Under constant threat: Chaldean church in Mosul, Iraq after bombing in 2004

Following on from our report on the persecution of Christians by Iraqi Muslims the other day, when it comes to depraved violence against non-Muslims in Muslim countries is concerned, Islamists seldom disappoint. And, as usual with the anti-Christian aspect of  Jihad, the Western mainstream media is virtually silent:

The Chaldean Church of St. George and Syriac Orthodox Church of St. Thomas hit. One bomb was hidden in a cart carrying vegetables. The explosion killed a Chaldean Christian and two Muslims. The Archbishop of Kirkuk said that the attacks sent a “disturbing message” to Iraqi Christians two days before Christmas.

Two separate bombs struck yesterday morning in Mosul, the Chaldean church of St. George and Syriac Orthodox Church of St. Thomas. The death toll so far is of three dead – a Chaldean Christian and two Muslims – and several wounded. Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, speaks to AsiaNews of a “disturbing message” ahead of Christmas, keeping tensions high as well as fear of further violence in northern Iraq.

Sources for AsiaNews in Mosul confirm that “the situation for Christians continues to worsen, given that the Christians buildings are again being targeted by terrorists. The two churches hit are two old buildings, of great historical and cultural value”.

In the attack on the church of Saint George three people were killed: a Chaldean Christian and two Muslims, others were injured. Local witnesses report that the explosion was caused by “a cart of vegetables, filled with bombs.” From the initial reconstruction, it seems that the target of the attack was a police barracks in the district of Khazraj. In the last six weeks in Mosul four churches and a convent of Dominican nuns have been attacked. The explosions were caused by car bombs producing serious damage to buildings and adjacent homes, Christian and Muslim. Five Christians have been murdered and others have become victims of kidnapping for ransom. These targeted attacks testify to the “ethnic cleansing” in act against the Christian community throughout Iraq.

Louis Sako, archbishop of Kirkuk, believes today attacks are yet another “disturbing message” to two days before Christmas. These threats, stresses the prelate, “continue to influence the Christian community” that hopes “for peace” but is the victim of violence. “The message of peace and hope – reaffirms the archbishop of Kirkuk – announced by angels, remains our best wishes for Christmas for the entire country: we want to work together to build peace and hope in the hearts of all men and women of Iraq. “

The few mainstream media sources that are covering this story tend to be pursuing the ‘Al Qaeda’ angle; implying that it is outsiders that are attempting to destabilise Iraq ahead of upcoming elections.

Whilst this may be true in some instances, it also plays down the very real persecution that all Christians in all Muslim countries face from their Muslim-majority fellow citizens.

Christians, as dhimmis in Islamic societies, are very much treated as second class citizens – they are generally heavily dicriminated against and are seen as easy targets. Crimes against them are rarely investigated and rarer still, prosecuted.

Women are kidnapped, raped and force-converted to Islam, churches vandalised and priests threatened. In some countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, increasingly Indonesia and now post-Saddam Iraq, the persecution borders on genocide.

Please remember the plight of these people this Christmas, as they struggle to maintain their faith in the face of  a constant onslaught of prejudice, hatred and violence from the oppressive forces of Islamism.

Consider a donation of whatever you can afford to the Washington DC-based  is interdenominational human rights organisation,  International Christian Concern, in order to help alleviate their suffering. Go here to see how your donation can help.

[Source: Asia News]

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