by Thomas Tammo

Men and women of the Islamic faith joined the Chaldeans in front of the church of St. George after the Sunday Eucharist. Some carried a placard bearing the words: "I am an Iraqi Christian”. They condemned the Isis violence in Mosul. The Patriarch of Baghdad: "Thanks to you there is still hope for a new Iraq."

Baghdad (AsiaNews) - A group of Baghdad Muslims, men and women, met yesterday evening after Sunday mass in front of the Chaldean church of St. George to condemn the attacks on the Christian community in Mosul carried out by the Islamic State of the Levant and of 'Iraq (Isis) and to show solidarity and closeness to communities under threat. Some of them are presented themselves in front of the church with a sign that read: "I am an Iraqi Christian."

The Chaldean faithful who joined them after Mass sang the national anthem along with them; several said: "My house is open for my Christian brothers and sisters." His Beatitude Mar Louis Sako, Patriarch of Baghdad, thanked them: "This brings hope for a new Iraq. I think especially of the young people, who have the task and the duty to change the situation."

According to the leader of the Chaldean Church it "is a shame and a crime to force innocent people from their homes and confiscate their properties because they are 'different', because they are Christians. The whole world must rebel against these abominable acts."

Christians, he said, "love Muslims and consider them our brothers and sisters, they must do the same. We are all equal in dignity, all citizens of the same country. We must unite to create a new Iraq. Thanks to all of you, there is still a hope". Before leaving, the Christians have prayed the Our ​​Father and the Muslims the sura al Fatiha [the first of the Koran, which is the "summary" of the Muslim creed  ed].

• iraq
• mosul
• christian
• persecution
• ISIS
• muslim
• solidarity
• interfaith
• dialogue