Friday, August 10, 2007
Gunmen establish 'Islamic Emirate' in Doura
Security
(Azzaman) - The district of Doura in Baghdad is under the control of gunmen who have imposed their system of government based on strict interpretation of Islamic jurisdiction or Sharia. Amid the chaos in the area, described as one of Baghdad’s most violent, gunmen of all sorts and hues wreak havoc among the civilians, turning the district into an arena of murder and kidnapping.
The gunmen’s major target is Iraqi Christians in Doura which used to have a sizeable Christian minority, numerous churches and five monasteries. The gunmen have established what they call ‘the Islamic Emirate’ in the area where they apply by force their own interpretation of Islam. Christians who refuse to convert to Islam have either to leave or pay a hefty tax.
“We used to live here in peace, Muslim and Christians. Almost two years ago gunmen occupied Doura’s main street and spread their hegemony over the whole area. “They have forced Christian families to leave. They tell Christians if they do not become Muslims or pay head tax they must go. The area is under the gunmen’s control and I wonder where the government is,” said Jaafar Abdulsattar.
A Christian woman, wearing black and refusing to be named, said she and her family were forced to leave their house in Mekanic, a sub-district of Doura. “Before we were forced to leave, they (gunmen) had kidnapped my husband and taken his car. We still do not know what happened to him. Then they contacted us asking us to convert to Islam along with $10,000. Then they forced us to leave and we don’t know who now lives in our house,” she said.
Alias Toma Rafael, another Christian, said the gunmen kidnapped his son and threatened to kill him if he and his family did not leave. “Fearing their oppression, I left the house and the area,” Rafael said. Susan Boutros also had her husband kidnapped and to have him released the gunmen asked for $10,000. “I have two sons one of them is paralyzed. They took our house and we had to leave the area,” she said.
Isaac George was lucky to leave his house where he had lived for nearly 20 years without any member of his family being kidnapped or killed. Fawzi Abedsadda wonders whether any form of government authority apart from the Green Zone remains in Baghdad. “What are the authorities doing? Why do not they liberate our areas from these armed cliques,” he asked.
The gunmen’s major target is Iraqi Christians in Doura which used to have a sizeable Christian minority, numerous churches and five monasteries. The gunmen have established what they call ‘the Islamic Emirate’ in the area where they apply by force their own interpretation of Islam. Christians who refuse to convert to Islam have either to leave or pay a hefty tax.
“We used to live here in peace, Muslim and Christians. Almost two years ago gunmen occupied Doura’s main street and spread their hegemony over the whole area. “They have forced Christian families to leave. They tell Christians if they do not become Muslims or pay head tax they must go. The area is under the gunmen’s control and I wonder where the government is,” said Jaafar Abdulsattar.
A Christian woman, wearing black and refusing to be named, said she and her family were forced to leave their house in Mekanic, a sub-district of Doura. “Before we were forced to leave, they (gunmen) had kidnapped my husband and taken his car. We still do not know what happened to him. Then they contacted us asking us to convert to Islam along with $10,000. Then they forced us to leave and we don’t know who now lives in our house,” she said.
Alias Toma Rafael, another Christian, said the gunmen kidnapped his son and threatened to kill him if he and his family did not leave. “Fearing their oppression, I left the house and the area,” Rafael said. Susan Boutros also had her husband kidnapped and to have him released the gunmen asked for $10,000. “I have two sons one of them is paralyzed. They took our house and we had to leave the area,” she said.
Isaac George was lucky to leave his house where he had lived for nearly 20 years without any member of his family being kidnapped or killed. Fawzi Abedsadda wonders whether any form of government authority apart from the Green Zone remains in Baghdad. “What are the authorities doing? Why do not they liberate our areas from these armed cliques,” he asked.
Labels: Doura, Iraqi Christians, Sharia, the Islamic Emirate
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Mosul becomes focal point of Sunni Wahabi extremists
Insurgency
(AsiaNews) -- Mosul, north west Iraq, has now become "the principal focal point of Sunni wahabi extremism in Iraq", which aims to create an Islamic state at all costs in the zone and to re-establish the caliphate. This project is being supported by "outside countries". The alarm arrives from AsiaNews sources in Iraq, who warn: these fundamentalists believe to posses the only truth and this is why they aim to eliminate anyone who refuses to recognise this.
