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IRAQ: EP LETTER, MGR. NONA (MOSUL), “STIMULUS TO THE POLITICAL WORLD”
- Dettagli
- Creato: 15 Dicembre 2010
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The Iraqi bishops expressed their appreciation for the message of solidarity the European Parliament addressed to the Christians in the Middle East (click here). The message was handed over to their delegation in Strasbourg today. “This is an important sign that I hope will be a stimulus to the Iraqi political world so that the necessary measures are taken to protect the Christian minority”, Archbishop Emil Shimoun Nona of Mosul - one of the Iraqi cities most targeted by anti-Christian violence - told SIR. In fact, he explained, “Christians are full-fledged citizens and have the same rights as people of other faiths. I believe – he added – that it is important that this letter be addressed to all Christians who are affected by the lack of religious freedom in the Middle East”.
According to Mgr. Louis Sako, Archbishop of Kirkuk, “it is praiseworthy that the letter places emphasis on the issues of human rights and religious freedom. There is a need for a change in mentality to overcome this lack. No faith can be submitted to another”. Nevertheless, he told SIR, “the problem is both religious and political. Many attacks are politically motivated; they are not organised by extremists only. We have to investigate who is behind these criminal acts and why. The message of the European Parliament is a big step forward because it can raise political awareness about the issue. The European Parliament and the international community should help the Iraqi authorities shed light on these crimes. Declarations of intent are not enough. There is a need for cooperation in the training of police officers and the army, for instance, so that they may ensure better protection for citizens”. “In Iraq – he concluded – there exists an ideological and sectarian division. Our political leaders, be they Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish, Arab or Christian, should understand that they sit in Parliament not to pursue the interests of their own party or ethnic group, but that of the whole country”.
© SIR - december 15th 2010
According to Mgr. Louis Sako, Archbishop of Kirkuk, “it is praiseworthy that the letter places emphasis on the issues of human rights and religious freedom. There is a need for a change in mentality to overcome this lack. No faith can be submitted to another”. Nevertheless, he told SIR, “the problem is both religious and political. Many attacks are politically motivated; they are not organised by extremists only. We have to investigate who is behind these criminal acts and why. The message of the European Parliament is a big step forward because it can raise political awareness about the issue. The European Parliament and the international community should help the Iraqi authorities shed light on these crimes. Declarations of intent are not enough. There is a need for cooperation in the training of police officers and the army, for instance, so that they may ensure better protection for citizens”. “In Iraq – he concluded – there exists an ideological and sectarian division. Our political leaders, be they Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish, Arab or Christian, should understand that they sit in Parliament not to pursue the interests of their own party or ethnic group, but that of the whole country”.
© SIR - december 15th 2010