Baghdad (Fides Service) - "Iraqi children want to go back to school" says Fr Nizar Semaan who works in the diocese of Ninive. "During the 20 days of the war I thought constantly of the children who could not sleep because of the intense bombing; and after the war I wondered what they would be doing since they have no video games or amusement parks to go to like children in the West" he said adding that he had a surprise. "When I spoke to the children last week they said <we want to go back to school>. Thinking of their desire I said that they are right. It is better not to worry about food or clothing, because the important thing for a truly democratic Iraq is a well educated generation, and schooling is an essential element for the birth of a new country".
"Today I am happy - Father Nizar says - three days ago schools opened again in my town Karakosh about 20 km from Mossul, with a population of about 25,000 Christians, and smiling pupils went back to their studies and the teachers set about their work with great love. This confirms the will of Christians to return to normal life as soon as possible. This is an important step in the building of a new Iraq. The will power demonstrated by the people in my town comes surely from the Risen Lord: he is the foundation of the hope and trust for a better Iraq". (Fides Service 28/4/2003 EM lines 21 Words: 277)