq
By Susan Abram
http://www.contracostatimes.com
Posted 2014-07-31 10:37 GMT
Across the ancient cities and villages of Iraq, an "N" word also is
used out of hate.
Members of the extremist group known as ISIS spray paint the letter
"N" in blazing red on the homes of those they deem different. Scrawled
in Arabic and pronounced "noon," the N stands for Nazarene, or
follower of Christ, and to an outsider, it may look like a happy face.
But ISIS uses it as a mark of death. It warns Christian families who
live in those homes to convert to Islam, pay a hefty tax, or prepare
to die.
"There is a Christian genocide happening in Northern Iraq and no one
is doing anything about it" said Delilah George, a 31-year-old
Assyrian woman and Valley Village resident. "My people are
experiencing unspeakable horror and grief at the hands of these
radicals."
Since the takeover in June of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIS has targeted the
Christian population, whose faith has been present for almost 2,000
years. In the last two weeks, Assyrians were forced to leave their
ancestral homeland under the threat of death. Many have been beaten,
robbed and brutalized, or killed along the way as they search for a
safe haven.
The sadness, frustration with the lack of public awareness and even
anger has prompted George and countless Assyrians to hold a rally
Saturday at the Federal Building in Los Angeles. Dubbed "Demand for
Action," the Los Angeles event is one of nearly 40 worldwide to be
held also on Saturday across the United States, Europe, the Middle
East and Australia.
"What I am is sad and very frustrated that there is an ethnic
cleansing occurring on our homeland and no one is talking about it,"
said Nuri Kino, an investigative journalist and author from Sweden
whose work has led him to become an activist.
Kino founded Demand for Action, which has taken off on social media,
reaching Assyrians worldwide. At its heart, the Demand for Action is a
rallying call to the United Nations to ensure that the Christian
communities of Iraq are given safe haven in the Nineveh Plains, Kino
said.
That the issue hasn't garnered much attention in the West doesn't
surprise Amir Hussain, a professor of theology at Loyola Marymount
University. He said the West can't seem to grasp that there are
Christians living outside of Europe and the Americas.
"We don't pay attention to minority communities in general, and often
lump all people in the Middle East as 'Arabs' or as 'Muslims,' "
Hussain said. "In fact, many people in the Middle East are neither
Muslim nor Arab. I remind my students that Jesus never went to Rome.
He stayed in the Middle East, mostly in Israel and Palestine.
Palestinian Christians pride themselves on coming from the same place
as "the Man from Galilee".
Hussain said the West should care what's happening to Christians in
the Middle East for several reasons.
"First, simply, because it is taking place,' Hussain said. "'Injustice
anywhere,' as Dr. King reminded us, 'is a threat to justice
everywhere.' These people are fellow Christians for the majority of
people in the West. These Christians are some of the oldest Christian
communities in the world."
At least 1,500 people are expected to attend the Los Angeles rally.
Organizers said Chaldeans, Armenians, Copts and other Middle Eastern
Christians who have seen their homeland's churches bombed and their
religious symbols desecrated under extremism, also are participating
and people of many faiths and backgrounds have pledged their support.
"Our supporters see this as a crime against humanity," said Sandra
Assaker, 27. "It's not about one religion or ethnicity. That's why we
are all coming together."
Several organizers gathered at Assaker's home Wednesday to prepare
signs and banners. The signs include the Arabic letter N in red.
Assaker and her friends marveled at the fact that it has been modern
social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, that has revived an
ancient people's struggle. One of the Twitter handles that has taken
off recently is #WeAreN.
"We're taking this symbol back," Delilah George said. "We're proud to
be Christians."
The Demand For Action rally will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the
Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
http://www.aina.org/news/20140731063758.htm
From: Baghdasarian
July 31 2014
Christian Groups to Rally for Protection in Iraq
By Susan Abram
http://www.contracostatimes.com
Posted 2014-07-31 10:37 GMT
Across the ancient cities and villages of Iraq, an "N" word also is
used out of hate.
Members of the extremist group known as ISIS spray paint the letter
"N" in blazing red on the homes of those they deem different. Scrawled
in Arabic and pronounced "noon," the N stands for Nazarene, or
follower of Christ, and to an outsider, it may look like a happy face.
But ISIS uses it as a mark of death. It warns Christian families who
live in those homes to convert to Islam, pay a hefty tax, or prepare
to die.
"There is a Christian genocide happening in Northern Iraq and no one
is doing anything about it" said Delilah George, a 31-year-old
Assyrian woman and Valley Village resident. "My people are
experiencing unspeakable horror and grief at the hands of these
radicals."
Since the takeover in June of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or ISIS has targeted the
Christian population, whose faith has been present for almost 2,000
years. In the last two weeks, Assyrians were forced to leave their
ancestral homeland under the threat of death. Many have been beaten,
robbed and brutalized, or killed along the way as they search for a
safe haven.
The sadness, frustration with the lack of public awareness and even
anger has prompted George and countless Assyrians to hold a rally
Saturday at the Federal Building in Los Angeles. Dubbed "Demand for
Action," the Los Angeles event is one of nearly 40 worldwide to be
held also on Saturday across the United States, Europe, the Middle
East and Australia.
"What I am is sad and very frustrated that there is an ethnic
cleansing occurring on our homeland and no one is talking about it,"
said Nuri Kino, an investigative journalist and author from Sweden
whose work has led him to become an activist.
Kino founded Demand for Action, which has taken off on social media,
reaching Assyrians worldwide. At its heart, the Demand for Action is a
rallying call to the United Nations to ensure that the Christian
communities of Iraq are given safe haven in the Nineveh Plains, Kino
said.
That the issue hasn't garnered much attention in the West doesn't
surprise Amir Hussain, a professor of theology at Loyola Marymount
University. He said the West can't seem to grasp that there are
Christians living outside of Europe and the Americas.
"We don't pay attention to minority communities in general, and often
lump all people in the Middle East as 'Arabs' or as 'Muslims,' "
Hussain said. "In fact, many people in the Middle East are neither
Muslim nor Arab. I remind my students that Jesus never went to Rome.
He stayed in the Middle East, mostly in Israel and Palestine.
Palestinian Christians pride themselves on coming from the same place
as "the Man from Galilee".
Hussain said the West should care what's happening to Christians in
the Middle East for several reasons.
"First, simply, because it is taking place,' Hussain said. "'Injustice
anywhere,' as Dr. King reminded us, 'is a threat to justice
everywhere.' These people are fellow Christians for the majority of
people in the West. These Christians are some of the oldest Christian
communities in the world."
At least 1,500 people are expected to attend the Los Angeles rally.
Organizers said Chaldeans, Armenians, Copts and other Middle Eastern
Christians who have seen their homeland's churches bombed and their
religious symbols desecrated under extremism, also are participating
and people of many faiths and backgrounds have pledged their support.
"Our supporters see this as a crime against humanity," said Sandra
Assaker, 27. "It's not about one religion or ethnicity. That's why we
are all coming together."
Several organizers gathered at Assaker's home Wednesday to prepare
signs and banners. The signs include the Arabic letter N in red.
Assaker and her friends marveled at the fact that it has been modern
social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, that has revived an
ancient people's struggle. One of the Twitter handles that has taken
off recently is #WeAreN.
"We're taking this symbol back," Delilah George said. "We're proud to
be Christians."
The Demand For Action rally will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the
Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
http://www.aina.org/news/20140731063758.htm
From: Baghdasarian