First among those are the Christians, but also Shiite Muslims. For the moment they content themselves with extorting money from their opponents, through kidnappings or the jizya -- the "compensation" tax demanded by the Koran from non-Muslim subjects -- but in time they will also begin to force them from their homes.
The violence which plagues Mosul's Christian community reached its' climax with the brutal murder of the Chaldean Priest Fr. Ragheed Gani and his three sub deacons June 3rd last following mass. But the violence persists. A married Chaldean has been in captivity for over a week; his family has already paid his ransom twice over, but have yet to receive news of his release.
The violence which plagues Mosul's Christian community reached its' climax with the brutal murder of the Chaldean Priest Fr. Ragheed Gani and his three sub deacons June 3rd last following mass. But the violence persists. A married Chaldean has been in captivity for over a week; his family has already paid his ransom twice over, but have yet to receive news of his release.
On August 3rd a command group of terrorists erupted into the home of Christian, Tamir Azoz, in the central Al-Hadba'a district, they wanted to take him away; eye witnesses tell that the well built man resisted, saying he would not leave his family alone abandoned to an unknown destiny and that in the end he was killed. "The small flock of Christians -- says a local diocesan priest -- is once again in the grips of fear and panic, they feel isolated".
Labels: Fr. Ragheed Gani, Iraqi Christians, jizya, Mosul, Wahabis
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Tribal leaders gunned down in Mosul
Security, Tribal
(Azzaman) - Three tribal leaders in the northern city of Mosul have been gunned down by unidentified assailants. Attacks on tribal chiefs in Iraq, particularly in the Sunni-dominated areas of central and northern Iraq have increased recently. The attacks come following reports that certain tribes were no longer willing to provide refuge for al-Qaeda-linked insurgents and some had mobilized their armed men to have them flushed from their areas.
But it seems the group is too strong to be beaten by Iraqi tribes and its members are reported to be murdering the chiefs of any tribe standing against them. In the northern city of Mosul, three leaders of major tribes have been killed. The first, Shaikh Khanim Ibrahim al-Sabaawi, was leader of the powerful al-Sabaawi tribe. Earlier unidentified gunmen had killed Khanim al-Hadi of al-Aqidat tribe and Ghazi al-Hanash of Tai tribe.
Reports that they were liquidated by al-Qaeda still need to be independently verified but eyewitnesses say the three chiefs were shot and killed by unknown assailants.
But it seems the group is too strong to be beaten by Iraqi tribes and its members are reported to be murdering the chiefs of any tribe standing against them. In the northern city of Mosul, three leaders of major tribes have been killed. The first, Shaikh Khanim Ibrahim al-Sabaawi, was leader of the powerful al-Sabaawi tribe. Earlier unidentified gunmen had killed Khanim al-Hadi of al-Aqidat tribe and Ghazi al-Hanash of Tai tribe.
Reports that they were liquidated by al-Qaeda still need to be independently verified but eyewitnesses say the three chiefs were shot and killed by unknown assailants.
Meantime, pressure on Iraqi Christians in Mosul is mounting with armed groups warning that they will either turn to Islam or leave. Mosul is one of Iraq’s main Christian centers. Many of the city’s numerous churches and monasteries have been abandoned with the largest portion of the nearly 150,000-Christian community forced to flee. Early this week, a priest and three deacons were killed as they left their church.
Labels: al-Aqidat tribe, al-Sabaawi tribe, Ghazi al-Hanash, Iraqi Christians, Khanim al-Hadi, Mosul, Shaikh Khanim Ibrahim al-Sabaawi, Tai tribe, tribal leaders
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Iraqi government pledges to protect Christians
Security
(AsiaNews) - The Iraqi government has expressed its solidarity to the Christians of Baghdad and has pledged to protect them. In a statement in English reported yesterday by the AINA news agency, a spokesman for the Iraqi government said that the "Iraqi Cabinet addressed the issue of threats and expulsions of Christian families in Baghdad by terrorist groups. The Cabinet expressed its full support to provide all necessary assistance needed to protect them, and provide any assistance to face this threat that is rejected by our orthodox Islamic religion and the forgiving Iraqi society, between all of its components--especially the relationship with our Christians brothers."
Iraqi Christians, both at home and abroad, have welcomed the government's statement, which they have been waiting for a long time following many complaints by bishops and the clergy. They note however that the statement is only about intentions and that it does not contain any concrete steps to limit the campaign of persecution directed at the Christian community in the capital and Mosul. These two cities are at present the most affected by violence, threats and abuses, including seizure of property and forced conversion to Islam.
