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Looking Forward

Are you concerned that American troops may pull out before 2012?

Yes, this is a very big concern for us. Without the Americans, Iraq will be in utter chaos and Christians will be the most affected. Without the presence of American troops, they will be exposed and unprotected. Iraq would be devoid of Christians if the Americans were to leave. They must remain to ensure security until the government regains control of the situation.

The problem is not among religious minorities, it’s among the masses who are of specific political persuasions. The minorities are caught in between trying to figure out what to do. Do they follow the masses or face the consequences? There is no one to trust and no laws or political parties in place to protect the minorities.

North Americans (and) Westerners will never fully understand the culture of Eastern people in the motherland. You cannot “sell” American democracy to the Iraqi people. It’s not our own. The Iraqi people must come together to understand what is best for us as a country and as a people. Democracy is not our culture. A simple election is difficult enough. What does an election mean for Iraqis today? That they have no choice. If you don’t vote for a particular party, then you risk losing your job, or enduring the persecution of your whole family, for example.

Iraqi Christians today are facing this problem: “If you don’t vote for me, I will not give you food,” “If you don’t vote for me, I will confiscate your house.” It would require a very powerful government to change the mentality from what it is today to one of equality for all. How long will it take? There is no way of knowing.

Aside from the American presence in Iraq, are there other signs of hope for your community?

We must always have hope. Without hope, there is no life. The situation is slightly better today than it was a year ago, so we can only hope that it will continue to improve in the new year. We are eagerly waiting for the elections in Iraq to take place because there is always hope around election time.

Do you ever think you’ll return to Iraq one day?

Unless the situation radically improves, I can’t imagine going back. Of course, as a priest I am under religious obedience. If my superior asks me to go, then out of obedience I would go. I yearn for my homeland and I pray that one day I will return and that my country will know peace once again. 

In fact, if I may, I would just like to ask for the prayers of your readers. The Chaldean Church needs prayers, Iraq needs prayers, as well as our patriarch, our bishops and our priests who remain there. It’s so important to be one community of faith and to grow together in faith. That being said, I wish all of your readers a very Happy and Holy New Year and that we all may continue to share the love of God with one another.

 

Editor's note: This interview is part of an ongoing series for the Year for Priests.