ICC Note:
Support for rebuilding Iraq is spreading around the world. Australians are now looking to raise $150,000 to rebuild Qaraqosh, one of the oldest Christian cities in Iraq. Qaraqosh was attack by Islamic militants ISIS in 2014, devastating businesses, homes, and land. Benjamin Blanchard, founder of a nonprofit organization, Chretiens d’Orient, that helps persecuted Christians in Middle East will visit Australia later this month raise the money. The funds raised will help rebuild the city and also return displaced people to the lands where their ancestors lived.
11/09/2017 Iraq (Catholic Leader) – CHRISTIANS rebuilding their homes in devastated Qaraqosh could soon receive financial support from Australians concerned about the diminishing presence of Christianity in Iraq.
Benjamin Blanchard, the founder of a non-government organisation helping persecuted Christians living in the Middle East, SOS Chretiens d’Orient, will visit Australia later this month with the hope of raising $150,000 to help rebuild Qaraqosh.
Mr Blanchard will give a series of talks in Brisbane, New South Wales and Victoria between November 26 and December 10.
He will be welcomed into the country by Ora Duffley, a Brisbane Catholic who volunteered with Mr Blanchard’s organisation before Easter this year.
Ms Duffley became the first Australian to volunteer with SOS Chretiens d’Orient, which has attracted 1000 volunteers since beginning in 2013.
She said the organisation was impressed with the financial support she received from Australians and were now inviting the country to support in rebuilding one of Iraq’s oldest Christian cities.
“One of the projects they’ve given Australia is to help us rebuild the Christian city of Qaraqosh,” Ms Duffley said.
…
