Two Christian communities in Baghdad show real hope for Iraq’s historic diversity – if politicians do their bit
by Michael Nasir Ali

The savage attack on Christians worshipping at Our Lady of Salvation Chaldean Catholic church in Baghdad drew the world’s attention to the violence against Christians and other minorities, such as the Mandaeans and the Yazidis, which has become almost routine in Iraq since the “troubles” began. Priests and bishops have been kidnapped and brutally murdered; Christian schools, businesses and homes have been targeted; hundreds have been killed or injured; and hundreds of thousands have fled to Syria, Jordan, Turkey and – the lucky ones – to the west. Other religious minorities have not fared any better.

Everyone in Iraq seems to live in deadly danger, but religious minorities are much more exposed as they do not have militias of their own to protect them. At the moment, however, there is a lull in the violence and this must, therefore, be a time to take stock and think about the future.

It would not be true to say that there is no fear, but the Christian community has not given up on its commitment to serve all the people of Iraq in the name of the gospel it professes. Just two examples will show what I mean: a few years ago St George’s Anglican church in the heart of Baghdad was derelict, abandoned because it lay in a dangerous area. That was until Andrew White (“the vicar of Baghdad”) arrived. At Coventry cathedral he had become involved in the work of relief and reconciliation in the Middle East and now he set about not only rehabilitating St George’s, but making it a premier location for the delivery of essential services to Iraqis – regardless of religion.

Every day of the week St George’s hums with activity: read more