Iraq: Christians celebrate Easter behind high blast walls and tight security cordons

Jihad Watch ^ | March 31, 2013

[NYer]

Things have gotten worse for the Christians in Iraq as the Muslims there have become "more outwardly pious and politically Islamist," says AP. This is a backhanded admission that Muslim piety leads to greater hostility toward Christians. But if anyone said that straight out, AP would tar him as an "Islamophobe."

"Iraqi Catholics celebrate Easter," by Diaa Hadid for the Associated Press, March 31:

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's Catholic Christians flocked to churches to celebrate Easter Sunday, praying, singing and rejoicing in the resurrection of Christ behind high blast walls and tight security cordons.

It was the first Easter since the election of Pope Francis in Rome, and worshipers said they hoped their new spiritual leader would help strengthen their tiny community that has shrunk under the joint pressures of militant attacks and economic hardships.

At the St. Joseph Chaldean Church in Baghdad, some 200 worshipers stood and sat during parts of the Easter mass led by Father Saad Sirop....

Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, Iraqi Christians have suffered repeated attacks by Islamic militants. Hundreds of thousands have left the country, with church officials estimating their communities have at least halved. The worst attack was at Baghdad's soaring Our Lady of Salvation church in October 2010. It killed more than 50 worshipers and wounded scores more.

More broadly, decades of immigration have shrunken the size of Christian communities throughout the Middle East, with most leaving for better opportunities and to join families abroad.

Other Christians in the region no longer feel comfortable among majority-Muslim communities that many believe have become more outwardly pious and politically Islamist over the decades.

They included Iraqi Christian worshiper Yousef's son, who moved to live with relatives in Arizona last year. Yousef said she was arranging for her other daughter and son to immigrate.

"There's still fear here, and there's no stability in this country," she said....

[al baby]

Your attention please

[NYer]

Please remember these christians in your prayers. Today they suffer; tomorrow, they may be praying for you!

[kjo]

This continues to go mostly unreported in the Western media. See...if Christians are being killed it MUST be their fault. So it’s not really “news”.

[Sacajaweau]

Most Christians had left before we got there in 2003.

They're blaming it on us and Bush in particular?? Glad the media isn't biased.

[353FMG]

But, but, but, don’t muslims suffer the same indignities in the Western world (or that part of the world that still pretends to be Western)?

[mosesdapoet]

Too band no pics; Bet all were dressed int their Sunday best the women were wearing head coverings and there was an altar rail.

[353FMG]

If Saddam Hussein had still been in power, the Christians would not have been persecuted by the muslims.

Saddam Hussein left them alone. In fact he often spent weekends in a Christian monastery high in the mountains because he knew that he was safe there. He knew that no Christian would put a knife in his back.

[NYer]

Too band no pics;

There are several pictures with them in their finery that cannot be posted because they are from AP. Best I can do is post these, from Reuters.

oseph Chaldean Church in Baghdad March 31, 2013. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen

Iraqi Christians attend mass on Good Friday during the Holy Week at the Chaldean Catholic Church in Amman March 29, 2013. Holy Week is celebrated in many Christian traditions during the week before Easter. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

Notice, they sent a Muslim photographer to cover the event. One can only imagine just how enthusiastic he was at having to do this.

[NYer]

This continues to go mostly unreported in the Western media. See...if Christians are being killed it MUST be their fault. So it’s not really “news”.

You mean, like this one ...

Christian Family in India Beaten for Observing Holy Week

The mother was severely maimed; they cut her hand in half.

[mosesdapoet]

Thanks
In other photos from Iran BTW the women all had their heads covered as they queued to enter the church, this was a group permitted by aggreement from a former Caliphate and probably not in union with Rome . Here some did wear a shawl but most didn’t. In fact most of this congregation consisted of women with the men in the back of the church. The one pictured apparantly receiving communion was kneeling.