ASIA/IRAQ - I HOPE IRAQI COURTS WILL NOT TURN INTO TOOLS FOR REVENGE. RELIGIOUS LEADERS SHOULD PROMOTE THE LOGIC OF FORGIVENESS

Wednesday, 10 December 2003

AFGHANISTAN

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Baghdad (Fides Service)- “Only the logic of forgiveness can free Iraq from the spiral of violence” Father Nizar Semaan of Ninive diocese told Fides with regard to the latest terrorist attacks and bloodshed in Iraq. “The most concerning episode was the attack on the Sunni Mosque in Baghdad” Father Nizar told Fides. “This terrible crime against people in prayer is another sign that civil war may explode any moment.” On December 9 a bomb explosion in front of the Ahbab al-Mustafa Sunni Mosque killed three persons and injured two others. The blast occurred as people were leaving the mosque after morning prayer.
“In Iraq we are very concerned about the possible outbreak of civil war” Father Nizar told Fides. “We realise that the presence of foreign troops is necessary at this stage to prevent a conflict among Iraqis themselves. But all foreign troops here must be under the banner of the United Nations. I think this would help people to accept this foreign presence. More countries must be involved in rebuilding Iraq. The entire international community must make an effort to help the people of Iraq. ”.
“I am also perplexed about the manner in which crimes committed by the former regime are to be judged. I think the matter should be put in the hands of an international court. I would not like to see Iraqi Courts, even under American control, be turned into tools for revenge” Father Nizar told Fides.
“Moreover I think Iraqi religious leaders should promote the logic of forgiveness to free the country from the spiral of violence. People must realise that democracy needs solid foundations if it is to last. At the moment Iraq does not have these foundations. For the past 30 years we lived under a dictatorship so the country has no democratic tradition. Democracy is not only a system of government, it is a culture which must be assimilated and this takes time. But I am confident that as long as the international community does not abandon us, we Iraqis can build a democratic Iraq” Father Nizar concludes. (L.M.) (Fides Service10/12/2003, lines 31 words 383)