Posts in IRAQ TODAY
When Life Stopped in an Instant

Around this time last year, the town of Qaraqosh (Bakhdida) was shaken by a tragic event that its residents will remember for years to come. A fire broke out during a wedding in a hall, resulting in the deaths of dozens, most of whom were from the same families. Survivors and the injured were left in shock, as the tragedy devastated the community.

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Sister Cities

The concept of a “global village” has increasingly become a reality, reflected in various international collaborations. In this context, Sterling Heights, Michigan, and Ankawa-Erbil, Iraq, are planning a long-lasting and mutually beneficial sister city relationship. This partnership aims to offer citizens of both cities enriching international and multicultural experiences while broadening their horizons.

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Chaldean Catholic Bishops Call for Unity

Chaldean Catholic bishops, in a message sent from their synod meeting in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, have urged their congregations worldwide to show unity and togetherness. In the July 17 message, the bishops encouraged the more than 600,000 members of the Chaldean Catholic Church to remain firm in faith, despite the severe trials they have experienced in recent years.

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Families’ Faith Blossoms Again on Nineveh Plains

Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil in Iraq says about 9,000 Christian families have returned to their homes on the Nineveh Plains after fleeing a decade ago, when ISIS took the region. In June 2014, the Islamist extremist group captured Mosul and the villages to the north and east of the city, prompting a mass exodus of Christians and Yazidis. Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Archbishop Warda noted the occupation of Mosul left other Christians on the Nineveh Plains vulnerable, and on August 6, 2014, prompted by further ISIS aggression, the entire Christian population fled to Iraqi Kurdistan.

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Old Alqosh Bazaar Festival

The second edition of the Old Alqosh Bazaar Festival was inaugurated by the bishop and a group of residents in Alqosh on March 27. This festival’s mission is to uphold and preserve the rich traditions, culture, and ancient crafts of the region. Participants engage in traditional dances and patronize traditional food and handcrafted items, contributing to the rehabilitation efforts of this historic bazaar, once a vital commercial center in the area.

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Iraqi High Court Decision Erodes Protections

A new decision by the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq strips minorities of quota representation in the Kurdistan Parliament and sets a dangerous precedent, signaling a return to discriminatory policies against those who are ethnically, religiously, racially, and linguistically different from the majority in Iraq. By targeting smaller minority groups first, this decision could escalate to affect larger minorities in Iraq. Ultimately, it threatens to revive central political authoritarianism and the majority dictatorship that the Iraqi people fought hard to overcome through decades of struggle and sacrifice. For these reasons, the U.S. Government should urge the Prime Minister of Iraq to introduce legislation in the Parliament to reverse the impact of this decision and to reiterate that the Federal Supreme Court of Iraq is limited by the principles of federalism in Iraq’s Constitution from interfering in matters related to the function of the Kurdistan Region’s parliament. Read the full story

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New Church in Baqofa

This past March 14 was a significant day for the Christian community of Baqofa, Iraq in the Nineveh Plain. Bishop Mar Thabit led the consecration ceremony of the newly built Virgin Mary Church, an effort that has taken five years. Speaking exclusively to Chaldean News, Bishop Mar Thabit expressed his gratitude towards the generous contributions from various Catholic organizations and compassionate locals, which made the construction of the church possible.

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Iraq Territory Targeted

Beirut (AP) Feb. 3 — British forces on Saturday joined their American allies in new attacks against militia in Yemen. The U.S. military earlier launched strikes on dozens of sites manned by Iran-backed fighters in western Iraq and eastern Syria in retaliation for a drone strike in Jordan in late January that killed three U.S. service members and wounded dozens.

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Caught in the Conflict

In a tragic incident on January 4th, the village of Einshki in Dohuk province, Iraq, fell victim to an airstrike carried out by Turkish planes, resulting in both material and psychological devastation within this small Chaldean community. Einshki, home to approximately 48 Chaldean families, witnessed profound effects on its residents. The emotional and psychological aftermath impacted their daily lives, exacerbating their sense of insecurity.

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