Similarly, Muslims are coming to the defence of their 'Christian brothers' in two ways. On the one hand, there are secular groups, unarmed and with no political influence, who in Baghdad have organised some protection for persecuted Christian families, including giving them refuge in their own homes; on the other, there are Muslim religious leaders who are speaking out against bloodshed regardless of faith. This is the case of the secretary general to the grand mufti of Iraq who in a signed message said: "We hear with sadness and distress about what is happening to our Christian brothers in Iraq. We [. . .] incriminate the perpetrator (sic)."
A few days ago, Shia leader Hussain Sadr also spoke about the issue. In an interview to a Christian satellite channel, he expressed his solidarity vis-à-vis his "Christian" brothers and all of Iraq's minorities.
Iraqi Christians, both at home and abroad, have welcomed the government's statement, which they have been waiting for a long time following many complaints by bishops and the clergy. They note however that the statement is only about intentions and that it does not contain any concrete steps to limit the campaign of persecution directed at the Christian community in the capital and Mosul. These two cities are at present the most affected by violence, threats and abuses, including seizure of property and forced conversion to Islam.
Similarly, Muslims are coming to the defence of their 'Christian brothers' in two ways. On the one hand, there are secular groups, unarmed and with no political influence, who in Baghdad have organised some protection for persecuted Christian families, including giving them refuge in their own homes; on the other, there are Muslim religious leaders who are speaking out against bloodshed regardless of faith. This is the case of the secretary general to the grand mufti of Iraq who in a signed message said: "We hear with sadness and distress about what is happening to our Christian brothers in Iraq. We [. . .] incriminate the perpetrator (sic)."
A few days ago, Shia leader Hussain Sadr also spoke about the issue. In an interview to a Christian satellite channel, he expressed his solidarity vis-à-vis his "Christian" brothers and all of Iraq's minorities.
Labels: Hussain Sadr, Iraqi Christians, Iraqi government
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Iraqi Christians call on the government to protect them
Security, Religion
(AFP) - The leaders of Iraq's Christian minority on Thursday called on the country's beleaguered government to protect their community from attacks by Al Qaeda-inspired Muslim extremists. In a joint statement, Patriarch Mar Dinka IV of the Catholic Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Emmanuel Delly of Babylon said Baghdad's remaining Christians were facing persecution. They blamed the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq", an alliance of Islamist insurgent groups that serves as an Al-Qaeda front, for much of the violence.
"Christians in a number of Iraqi regions, especially those under the control of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq, have faced blackmail, kidnapping and displacement," the statement said.
The churchmen expressed surprise that Al-Qaeda's influence has "reached parts of Baghdad while the government has kept silent and not taken a firm stance to stop their expansion."
Before the US invasion in March 2003 there were estimated to be around 800,000 Christians in Iraq, around three percent of the otherwise largely Muslim population, living mainly in urban centres such as Baghdad.
Although there were some attacks on churches in the immediate aftermath of the fall of
Saddam Hussein, Iraq's Christians were not especially targeted while rival Sunni and Shiite Muslim factions went to war. As a relatively wealthy community, however, many Christians fell prey to kidnap and ransom gangs and many -- probably more than half -- of them have fled the country or moved to the relative safety of Iraqi Kurdistan. Now there are reports that Salafist groups such as Al-Qaeda, fundamentalists who believe Islam can be renewed by returning to the values of the era of the Prophet Mohammed, are targeting Christians on purely sectarian grounds.
In recent weeks a "fatwa" or Muslim religious decree has been issued by extremists ordering Christians to flee Dura, a southern suburb of Baghdad which is a hotbed of Sunni insurgent groups. In addition to calling on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government to protect them, the patriarchs also urged the United Nations to intervene.
"Christians in a number of Iraqi regions, especially those under the control of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq, have faced blackmail, kidnapping and displacement," the statement said.
The churchmen expressed surprise that Al-Qaeda's influence has "reached parts of Baghdad while the government has kept silent and not taken a firm stance to stop their expansion."
Before the US invasion in March 2003 there were estimated to be around 800,000 Christians in Iraq, around three percent of the otherwise largely Muslim population, living mainly in urban centres such as Baghdad.
