Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch condemns the attacks on the Aramean Christians of Mosul

Patriarch Michael the Great

3-3-2010: Exodus of the Arameans of Mosul continues undiminished: According to UN report already 720 Aramean families (4320 people) have left Mosul

1-3-2010: Peaceful demonstration on Sunday 28^th of February 2010 by the Aramean Orthodox and Catholics in Baghdeda (Qaraqosh), northern Iraq

27-2-2010: Council of Churches in Iraq appeals to the government to protect the Aramean people in Mosul, Iraq

26-2-2010: The Arameans of Mosul: A new Exodus and Ethnic cleansing is going on

18-2-2010: The Arameans of Iraq again victim of killings and bloodbaths:

24-12-2009: A Christmas “message” for the Arameans of Mosul: Four Aramean Churches attacked and one Aramean killed

26-10-2009: Exactly one month and one day after the dramatic appeal of Iraqi President to the United Nations, two car bombs were detonated in the neighborhood of the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq

1-9-2009: Arameans of Iraq: The East- Aramean Chaldean bishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk sounds the alarm bell

29-8-2009: Totally unfounded or has it a grain of truth in it? Greater- Israel and the ethnic cleansing of the Arameans of Mosul and surroundings in Iraq

14-7-2009: The Special UN envoy to Iraq, Mr. Ad Melkert, wants extra protection for the Aramean Christians in Iraq

13-7-2009: Seven Indigenous Aramean Churches in Baghdad (Iraq) attacked by car bombs

4-5-2009: Aramean blood continues to flow in Iraq…

15-11-2008: Iraq: The bloodshed of Aramean people and bombardment of churches continues undiminished

27-10-2008: Attempt of ethnic cleansing Mosul: The Aramean Srebrinica. Who is responsible and why?

14-10-2008: Aramean indigenous nation of Iraq: Removal of article 50, exclusion, killings, persecutions, displacements and ethnic cleansing in Mosul erea

2-9-2008: Again two Arameans killed in Iraq

Killing of Priest Yusuf Adel Abudi

4-5-2008: Again a Aramean spiritual leader is killed in Iraq. This time: The West- Aramean Syrian orthodox priest Yusuf Adel Abudi in Bagdad

11-4-2008: Through all the misery: Miracles happens in Iraq

6-4-2008: Funeral of the West- Aramean Syrian Orthodox Priest Yusuf Adel Abudi

Killing of Mgr. Faraj Raho

1-3-2008: East- Aramean Chaldean bishop of Mosul, Mgr. Paulus Faraj Raho was abducted on 29-2-2008 in Mosul.

13-3-2008: The East- Aramean Chaldean bishop Paulus Faraj Raho killed in Mosul

14-3-2008: Friday 14-3-2008: Funeral of Mgr. Faraj Raho in St. Addai Church in Karemlesh

16-3-2008: Mgr. Paulus Faraj Raho: A Great Spiritual Leader and a Worthy Sheppard in Charge of Jesus Christ

23-2-2008: Aramean centre for art and culture has been opened in Ankawa, northern Iraq

7-1-2008: Aramean Churches and institutions in Iraq under Attack

22-8-2007: AINA: The international lie- and hate machine and the cause of killing, persecution and decline of the Arameans of Iraq

Killing of Priest Ragied Aziz Gannie

3-6-2007: East- Aramean Chaldean priest Ragied Aziz Gannie brutally murdered in Mosul along with three deacons by Muslim extremists

25-5-2007: Terror against Arameans (including "Assyrians" and Chaldeans) of Iraq. Ethnic cleansing of the Indigenous people of Iraq

22-11-2006: The West- Aramean Isoh Majeed Hadaya killed by terrorists in Iraq

Killing of Priest Paulus Iskandar

12-10-2006: Aramean priest Iskandar beheaded in Mosul (Iraq)

Killing of Isoh Majeed Hadaya

Aramean people: Aramean people (not to be confused with ‘Armenians’) speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Abraham, Moses and Jesus. They are the indigenous people of what was called in ancient times Aram- Nahrin, in our days it is called ‘Mesopotamia’.

Some Arameans today identify themselves with “Assyrians”, because of the spiritual colonial hate generating activities of the Western missionaries and diplomats in the Middle-East in 16th and 19th centuries. Other Arameans became known as “Chaldeans”. However all of them are Arameans.In Turkey, the Arameans are called: Süryani. In Arabic they are called Al- Suryan.

Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch condemns the attacks on the Aramean Christians of Mosul.

Dutch Version

On 2^nd of March 2010, the Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, Ignatius Zakka I, Iwas, condemned in a letter, sent to several governments and international organizations, the situation of the Aramean Christians in Mosul.

