31st May 08, ICIN celebrates it’s first anniversary
at the Cobham Hilton. For those of you who can make it, we have
done our best to make it a happy experience.
ICIN was officially registered with the Charities
Commission-UK on the 31st May 2007. It came in
response to the worsening situation of Iraq’s Christians and the
need to do something in order to help those who have lost their
homes and livelihood whether inside or outside Iraq. The
majority are dependent on their relatives living in western
countries, while those who do not have such support are
dependent on the churches and organized charities.
News of the persecution and displacement of Christians have
been reported in the Christian British media, while the secular
media only portrayed the two main factions of Islam fighting and
persecuting each other. This silence about the special plight of
the Iraqi Christians and other non-Muslim communities was
another motivating factor for the establishment of our charity.
The aim became not only helping the refugees financially, but
also highlighting the dangers facing the Iraqi Christian
community. It is now clearly under threat of extinction as the
Bishop of the Chaldeans in Syria Antoine Audo stressed during
his lecture at Heythrop College when he visited us in London on
the 3rd November 2007.
The response we have received from the British public has been
overwhelming. Some helped by advising on the registration of the
charity, others by suggesting ideas for raising funds and
organizing events and appeals at their churches where they gave
generously.
The response of many Iraqis has been as overwhelming, from
those who donated generously and supported our activities, to
members of the team who have been working tirelessly in
different ways. Some offered their secretarial and financial
skills, others their expertise in organising and updating the
website, while still others prepared the logos and the pamphlets
and organized events. No expense has been incurred except for
bank charges.
We have so far sent over US$100,000 to Iraqi refugees via
various channels. We are grateful to all those who contributed
by making the funds reach those most in need. In this, the most
challenging area of our work, we are indebted to Bishop Antoine
Audo ( in Syria), Bishop Andrawis Abouna (in Iraq), father
Khalil al-Jaar (in Jordan ) and to many others who do not
want to have their names mentioned.
We are proud to claim that we were not
indifferent in the face of this massive human tragedy. Although
what we are doing is only a drop in the ocean, without drops the
ocean cannot be.
Iraqi doctor named
a Catholic Woman of the
Year London 15th May 2008
Dr Suha Rassam, one of the founders of the charity Iraqi Christians in Need
(ICIN) and author of the book Christianity in Iraq, has been
named one of the four Catholic Women of the Year.
Dr Rassam with a group of fellow
Iraqis in the London area, set up the charity last year to provide financial and spiritual
support to Iraqi Christians both in Iraq and in countries such
as Syria and Jordan, where many are now refugees.
Earlier this year, she visited Iraqi refugee families in Syria
to assess how best ICIN could help them. In Aleppo, she met with
Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo of the Chaldean Catholic Church
and Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim of the Syrian Orthodox Church.
Originally from Mosul in northern Iraq, Dr Rassam qualified as a
doctor and later was appointed assistant professor of medicine
at the University of Baghdad. She came to the UK in the 1990 and
worked at various hospitals in London until retiring in 2005.
Set up in 1968, the Catholic Women of the Year awards are made
by a panel representing various Catholic organisations,
including the Union of Catholic Mothers, the Catholic Women's
League and the National Association of Catholic Families.
Spokesperson Joanna Bogle said: "The awards are for women who
have made an exceptional contribution to Catholic life. The
winners don't receive any money, just the love, support and
admiration of other Catholic women."
Dr Rassam will receive her award at a luncheon at the Thistle
Hotel, Marble Arch, London, on October 10
Dr. Suha Rassam and Dr. Faiz Tappuni report on
the situation of the Iraqi Christians in Syria. Our trip Syria gave us a clear insight
regarding the terrible situation of the Iraqi Christian
refugees.
Iraqi Christians Struggle With Fear After
Slayings
By Sholnn Freeman
(The Washington Post, staff writer)
BAGHDAD, April 21 -- At the Rev. Thair Abdal's church, where on
Sunday mornings sweet songs of prayer stream from the doorway,
the congregation's fear of death leaves the sanctuary
half-filled.
Baghdad, Apr. 7, 2008 Iraqi Christians joined in mourning
after a Syrian Orthodox priest was murdered in Baghdad on April
5.
Father Yusef Adel was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in
the Iraqi capital. The killing occurred less than 3 weeks after
Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Faraj Raho was found dead, after
having been kidnapped from outside his cathedral in Mosul.
Syrian Orthodox Bishop Matti Shaba Matoka presided at the
funeral for Father Adel, with Chaldean Catholic Patriarch
Emmanuel III Delly and the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Francis
Chulikatt, representing the city's Catholic leadership.
