Posted on 12/23/2017 6:13:28 PM PST by marshmallow
Christmas in Qaraqosh is not just a celebration of Christ’s birth, but an exercise in hope for Christianity in Iraq’s resurrection after ISIS.
QARAQOSH, Iraq — In their villages on the Nineveh Plain, Iraq’s Christians are celebrating their first Christmas since the region’s liberation from the Islamic State (ISIS).
In the little town of Qaraqosh (also known as Baghdida), there will be no flocks of sheep grazing, or cows lowing, as in years past, on the holy night of Christ’s birth — just the sound of Christians singing the Divine Liturgy at midnight in their burned churches.
More than three years ago, Yohanna Towaya left his home in Qaraqosh and escaped with his family as ISIS advanced. Coming back in September, he found his home had been torn apart and looted, with signs that ISIS had planned on burning it.
But Towaya, a Syriac Catholic, was relatively lucky: Many houses were destroyed, including those belonging to his parents and his brother.
“We left everything,” he said. “We [Christians] had millions of dollars, but left it to keep our faith.”
Christmas in Qaraqosh is not just a celebration of Christ’s birth, but an exercise in hope for Christianity in Iraq’s resurrection after ISIS.
More than 150,000 Christians were expelled from their homelands by ISIS’ genocidal campaign. Only 250,000 Christians are estimated to remain in Iraq. This December has seen one-third of the displaced Christian population return to their homes, according to figures kept by the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee.
Before the arrival of ISIS, Yohanna Towaya drew his income from three sources: his law practice, lecturing at the university and raising turkeys. All his agricultural equipment and poultry need to be replaced. But until he can get reimbursed, the funds Towaya needs to rebuild his business are tied up in the cost of........
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
These Christians are who we should be accepting as refugees, they are persecuted for doing nothing wrong. The muslims that europe, the USA and Australia are letting in are just fighters for the jihad cause who are not persecuted in their own countries.
Pray for our enemies’ journey to paradise and for our military who will arrange their journey.
Trump, turn Iraq Christian. Do it.
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