The need for reconciliation

Jordan Times Editorial

The recent attacks on churches in Iraq belonging to Chaldean, Assyrian, Armenian and Catholic denominations represents an ominous turn of events in Iraq, sending the message that no one is being spared in the spiralling chaos that is Iraq today.

The five car bombs detonated outside five churches in Baghdad and Mosul define a new target for those fanning the flames of instability in Iraq. This deliberate attempt to spark yet another sectarian conflict comes at the worst possible time, when religious rivalry and tensions between the Shiite and Sunni Iraqis have reached new heights.

There is no doubt that those behind the attacks seek to sow distrust among all ethnic and religious groups in Iraq for the ultimate purpose of further weakening the country and having it fall prey to their distorted aims.

The Christian community in Iraq has long been active in the society and contributed a great deal to the country's development on all fronts. There are still around 800,000 Christians living in this Arab country. Many others emigrated, seeking better living conditions. It would be a tragedy if more Christian Iraqis were forced to flee their homeland to secure sanctuary in Western countries.

Although Roman Catholic Chaldean Patriarch Rev. Emmanuel Delly, spoke steadfastly about the unity of Christians and Muslims in Iraq following Sunday's attacks, more effort must be exerted to prevent any further attacks on Christians and their centres of worship.

Arab governments, including the Iraqi interim government, must condemn the recent wave of violence in the strongest possible terms. All religious communities, especially the Muslims within and outside Iraq, should issue an immediate warning to the attackers to stop the carnage.

It must be remembered that Iraq has been a model of tolerance and peaceful coexistence for its Muslim and Christian communities. The worst thing that could happen now in the Middle East is to spark religious strife between the followers of these faiths. This would shatter all hopes for a Middle East that is free of religious and ethnic hatred.

The faction or factions who are bent on striking Christian targets must be stopped. This urgent objective is linked to the larger imperative of restoring law and order in the country.

There is legitimate fear that the expanding violence in Iraq will drive the country to madness and bloodshed. That is precisely why it is important for clerics of all faiths and denominations to condemn such acts and urge the perpetrators and their supporters to follow the path of reconciliation if Iraq and the entire Middle East are to be saved from the abyss.

This article was published in the Tuesday, August 3, 2004 edition of the Jordan Times. It is used here with permission.