The AsiaNews service reported that the new killing caused "great
fear" among Iraq's Christians, who have seen a drive by Islamic
militants to drive the religious minority out of the country.
The campaign of violence and intimidation against Christians has
taken an enormous toll. The number of Christians living in Iraq
today is estimated at under 500,000-- roughly half what it was
before the start of the war in 2003.
In a message of condolence to Syrian Orthodox leaders, Pope
Benedict XVI (bio - news) promised his prayers, "that all people
will follow the ways of peace in order to build a just and
tolerant society in the beloved land of Iraq."
Pope Benedict
lamented on Sunday
The killing of an Iraqi priest during a drive-by shooting in
Baghdad, the latest attack on Iraq’s Christian community.
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) 6th April, 2008
Funeral
Fr.
Youssef Adel 05/05/2008
At
Saints Peter and Paul in Baghdad, the funeral was held for
Youssef Adel, killed Saturday by unknown persons. Also present
at the function, the Vatican nuncio and Cardinal Delly. The plan
to drive Christians out of Iraq could be part of a more general
strategy of Shiite supremacy in the Middle East.
Iraqi Christians shaken anew by Orthodox
priest's murder
05/04/2008
A Syro-Orthodox priest was killed by gunfire today in Baghdad,
in the Christian neighbourhood of Zayiuna. The news is confirmed
by sources of the same Orthodox Church. The victim was Youssef
Adel, aged 40, of the Church of Saint Peter. According to the
reconstruction of the attack, the priest was travelling in his
car when around noon (local time) armed men opened fire.
The priest was the director of a high school that was attended
by both Christians and Muslims, young men and young women. He
had been the target of threats and intimidation intended to
drive him away from his post, but he did not pay any attention
to them. Recently he had celebrated a prayer meeting open to all
Christians. His funeral will be held tomorrow in the Syro-Orthodox
Cathedral of Baghdad.
The attack this morning is only the latest in a series that have
been striking at the heart of the Christian community in Iraq.
Not even a month ago, on March 13, the body of Faraj Rahho, the
Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, was found. He had been kidnapped
on February 29 by a terrorist group.
March
Christian Peace Witness for Iraq
– 19 March 2008
Pax Christi and the Fellowship of
Reconciliation are calling the Christian community to a time of
remembrance, prayer and action as we approach the 5th
anniversary of the war with Iraq on 20 March 2008.
To support this we have produced a resource leaflet giving
background, prayer and action, which can be found at
http://www.paxchristi.org.uk/ME.HTML
Printed copies are also available from the Pax Christi London
office.
Iraqi Christians Have No Militias
to Protect Them By Kevin McCandless
CNSNews.com Correspondent
March 14, 2008
London (CNSNews.com) - The death of an Iraqi archbishop has
given new impetus to campaigners' attempts to focus attention on
the plight of the embattled Christian minority in the Middle
Eastern nation.
VATICAN CITY, 13 MAR 2008 (VIS) -
Benedict XVI has sent a telegram to Cardinal
Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the
Chaldeans, Iraq, for the death of Archbishop
Paulos Faraj Rahho of Mossul of the Chaldeans,
Iraq, who was kidnapped on 29 February.
In February, a delegation from Pax Christi France,
including the president Msgr. Marc Stenger, met with Bishop
Louis Sako of Kirkuk, Iraq, during a solidarity visit to the
Christian community. Bishop Sako told the delegation, “Last
week, in a street leading to Baghdad, some terrorists abducted
40 students of a school, including three Christians who were
ordered to convert to Islam. The three students strongly
refused, saying they were prepared to die for their faith. As a
result all 40 students were released.” He said: “What happened
to the three young Christians means that, despite so many
difficulties, our followers are not losing faith or hope, they
are actually being strengthened.” He said the process of
reconciliation with the Muslims and other Christian Churches
continues: “Even at Lent, our Islamic brothers come to see us,
but it takes time to promote initiatives and we have to learn.
With the leaders of the other churches, we have created a
council of 30 people who are in charge of giving a voice to
Christians, a fact welcomed by the civil authorities. When he
was in Kirkuk last week, we showed President Jalal Talibani our
plan and he encouraged us. We spoke of the future of the city
and the role of Christians, who are a bit left out of the
political arena.”
Call
for remembrance, prayer and action for Iraq A call for a day of remembrance, prayer and action on 19
March, the eve of the anniversary of the war with Iraq is one of
the responses that came from an ecumenical seminar held in
London on Tuesday entitled 'Iraq War - five years on : A
continuing challenge to Christians'.
