Posted on 10/11/2018 5:54:07 PM PDT by marshmallow
A family, who wants their identity protected, hid for three years two books containing Syriac Orthodox rituals. The head of the family recently entrusted them to a former Christian neighbour, with whom they have been friends for years. For Chaldean priest, many Muslims view Christians as brothers and are ready to risk their lives for a book.
Mosul (AsiaNews) – A Muslim family hid for three years two ancient Syriac Orthodox books in Mosul during the city’s occupation by the Islamic State (IS) group to prevent their destruction at the latter’s hands. They did so, putting their own lives at risk. Their courage and action show that Mosul and Iraq can be rebuilt and reborn on the basis of unity and coexistence of its various groups, above all Christians and Muslims.
Upon the city’s liberation, the manuscripts’ protectors handed them over to a representative of the Chaldean community in Erbil but asked that their identity be protected because “sleeper cells” still exist in the city, ready to exact vengeance.
Fr Paulos Thabit Mekko spoke to AsiaNews about this story. He is now the repository of the two precious manuscripts (pictured) until they can be returned to their rightful owners.
"Recently a Chaldean from Mosul contacted me saying that he had a Muslim neighbour from the time he lived in the city 20 years ago,” said the priest. The family of the Muslim man, who can trace his ancestry back to ancient Mesopotamia, and his “have been friends for a long time” despite the distance and the violence by IS.
In 2015, when the city was under the latter’s control, the Muslim man, who is the head of the family, went with a relative to an area near the Chaldean Monastery of St Michael.
"One day the man saw a lorry dump......
(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...
That’s wonderful news! I was so upset to read about the Taliban destroying the Buddhas of Bamayyan, so long ago. I couldn’t believe that ANYONE would destroy ancient artworks or antiquities, especially those of Religious importance. In retrospect, I was very naive about the various religions of the Middle East. I do remember when Hillary, on the eave of impeachment, said something about celebrating Ramadan and wondering ‘why would they ever be celebrating Ramadan in the White House?’. I guess I was REALLY naive.
Muslims protecting Christians? Maybe, but hard to imagine it. Not buying the idea that any of them view Christians as “brothers” either
People are people. Not every Muslim in a wild eyed jihadi. Some (most) are genuine good and decent people.
How old is ‘ancient’?
Not all Muslims are radicals. Good portion are but not all. I knew a older gentleman who grew up in Instabul in the 50s where his dad was a military attaché and they lived with this Muslim brother (fashion designer) and sister and they were modern western Muslims and tooked care of this guy’s family like close friends
There is no doubt there are good Muslims. But they are not good Muslims.
If most Muslims are decent, then explain why these two won’t publicly reveal their identities.
The answer should be self-evident
I pray that God blesses these brave souls. They have behaved far better than their scripture has commanded them to behave.
Because most Muslims are better people than the mad murderous war lord that wrote their diabolical "scripture". But unfortunately, there are a minority who are happy to follow his brutal teachings, and that means death to those who only pretend to be dedicated to jihad and the forced conversion of the entire world.
Let’s put it this way. Do you believe most Germans were basically good and decent people during World War II?
Wow, great story.
“If most Muslims are decent, then explain why these two won’t publicly reveal their identities.”
Because the percentage that is homicidal maniac is very certain to kill them if they do. Most moslems in the world are essentially hostages to the ones who are murderers.
Just a little side story to Mosul. When we defeated Saddam Hussein and his military, the equivalent of the WW2 occupation governor’s position was created. In Mosul, it was an Orthodox rabbi in the US Army.
He would meet with the Moslem senior clerics and officials, and speak to them in fluent Arabic. It made things a lot easier re cooperation in restoration order and a government there.
Sometimes you get good people to work together for the greater good of all. I hope the people in this story are kept safe from the Fascist ISIS psychopaths.
Depends on how you define “decent.” If it means an entire nation feigning ignorance of wholesale slaughter, then no
They weren’t “good Muslims” but good people — there is a difference.
Every Muslim I’ve known is a better person than Mohammed.
And every Christian I’ve known is a worse person than Christ.
That’s a very good observation.
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