ICC Note: Lebanese politicians have stepped out with Christian leaders to express solidarity with Christians in Iraq. As Christians in Iraq flee from the persecution of the Islamic State, many have sought protection in surrounding countries such as Lebanon. Now, Lebanon seems to be seeing the beginning stages of its own suffering for Christians. As Christian refugees continue to grow, resources are growing restrained. It is now more important than ever that Christians in the West support their brothers and sisters in Christ.
—
ICC has launched a campaign to provide aid to the Iraqi church to assist those in need who have fled from the attacks. Go here to find out more and donate: Iraqi Crisis Response
—
08/01/14 Iraq (Daily Star) – Lebanese politicians and Christian leaders reiterated their concern Wednesday over the exodus of Christians from Iraq’s city of Mosul. A Future Movement delegation visited Chaldean Bishop Michel Kassarji at the Chaldean Archdiocese in Baabda to express their solidarity with the Christians of Iraq, the majority of whom belong to the Chaldean Church, the National News Agency reported.
After holding Mass last Sunday, Kassarji passionately described the plight of Mosul’s Christians, some of whom have fled to Lebanon.
“We came here to express our solidarity with our Christian brethren in Iraq who were persecuted and displaced at the hands of terrorist groups that committed ugly crimes against them, amounting to crimes against humanity,” said MP Atef Majdalani, who headed the delegation, after the meeting.
Iraqi Christians have been fleeing Mosul in hordes after ISIS threatened to convert them to Islam and pay a special levy, or leave and avoid certain death.
“We have been informed about the sufferings of Christians not only in Iraq, but also in the host countries, especially Lebanon,” Majdalani said.
The MP called for the provision of more aid needed by Iraqi refugees and said Parliament’s Health Committee would meet in a week’s time to discuss the issue of Christian refugees from Mosul with the ministers of health, interior and social affairs.
Kassarji called on the Future delegation to bring the plight of Mosul’s Christians to the attention of senior officials. He also emphasized that “Christian refugees should be treated in the same way as Syrian refugees.”
The Daily Star had interviewed a number of refugee families who said they had left Mosul for fear of persecution at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, which recently changed its name to the Islamic State.
In Lebanon, Iraqi Christians complain of the lack of employment opportunities, citing competition with an already overwhelming number of Syrian refugees, and lack of international support.
…
