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| Dominican Sisters in better days (2013) |
Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends,
Thank you for journeying with us through prayers and support in the
past few months. It really is a time of peril and we are
hoping that a miracle from God will end all that. So far, 510 families have been displaced from Mosul. Some
were fortunate to leave before the deadline ISIS set as they were able to take
their belongings with them. However, 160 families of them left Mosul with only
their clothes on; everything they had was taken away from them.
These families are in so much need of help and support.
People in Christian towns that received these refugees opened their homes to
provide shelters and food for them, as much as they could. People are strongly
willing to help, but the fact that they did not have their salaries for two
months (June- July) makes it extremely difficult for them to offer more. As
the salaries of government employees in areas under ISIS control
are being suspended. Additionally, because of the present situation in Mosul and
the whole province (of Nineveh) the economy of the state is suffering, which
naturally affects everyone. Since the tension started in Mosul, many people lost
their jobs as 99% of jobs stopped, which means there is hardly any money to be
used let alone loaning to those who are in need. This is not only in the
province of Nineveh, but also in Erbil. Moreover, all Christians in the plain of
Nineveh have not received their food supplement, which the government used to
provide via the smart ration card. This is causing a crisis not only for the
refugees, but also for the residents in the area.
However, the church is calling people to open their homes for
refugees as there are some families staying in Church’s halls with limited space
and public services in Nineveh plain. But in Karakosh, residents and churches
are collaborating. Residents are welcoming refugees in their homes and churches
are providing for them; therefore, refugees prefer to come to Karakosh.
Additionally, the church, with the help of Christian endowment, is planning to
provide caravans as kind of accommodations for the time being. This project,
however, seems to take longer time than expected.
As you perhaps know, concerning the situation in Mosul, the Islamic
State has a policy in governing the city. After displacing the Christians, they
started their policy concerning the holy places that angered people. So far, the
churches are under their control; crosses have been taken off. But we are not
sure about the extent of the damaged done in them. In addition to that, a few
mosques have been affected, too. The ISIS destroyed two mosques with their
shrines last week: the mosque of Prophet Sheeth (Seth) and the mosque of the
Prophet Younis, or Jonah, said to be the burial place of Jonah. The militants
claim that such mosques have become places for apostasy, not prayer. This was
really too painful for all people as Jonah’s shrine was considered as a
monument. Also, it was a historical place as it was built on an old church.
Destroying such places is a destruction of our heritage and legacy.
Besides, ISIS is setting some rules that even Mosul residents cannot
tolerate. Like forcing young people to join them, preventing women to go out,
and enforcing the strict interpretation of Islamic law.
People in towns around Mosul are afraid that ISIS would
extend their control after the Muslim Feast holidays. This period of Muslim
feast was a kind of intermission, but no one knows what to expect next. In fact,
they have already started. The ISIS are extending their controlled zone.
Yesterday (Aug 3) there were encounters between ISIS and Pashmerga outside of
Mosul to the north. Meanwhile, the central government is attacking the ISIS in
Mosul. Most of Christians in towns of Batnaya and Telkaif have left their homes
because they are very close to Mosul. The situation in Karkush is in the present
time is calm. But this causes fear and horror among Christians and that’s why
some families from Karkush are leaving to Kurdistan, some have plans to leave
the country, and some are staying. This in any case weakens Christians' feeling
of belonging to the country.
We are surprised that some countries of the world are
silent about what is happening. We hoped that there would be stronger
international approach toward Iraq, and Christians in Iraq in general.
As for us as community, our sisters in Batnaya and Telkaif
had to leave the town with 99% of people who left because of violence outside
the town. We have had our annual retreat on the 20th of
July. That gave us opportunity to pray for Iraq and our Christian community
during this time of peril.
Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena
–Iraq.
August 4th 2014
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