Iraqi priest thanks AsiaNews for its solidarity against ISIS destruction (photos)

by Samir Youssef

Mr Samir talks about the worsening humanitarian emergency. For this reason, the work of helping refugees is important. The Christian world is united against the reality of death of the Islamic state. The love of those who give is source of joy for Mosul refugees. "We are not alone." The appeal to continue supporting the AsiaNews campaign continues.

Erbil (AsiaNews) - In a “very hot" geopolitical context in which Iraqi troops continue their advance inside Mosul’s Old City, and the humanitarian emergency gets worse, helping refugees becomes ever more important.

The Islamic state is a “reality of death, destruction, and shame” against which the Christian world becomes united in a shared initiative of solidarity, Fr Samir Youssef, parish priest of the Diocese of Amadiya (Kurdistan), told AsiaNews. The clergyman is responsible for the well-being of 3,500 Christian, Muslim, and Yazidi refugee families who fled their homes and land to escape the Jihadists.

The clergyman has been helping out since summer of 2014, when the emergency began, and wants to thank our agency not only for the aid campaign, but also for "its work of culture and information” on behalf of the Iraqi people, including refugees.

"Thanks to you, the word of truth and the reality of the Church can be seen everywhere," Fr Samir said. In his letter of thanks, he provides a financial report, including the last donations received in March before Easter."

Donations can be made to the ‘Adopt a Christian of Mosul ’campaign. The photo gallery shows how campaign donations have been used. Fr Samir’s letter follows:

Dearest Fr Bernardo Cervellera, my dear friends at AsiaNews,

First of all, I pray to the Lord that you are well. I want to continue to thank you Fr Bernardo, and through you all of our AsiaNews friends, for the help you sent us during the Nawroz holiday and Paschal period (almost US$ 22,000) to help Christian, Muslim, and Yazidi refugees who are in trouble.

You, with your tangible love, make us feel great joy and make us understand that we are not alone, that we are a single body. Without your support, the local Church could not have gone forward. You have really helped us to move on in our work for the displaced.

The Catholic Church in general, and the Italian Church in particular, have done a lot for the Church of Iraq, and this historical fact will be remembered forever. The terrorism that sadly strikes all over the world today makes us think and ask: Where are we? Where is the freedom that frees us from this evil?

I believe that a response comes from our Father, because when we believe we have a Heavenly Father, and work to sanctify his name with our faith and charity, we make his kingdom visible.

Through his love, we try to accomplish the mission that he points to us. Only this way we shall not lack of daily bread, and his paternal love will not leave us and he will always forgive us. We receive a lot in exchange, in giving this daily bread and this forgiveness to others, to those whom the Lord will put in our lives and on our path.

I wanted to share these thoughts with you because you, with your affection, have made me find and live deeply the greatness of this "daily bread", which for me and all mankind is the true Jesus Christ, the true daily bread.

If humanity does not feed on the word of Jesus as it eats bread, it will never find peace. Only when we live as the children of our Father, shall we have true peace. When we are not this way, we could fall into temptation.

Finally, I pray to the Lord to bless all of you.

Below you will see how the donation money was used and a photo gallery showing the distribution of food and aid.

Fr Samir Youssef

(parish priest in the diocese of Zakho and Amadiya)

Financial Report:

US$ 11,400 for groceries distributed to 250 families

US$ 5,000 cash for 50 families

US$ 2,750 clothing, shoes

US$ 1,450 in furniture

US$ 600 for a generator

US$ 9,200 in medicine

Total: US$ 21,400