Iraqi Christians, 20 Years On

 

Iraqi Christians 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  

But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also,  and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.  Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.  

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...

Matthew 5: 38-44 NRSVue

Iraqi Christians are threatened with extinction 20 years after the US-led invasion

This is the grim headline from an opinion piece by Natasha Dado published as part of the widespread journalistic response to the 20th anniversary of the commencement of the Iraqi War. 

The United States launched a "shock and awe" attack on Baghdad on the basis of faulty intelligence regarding "weapons of mass destruction" (they didn't exist.) The subsequent invasion of Iraq by the "Coalition of the Willing and the ouster of despot Saddam Hussein was declared a victory by President George W. Bush but proved to be a protracted disaster for the Iraqi people, undermined global confidence in the United States, and likely destabilized the region. 

Dado's piece describes the ancient history of Christians in Iraq and that this small minority group speaks Aramaic, the language. This subject is personal for her, with family members murdered and her mother's church bombed in 2010 with loss of life. Ironically, under Saddam Christians had felt safer and enjoyed more religious freedom and protections. In the lawless world created by the invasion Isis identified members of the faith by marking homes belonging to Christians with the letter “N” for Nazarene – Arabic for Christian.

As a Catholic Iraqi American, I have watched from afar as my culture and heritage slowly disappear. Indeed, since the start of the war, the Christian population has reportedly diminished by more than 80 per cent, from an estimated 1.5 million to 250,000, according to Christian leaders as well as NGO and media reports. More than 350 churches have been destroyed in attacks carried out by terrorists during this period.

The irony is that peace-seeking Iraqi Christians were made vulnerable to persecution and death by supposedly enlightened Christians seeking revenge for the 911 attacks which occurred half a world away. I am grateful that Prime Minister Jean Chretien was unwilling to involve Canada in this ill-fated war, despite the pressure and scorn.  

You may recall President Bush pronouncing the name of the country as "Eye-rack" even as he and American leaders were blind to what to the realities of the region and the havoc they were creating. Years later Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed regret for his part in the invasion, but few others have. 

The saying that "an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind" certainly applies here, don't you think? On this sombre anniversary we can pray for the Iraqi Christians who remain.