1,350 Christian Families Fled Mosul, Iraq In The Past Week

[Madame Vengier]

But don't worry--it was just a "small minority of Muslim radicals" that sent them running. Nothing to worry about. I mean, it's not like Muslims have ever taken over a Christian village, city, country, or continent before.


[quote]BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- [b]The number of Christian families who have fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in the past week has reached 1,350, authorities said Wednesday.[/b]

Nineveh Deputy Governor Khasro Goran said the new numbers were provided by the provincial city's office of immigration and displaced persons.

[b]The families fled, reportedly frightened by a series of killings and threats by Muslim extremists ordering them to convert to Islam or face possible death, Iraqi officials said.[/b]

[b]Fourteen Christians have been slain in the past two weeks in the city, which is located about 260 miles (420 kilometers) north of Baghdad.[/b]

In response to the attacks, authorities ordered more checkpoints in several of the city's Christian neighborhoods.

The attacks may have been prompted by Christian demonstrations ahead of provincial elections, which are to be held by January 31, 2009, authorities said.

Hundreds of Christians took to the streets in Mosul and surrounding villages and towns, demanding adequate representation on provincial councils, whose members will be chosen in the local elections.

One family -- a husband and wife with four children -- fled the Sukkr neighborhood of Mosul last Thursday to stay with relatives in a town north of the city.

The wife, who refused to give her name out of fear of reprisals, [b]insisted that the family leave the house where they had lived for the past 22 years because they had heard friends had been killed.[/b]

She said neighbors encouraged them to stay but they were too frightened.

The family told relatives in Bashiqa, about 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Mosul, they did not know why the violence against Christians was happening.

The relative said the family was disappointed and frustrated by the government's lack of action.

"We are not sure if we will go back again," said the wife, who worked as a nurse at a hospital . "We are still waiting for the government to provide us safety."

She said her husband is a businessman and their children range in age from 3 to 14.

A curfew was declared Wednesday in several neighborhoods of eastern Mosul as authorities searched for militants behind the attacks.

Iraqi president Jalal Talabani met with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker on Sunday to discuss security, and Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi held a news conference with a group of local priests and bishops.

[b]"The state, its security services and armed forces must take one stand so they can do their part in these conditions and protect our Christian brothers because they are our partners in rebuilding this nation," al-Hashemi said.[/b]

Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced Wednesday that coalition forces recently killed al Qaeda in Iraq's senior leader in northern Iraq.

Abu Qaswarah, also known as Abu Sara, was killed during an operation in Mosul on October 5, the military said.

The Moroccan native is second in command to al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri, according to the military.[/quote]

Source: [url="http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/10/15/iraq.christians.mosul/index.html"]http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/10/15/...osul/index.html[/url]

Well, the Iraqi government hasn't done anything to protect the Christians so far, so I'm not holding my breath.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Madame Vengier

[homeschoolmom]

I'll bet they were demanding a prayer room at the local university.

[homeschoolmom]

Prayers.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1679340' date='Oct 16 2008, 05:50 PM']I'll bet they were demanding a prayer room at the local university. [/quote]


Haha.

Seriously though. In countries outside the West, where Christians live in Islamic countries, it's a struggle for them just to go to Church, just for women to walk down the street unveiled. What's really sad is that Iraq is THEIR homeland, not the Muslims. These Christians have been in Iraq since St. Thomas the Apostle bright the Gospel to ancient Mesopotamia. Iraq is an historically CHRISTIAN land, not a Muslim one. And it looks like now, after 1,400 years, the Muslims are finally ridding Iraq of the last of the Christians.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Madame Vengier

[CatherineM]

In a generation, there may be no Christians in any of the Middle East or Holy Lands.

[hoosieranna]

Prayers for those families.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1679386' date='Oct 16 2008, 06:59 PM']In a generation, there may be no Christians in any of the Middle East or Holy Lands.[/quote]


True. Nor will there be Jews in Israel. Or even a place called Israel. I don't know where else the Jews can go at this point.

[Seven77]

shall we pray?

[Selah]

[quote]In a generation, there may be no Christians in any of the Middle East or Holy Lands.[/quote]

I don't believe that for a second.

[Hassan]

[quote name='Selah' post='1679466' date='Oct 16 2008, 09:27 PM']I don't believe that for a second.[/quote]

Me neither

but the situation for Christians in Iraq is grim. It is a shame MV decided to use their suffering in such a way but there you go. The situation in Iraq is preaty grim for everyone, but naturally the Christians being a minority religion have an especially dangerous situation.

IMO

[Hassan]

[quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1679421' date='Oct 16 2008, 07:36 PM']True. Nor will there be Jews in Israel. Or even a place called Israel. I don't know where else the Jews can go at this point.[/quote]


Are you serious?

Israeli is the super power of the middle east backed by the global superpower. The have a great airforce and an arsenal of nukes.

Where can the Jews go?

perhapse Florida?


What makes you think Israel is going to be gone?

[Fidei Defensor]

This is sad news indeed.

However, what I take issue with are the unnecessary comments like "purging the land of infidels." It's unnecessary and only reflects the way in which MV views all Muslims.

[CatherineM]

Some of the restrictions on the Christians in the Holy Land are not being enforced by Muslims. Cardinal Foley, who became Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher a little over a year ago, has made many public statements on the matter. Here's a [url="http://www.romereports.com/index.php?lnk=700&id=865"]LINK[/url] to one, and a [url="http://www.ffhl.org/newsmanagerdotnet/templates/news.aspx?articleid=183"]LINK[/url] to another.

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='fidei defensor' post='1679503' date='Oct 16 2008, 10:08 PM']It's unnecessary and only reflects the way in which MV views all Muslims.[/quote]

So this is what you mean by "I have more important things to do and can no longer debate politics."

[Fidei Defensor]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1679517' date='Oct 16 2008, 08:29 PM']So this is what you mean by "I have more important things to do and can no longer debate politics."[/quote]
I am going to put this as nicely as possible:

Do you have some kind of problem with me? If you do, please state it. I would PM you but my rights to use anything around here are greatly restricted because of my classification. I don't mind you disagreeing with me, but you never disagree with what I have to say, rather, you are constantly making remarks about me. I pointed out what I had a problem with in this thread about unnecessary comments. I agree that this story is very troubling, but I think it's inappropriate to add the comments she did.

Now, I would very much appreciate it if you'd stop harassing me and tell me what it is exactly that you disagree with me about. If you have nothing constructive to say, then by all means, leave me alone. If you have something to debate, then please, do share. I am more than open to discussion. Passive aggressive comments, however, are not helpful.