More on the plight of Iraq's Christians. "Iraq Becoming Islamic State Hostile to Non-Muslims," by John Newton for AINA, December 12:
UP TO 90 people packed into a House of Lords' committee room to attend a hearing about the crisis currently facing minorities in Iraq.At the meeting on Tuesday (9th December), called by Lord David Alton to address the problems, speakers described how various minority groups have suffered murder, rape, kidnapping, forced conversion, and extortion.
Although the room could only accommodate 50 people up to 90 turned up to express their concern about the problems facing minorities in Iraq.
Speaking after the meeting Lord Alton, said: "The Christian minorities in Iraq -- along with other vulnerable minorities -- have suffered appallingly.
"Since 2003 more than 700 Iraqi Christians have been murdered and at least a further 15 have died in Mosul, as thousands of Christian families fled to safety."
Stressing the need for an extensive enquiry he went on to say: "The Iraqi Government needs to conduct a full and transparent investigation into who was responsible for the events in Mosul."
Lord Alton also called for the government in the north of Iraq to return land that had been seized from minority groups.
He said: "The Kurdish Regional Government needs to ensure a swift and complete return of Christian homes, land and property that has been misappropriated -- which includes 58 Christian villages taken by Kurds.
"How The Kurdish and Iraqi authorities treat their minorities -- including Christians, Yezidis, and Mandaeans -- will be a test of their determination to create a tolerant society respectful of difference."[...]
A statement from the Syriac and Chaldean Churches read out at the meeting similarly sounded a note of caution about the direction the country was taking: "It seems that Iraq is one step closer to becoming an Islamic state intolerant to non-Muslims"...
Note well. This gathering happened in the House of Lords.
Lord David Alton called the meeting. The room could take 50, but ended up jammed with 90. It would be interesting to find out who those 90 were.
UK resisters of jihad and sharia...take note of Lord David Alton, write down his name, it appears you have a potential ally in the Upper House - and as a member of the House of Lords he is a fixture. Send him a letter of encouragement.
You should be keeping very careful track of which people, whether among the Lords temporal and spiritual, or in the House of Commons, appear to have some idea of the danger that we are all facing.
Those are the people to whom you should be actively giving support.
Stressing the need for an extensive enquiry he went on to say: "The Iraqi Government needs to conduct a full and transparent investigation into who was responsible for the events in Mosul."
No need for an enquiry - we know who was responsible.
If the sons of darkness, known as Muslims have their way, there will be more suffering and more death..
Here is the latest newsletter from Canon Andrew Brown, who addressed this meeting. I would encourage everyone to receive his regular updates about his work in Baghdad among the Christians. His website is frrme.org, and you and ask for his newsletters:
Dear Friends,
Well, I arrived back in the UK yesterday and did my speech in Parliament. Today I was supposed to return to Iraq but have been too ill to return. The really good news is that my doctor came all the way from London to see me has given me two infusions at home and has seriously increased my steroids for a week. When she was treating me I had another attack so she was able to see what happens and what the problem is and how to treat me. She called out our local doctor to take blood. So I am getting excellent treatment. Our staff who are here at the moment, and some who are not have truly been outstanding and have stayed with me all day helping do what I have to do. I truly have some of the most outstanding staff I have ever had. I hope and pray that I will be able to return to Iraq tomorrow but as yet I do not know if I will be well enough to. In the mean time I am able to do much of the follow up to our outstanding time in the USA. I will send you a brief report on the visit in due course. In the mean time I ask for your prayers for my health.
Blessings, Andrew
President of FRRME & Rector of St George's Baghdad
Pass the lord and praise the cannon.
For crying out loud, why do people expect the government to do everything for them?