Muslim solidarity towards Iraqi Christians

(January 05, 2011) At a time of escalating tensions and violence, Muslims leaders have expressed their solidarity with Iraqi Christians. On Monday, some 20 sheikhs from Arab tribes in Nassiriyia, Kerbala, Diwaniyia, Imara, and Basra ,visited the Chaldean Archbishop’s Residence in Kirkuk to present their best wishes for the New Year, and especially to express their solidarity with Christians. They also voiced their concern over mass Christian migration, particularly after the attack against Baghdad’s Syriac-Catholic cathedral on 31 October, and a Coptic church in Alexandria, Egypt on 31 December.
During lunch with Archbishop Louis Sako, the Muslim leaders expressed their outrage and condemned the attacks against Christians. “Iraq without Christians would not be Iraq,” one of the sheikhs said. Another noted that his tribe was Christian before the arrival of Islam in the 7th century, adding that “we cannot forget our roots.” Others highlighted the need “to strengthen the spirit of brotherhood because we are all children of Adam and Abraham.” The sheikhs presented Archbishop Sako a sword to symbolise their offer of protection to Christians. The archbishop thanked them but said that “the Christian sword is love”. After the meal, the entire Muslim delegation visited Kirkuk cathedral and listened to Archbishop Sako explain the Christian prayer.