Independent
Catholic News , LONDON - 14 February 2008
Caritas initiative for Iraqi girls: classes to
shelter them from exploitation
In Damascus, Caritas Syria is inaugurating a new
programme that will offer free instruction to more than 450
girls, without regard to faith. Often, because of economic
difficulties and the lack of room in the public schools, many
young female refugees are forced to work under conditions of
exploitation, even including prostitution. An effort to stem the
humanitarian crisis for the Iraqis in Syria. Asianews,
Posted on: 17 January 2008
PAPAL SOLIDARITY WITH THE CHRISTIANS OF IRAQ
Benedict XVI has sent a telegram to Cardinal
Emmanuel III Delly, patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, Iraq,
expressing solidarity in the wake of recent attacks against
Christian communities in various of the country's cities. VATICAN
CITY, 11 JAN 2008
Imam of Kirkuk: attacks against
Christians are “against Islam”
During Friday prayers, Muslim leaders praise the Churches
commitment to dialogue and condemn Wednesday’s attacks against
Christian targets. The Archdiocese helps to repair damage done
to Muslim families. Asianews,
Posted on: 11 January 2008
Pope Benedict XVI has conveyed
his concern and solidarity for the Christians of Iraq, after
a new series of bombings at churches there. In a telegram to
Chaldean Catholic Patriarch ... CWNews Jan. 10,
2008
Religious cleansing' in
Iraq NEW fears of a fresh campaign to flush
out Christianity from key parts of Iraq have been sparked by the
shock attack on churches in leading cities. By John
Pontifex, ACN News, Wednesday, 9th January 2008
Archbishop of Kirkuk says
bombs will not kill hope or stop dialogue
Following yesterday’s two attacks against the Chaldean cathedral
and a Syro-Orthodox Church, Msgr. Sako speaks of a “political
message aimed at Christians” and guarantees that “our commitment
to building peaceful coexistence will not stop”. Appeal to the
faithful of the world: we will not give in but we need your
prayers. Asianews, Posted on: 09 January 2008
Two car bombs exploded
outside two churches
in the volatile northern city of Kirkuk on
Wednesday, police said, the latest in a wave of attacks on
Christian targets in Iraq this week. Reuters:
09 January 2008
Iraqi priest abducted and
tortured in Iraq because he was Christian
Fr Hani Abdel Ahad, abducted in Baghdad in June
of last year and held for 12 days, tells AsiaNews about his
captivity, the daily violence he experienced, the psychological
threats and physical torture he endured. Money is not the only
motive behind the abduction of priests. “I experienced first
hand the deep hatred terrorists have for Christians and suffered
on my body their plans to drive them out Iraq,” he said. Still
convalescing for the hardships he had to endure, he is thankful
to God for his faith, only “hope for a better future.” Asianews, Posted on: 07 January 2008
Iraqi Christians in Lebanon
are suffering
from continues fear and sensation, also facing
severe social and economical situations after escaping from
death, migration, Evan
Butrus: Ankawa /Lebanon/Beirut 07/01/2008
Dutch Members of Parliament Inquire About Iraq
Church Bombings The Hague - In response to yesterday's
coordinated church and monastery bombings in Iraq, five members
of the Dutch Parliament addressed questions to the Dutch
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maxime Verhagen (CDA). AINI, 07
January 2008
At Least Seven Churches Were Bombed in Iraq At five o' clock today, a few hours after the bombs
had detonated; one of the churches in central Baghdad held an
Epiphany mass. AINI, 06
January 2008
Coordinated
attacks against Christian Churches in Baghdad and Mosul: The
targets were three Christian Churches and three convents
belonging to religious orders. No deaths have been reported so
far but serious damage has been done. Chaldean Archbishop of
Kirkuk: the attacks could be part of a coordinated plan aimed at
sending a clear message to the community. Asianews,
05 January 2008
Iraqi Refugees:
Christmas “the alternative to violence”
The Christmas season among thousands of Chaldean families,
refugees in Damascus. They have lost everything: jobs, homes,
relatives and friends. They dream of leaving Syria and of being
welcomed into “any Western nation, because there is no more room
for Christians in Iraq”. In the meantime they wait full of hope,
because “there is one thing that no-one can take from us: our
faith!”. An appeal to the Pope and the world: “Mercy for the
people of Iraq!”. The report of our AsiaNews envoy. Asianews, 02 January
2008
