Kurdish Christians await Christmas with excitement and trepidation

AFP/KurdishMedia.com ^ | 24 December 2004

[chava]

Kurdish Christians await Christmas with excitement and trepidation 24/12/2004 AFP ARBIL, Iraq, Dec 24 (AFP) - 6h13 - Christians in Iraqi Kurdistan are preparing for Christmas with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, with the continued violence meaning they cannot even drop their guard for the festive season.

"We are scared that a terrorist dressed as Santa Claus might find his way to some kids and blow himself up. Yet, we believe the Lord will protect us," says Amal Franscis in the largely Christian Kurdish town of Ain Kawa.

Although Kurdistan is relatively immune from the violence across Iraq, local churches in Ain Kawa, near Arbil, decided to cancel the traditional 10 pm (1900 GMT) Christmas Eve mass due to security concerns.

"We are showing solidarity towards our brothers all across the country who have been receiving threats" said Ain Kawa Mayor Fahmi Matti Solaqa of Iraq’s dwindling 700,000 Christian community.

Still, Solaqa took great pains to pretend this year was ordinary despite a country cursed by violence and his community targeted more and more by a cold-blooded insurgency.

"We’ve taken all necessary steps to make the town look more beautiful and we will hold Christmas mass as is the case every year," he said, almost wistfully.

As if looking to reassure himself, he insisted: "Despite the security situation differs nowadays, I’m certain the government here has taken all necessary security measures to guarantee a safe Christmas and New Year all over Kurdistan.

But not everyone in the town could put on such a brave face. The Kurds who lived in relative stability in the 1990s, thanks to a no-fly zone enforced over Kurdistan by America and Britain, have found the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq to be a calamitous era.

"I wish I could feel free to go to the church like before. We have to be careful these days," said Luay Abdullahad, 30, before purchasing Christmas tree decorations.

Still, he insisted: "Whatever happens, I will go to church. Christmas is a day every one should respect"

Despite the fears, the Christmas tree trade is flourishing in Kurdistan even as they worry about Jihadist Santas.

"People are buying trees and decorations the same as before. The difference is that they are attending masses but with their hearts burdened with fears" said shop owner Abdul Maseeh, 42.

A string of attacks on churches in Mosul and Baghdad since August have scarred Kurdish Christians.

"The attacks on churches in Mosul and Baghdad left fears among Christians in Kurdistan" says Yaqoub Edward.

And Christian political parities in Kurdistan have decided not to accept visitors this holiday season.

"Because of the security situation, we are not receiving well-wishers," said Adrees Mirzq, a member of the Assyrian Democratic Movement.

In Baghdad, Archbishop Emanuel Delly, head of the Chaldean church in Iraq announced masses would be held Friday afternoon, rather than the traditional night-time ceremony.

[Fintan]

Could be worse. They could have the ACLU over there...