Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Fides Service) - After a week’s strike to protest threats and violence against Christians on the part of Islamic fundamentalists (see Fides 21 October 2004) Christian university students in Mosul have returned to their studies. “They refuse to lose the year just because some people are using violence to throw the country back into ignorance and submission” Father Nizar Semaan in Mosul told Fides. “Not to miss classes, the Christian girl students, the most threatened, decided on a compromise. Instead of wearing the veil as soon as they go out, they will keep it in their bags and only put it on in case of danger” the priest explained. “We don’t like this compromise but the girls are determined to continue their studies and we hope the violence and intimidation will stop soon because we do not intend to make more compromises which gradually restrict our people’s freedom”.
“Girls are subject to continual psychological terrorism. A man appears suddenly at the doors of the university, churches, mosques with leaflets bearing threats. Then with the same rapidity he disappears. The leaflets threaten women, telling them to wear the veil, Christian girls in particular” Father Nizar told Fides.
“This is a cultural and psychological massacre. Not only bombs can kill, not only physical violence but also moral violence kills. Most of the girls come from small villages and university for them is a conquest, newly gained freedom. Now many are frightened and are anxious to return home” Father Nizar told Fides.
“The authorities do their best to stop the terrorists. The rector continues to say that girls are not obliged to wear a veil. Local Christians have organised meeting with heads of Arab-Muslim and Kurd villages to find a common strategy to stop the violence. Muslims are also victims of violence” the priest told Fides.
“These extremists are only a few thousand but they are well organised and financed by rich foreign Wahabit families. Their stronghold is in Mosul where people hope that the security forces will launch an attack to restore peace and harmony in this martyred city”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2004 righe 38 parole 466)
