MOSUL — Tony Bardinin, 31, is one of thousands of Christians who have fled the northern city of Mosul , some 390km north of the capital Baghdad, in recent days after a surge in violence against the community.
“We are feeling like Gypsies moving from one place to another and are seen as criminals rather than victims,” he told IslamOnline.net.
“Our children are sick, out from schools and we cannot even claim help because we don’t know who is with or against us.”
A series of attacks targeted the Christian minority in Mosul since September 28, killing at least 12 members of the community.
The government has deployed more than 1,000 police personnel to stabilize the situation in Mosul, one of Iraq’s most dangerous cities and Al-Qaeda’s last urban stronghold.
Authorities have yet to publicly announce who they believe is behind the campaign of violence, although Al-Qaeda is suspected.
“After decades living in peace inside this country, we are now victims of extremists who cannot accept the idea of having another religion dividing the same space of Islam in Iraq,” said Bardinin.
“We cannot accept such aggression against innocent civilians who were living without offenses against Iraqi Muslims,” MP Yonadam Kanna, a Christian, told IOL.
“We want to live in peace again and prevent such attacks from happening.”
Nearly 200 Christians have been killed and a string of churches attacked in the 2003 US-led invasion.
There were around 800,000 Christians in Iraq at the time of the invasion, a number that has since shrunk by around a third.
Muslim Friends
The attacks on Mosul Christians have drawn condemnation from the country’s Muslim scholars.
They have offered their support, urging the government to intensify protection for Christian families in the area.
The Iraqi Red Crescent Society has been struggling to deliver aid to displaced families who fled Mosul as well as those who did not and are in need of water and food.
“We call on Iraqi security personnel to help us in delivering food and water to these families who are starving as result of the attacks,” a IRCS volunteer told IOL, asking not to be named for security reasons.
“We also call for donations of blankets, tents, food items and medicines.”
Many Muslim families are racing to donate food to families who are taking refugee in areas near their homes.
“It is clear that only few people want us out from Iraq,” said Yehia Nauwadisin, 43, a father of four who fled Mosul two days ago to Erbil.
“Muslims have been our friends for centuries and now, one more time, they are proving that by helping us and giving their love and support.”
Mosul’s Fleeing Christians - IslamOnline.net - News
Indexed under: Christians, Ethnic cleansing of Christians, Features, Islam, Mosul, Ninawa (Governorate)
