Baghdad (Fides Service) - "While international media describe Shiite gatherings in Karbala as manifestations of victory, democracy and freedom, we, as Iraqi Christians, are very concerned about the future of our country" Father Nizar Semaan in Ninive diocese tells Fides Service. "The journalists reporting the events did not fully understand the situation and what a demonstration of this sort actually meant. We see these events with apprehension, not because we are against freedom of belief and religion which we want as the foundation for the new Iraq, but because we are familiar with the mentality and culture of Shiite Muslims and we know that what they want is a theocratic Iraq founded on Islamic Law."
"There is a danger - Father Nizar says - that we Christians may have to choose between remaining in Iraq as second class citizens deprived of our rights, or leaving this land of our fathers. We were sorry to see that while the Shiite gatherings were broadcast far and wide, no media attention was given to Christians in Iraq who at the time were celebrating Easter. While we were praying for peace and true freedom and democracy, our Shiite Muslim brothers were chanting slogans for an Islamic state (which respects no other religion) and a new war. I hope the rest of the world will see the danger and continue to help Iraq become a truly secular and democratic country where all groups are respected." LM (Fides Service 25/4/2003 EM lines 24 Words: 283)