Christians in Iraq: What a Terrible Situation!

     Unfortunately, the Media is not reporting the situation of Christians in Iraq. Indeed, Iraqi Christians are suffering from heavy persecution in their own country. Women are raped while men and children are killed on a daily basis. Many babies were crucified and given to their mothers. Almost 39 churches were burnt and priests tortured and killed. The question is why things went worse in Iraq after Saddam Hussein; everybody expected the launch of a democratic country and a farewell to injustice and chaos. Iraqi Christians have only one option now is to flee to Jordan and Syria; however these host countries are not as welcoming as we think. Syrians and Jordanians persecute Iraqis in different ways. It is like having an unwanted guest in your house and you want to be as nasty as possible so that he leaves. Moreover, Iraqis do not have a future in Syria and Jordan because they do not have work permits; they refused them even the refuge statues. Iraqis have no rights in Syria and Jordan except to live in misery. Many Iraqi women resort to prostitution to support their families or they starve. I was once happy that Saddam Hussein was overthrown and punished but not anymore since many Iraqis grow nostalgic to an era that was already bad. It is ironic but this is a fact. At least Christians were protected and Muslim fundamentalists’ hands were tied. Canada and the USA have to become involved in the situation in Iraq. I think negotiation with the new Iraqi government can make a big change in Iraqi Christians’ lives and safety. Iraq has always been a country where Armenians (Christians) and Arabs (Muslims) coexisted. I do not see why things are changing now. I’m quite sure that the new Iraqi government can do a lot about it and I hope it does and very quickly.

Lilia Warunky