Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – “Repeated declarations by Shiite leaders calling for a Muslim state in Iraq are an offence to the rights of minorities in Iraq” says Father Nizar Semaan of Ninive diocese in northern Iraq. “These declarations show lack of respect for the rights not only of minorities but also the rights of Muslims who want a secular state.”
“Christians and other minorities in Iraq are ever more concerned about the spread of fundamentalism among Sunni and Shiite Muslims. The International community must help us found an authentic democracy in Iraq. First of all the people must be guaranteed jobs and essential services, water, electricity, health care, education. To eliminate violence the only way is to help the Iraqi people see the end of the tunnel into which they were thrown by years of war and sanctions” says Far Nizar.
Despite the present difficulties Christians in Iraq have not lost hope. “In my village near Mosul in recent weeks we have celebrated several weddings: young Christians believe in the future, they want to stay in Iraq and help build its future” says Fr Nizar. “Life is gradually returning to normal, schools are open. In fact the Temporary administration has guaranteed the payment of teachers’ wages. But the problem of text books remains. They are still old ones printed by the regime. For the moment all that has been done is to remove the photo of Saddam Hussein, but it is clear that we must have new school books to form future citizens in a truly democratic Iraq. LM (Fides Service 15/10/2003 EM lines 27 Words: 340)