Although there were some attacks on churches in the immediate aftermath of the fall of
Saddam Hussein, Iraq's Christians were not especially targeted while rival Sunni and Shiite Muslim factions went to war. As a relatively wealthy community, however, many Christians fell prey to kidnap and ransom gangs and many -- probably more than half -- of them have fled the country or moved to the relative safety of Iraqi Kurdistan. Now there are reports that Salafist groups such as Al-Qaeda, fundamentalists who believe Islam can be renewed by returning to the values of the era of the Prophet Mohammed, are targeting Christians on purely sectarian grounds.
In recent weeks a "fatwa" or Muslim religious decree has been issued by extremists ordering Christians to flee Dura, a southern suburb of Baghdad which is a hotbed of Sunni insurgent groups. In addition to calling on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government to protect them, the patriarchs also urged the United Nations to intervene.
Labels: Al Qaeda in Iraq, Doura, Iraqi Christians, Islamic State of Iraq, of Iraq, Patriarch Emmanuel Delly of Babylon, Patriarch Mar Dinka IV, U.N.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Christians being forced into exile after facing threats to convert
Religion, Politics, Security
(AKI) -- Christians in Iraqi are facing a mounting number of threats forcing them into exile, a Christian parliamentarian in Iraq's Kurdistan region says. "Thousands of Christian families are being told to leave the country or convert to Islam or pay the jizyah (a tax traditionally imposed on non-Muslim men in Islamic states," the parliamentarian, Romeo Hakkari told Adnkronos International (AKI). An ethnic Assyrian of the Chaldean Church - a Roman Catholic oriental rite denomination - Hakkari heads the House of the Two Rivers Democratic Party, which promotes the rights of Assyrian-Chaldeans.
According to Hakkari, many Christians living in Mosul and Baghdad have fled those cities and sought refuge either in remote parts of Iraqi Kurdistan or abroad after receiving threats from Islamists. He cited the example of pamphlets, purportedly distributed by the al-Qaeda-linked "Islamic State of Iraq" group that threatened to kill Christians if they did not abandon the city.
The Muslim extremists have also tried to revive the jizyah practice, which forced non-Muslism people "of the Book" (Christians and Jews) to buy protection from the authorities by paying the tax. "Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime Christians in Iraq, and in particular Baghdad have faced persecution for the first time in the history of this country," Hakkari told AKI.
"Hundreds of Christians have been abducted and murdered and their churches have been destroyed as part of a detailed plan implemented by Muslim extremists," he said. Hakkari has appealed to all moderate political groups in Iraq to "work together to defeat the terrorists and ensure that all Iraqis live in harmony as they have done for centuries."
Iraq's Christian community was estimated to number nearly half a million or about 5 percent of the country's population on the eve of the 2003 US-led war that toppled Saddam. Thousands of Iraqi Christians who comprise a variety of churches - Assyrian Orthodox and Assyrian Catholic; Syrian Orthodox and Syrian Catholic; Armenian Orthodox and Armenian Catholic; Greek Orthodox, Latin Catholic, and Protestant denominations - have since fled the strife-torn country.
According to Hakkari, many Christians living in Mosul and Baghdad have fled those cities and sought refuge either in remote parts of Iraqi Kurdistan or abroad after receiving threats from Islamists. He cited the example of pamphlets, purportedly distributed by the al-Qaeda-linked "Islamic State of Iraq" group that threatened to kill Christians if they did not abandon the city.
The Muslim extremists have also tried to revive the jizyah practice, which forced non-Muslism people "of the Book" (Christians and Jews) to buy protection from the authorities by paying the tax. "Since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime Christians in Iraq, and in particular Baghdad have faced persecution for the first time in the history of this country," Hakkari told AKI.
"Hundreds of Christians have been abducted and murdered and their churches have been destroyed as part of a detailed plan implemented by Muslim extremists," he said. Hakkari has appealed to all moderate political groups in Iraq to "work together to defeat the terrorists and ensure that all Iraqis live in harmony as they have done for centuries."
Iraq's Christian community was estimated to number nearly half a million or about 5 percent of the country's population on the eve of the 2003 US-led war that toppled Saddam. Thousands of Iraqi Christians who comprise a variety of churches - Assyrian Orthodox and Assyrian Catholic; Syrian Orthodox and Syrian Catholic; Armenian Orthodox and Armenian Catholic; Greek Orthodox, Latin Catholic, and Protestant denominations - have since fled the strife-torn country.
Labels: Adnkronos International, AKI, Iraqi Christians, Islamic State of Iraq, jizyah, Romeo Hakkari