We welcome the letter of His Eminence and share his concerns on the situation of our nation in Iraq. However, below we will also drop some critical remarks.

His Eminence starts his letter saying “With extreme pain and sorrow we are watching the unfolding events in Iraq……..”.

It is indeed a satanic plan which is being carried out in Mosul by the forces of abyss. However, perhaps it would have been much better if his Eminence together with the Patriarchs of other Aramean denominations had issued a statement on this matter. It would have been much better to speak out with one voice and one stance!

… But unfortunately these criminals commit their aggression in the name of religion, which Islam itself rejects…..

This is very strange! If Islam indeed rejects this kind of crimes, why did not the highest Islamic leader who resides in Cairo (the Islamic leader of Ummah) speak a fatwa against this killings and ethnic cleansing? If Islam rejects this kind of evilness, why did not the king of Saudi Arabia for example condemn it? If Islam rejects this evil acts, how about a clear condemnation by the Islamic conference? If Islam rejects this evilness, how many Islamic leaders came forward and condemned it?

When Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair decided to attack Iraq, a overwhelming condemnation and rejection was spoken out by the de majority of the Christians and non-Christians in the Western world. And to underscore this condemnation, mass demonstrations were organized in many Western countries. How many demonstrations were organized in the Islamic countries to condemn what is happening now in Iraq? Well, many people in the West made abundantly clear that Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair were definitely not acting on their behalf! How many Islamic organizations came forward to condemn these satanic deeds against our nation if Islam indeed rejects these atrocities? Very .... very strange indeed!!!!

…… We support all Arabic governments in all our countries. We did not see or feel any persecution or discrimination factional or religious or political because Christians, by nature, are loyal and faithful to their countries wherever they are, and specially to their home land….

“We support all Arabic governments?” What is the relation between supporting the Arabic governments and terror against our nation in Iraq? This is very strange isn’t it?

How about the bloodthirsty treatment of the Coptic people in Egypt? How about killing, raping and abducting their girls and women? How about terrorizing the Coptic nation? How can one approve this evilness which is directly being carried out by the forces of abyss?

How about the horrendous acts in Darfour? Nothing to say about that? If there is no persecution and cultural extermination in the so-called “Arab” countries how is it possible that many Arameans have been “Arabised”? How do you explain that even the Aramean flag is being considered as political activity? And how do you explain that even mentioning the word “Aramean”; you immediately will be labeled as political heretic? All this is okay and “…did not see or feel any persecution or discrimination.” ? How about the oppression of the Aramean culture? Just to accept it? Millions of those who call themselves “Arabs” are in reality Islamic Arameans and they have nothing to do with the Arabs, totally nothing, they all are just Arameans. The only problem is, they do not speak out. And that is very sad.

Or perhaps should we say this "...... we should be happy not to be killed, accept just your second class citizen status...."? Is this what they understand as "Human Rights" and "tolerance" according the Islam.... not to be killed by them? And is this what they call "Islam is mercy?" You just accept your second class citizen status and this is what they call "Human Rights" in the Islamic world?

Of course this sentence clearly contradicts the reality! It is meant to please the government of Syria and has nothing to do with the real Human Rights situation; which is just terrible! Not only in Syria but in other Islamic countries as well, the spiritual leaders are oppressed to deny any persecution and cultural extermination! This is well-known method which the governments apply to polish their face and hide the reality! It is just ridiculous!

Not only the clergy, but also some organisations who are happy to photograph themselves with the members of the government in such countries, where grave Human Rights violations being committed, and subsequently come back and show their photo’s on television to fool and misguide the blind people and present their "activities" to the people.

…… Is there a conspiracy to evacuate Iraq from its Christian population, the original inhabitants...? … or are there plots sponsored by invisible hands which some call: Zionism one day, and Al-Qaida another day?.......

It is seems as if his Eminence is aware of our comments on the analysis of Mr. Wayne Madsen we put on our website a while ago: http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/Great-Israel_Ethnic_cleansing_Iraq_Arameans_29_8_2009.htm

***********The letter of the Patriarch**********

Source: http://www.socmnet.org/

With extreme pain and sorrow we are watching the unfolding events in Iraq in general and the persecutions, killings, kidnapping, ransacking holy places and injustice done to the Christian population in Iraq in particular, as if Satan has recruited those evil people to destroy the country and its people. For what reason they target the Christians who are loyal to their land and are proud of their beloved Iraqi culture, sacrificing everything even their life, for its glory and dominion.

We had previously issued condemnations for these inhuman actions which are far away from religions. But unfortunately these criminals commit their aggression in the name of religion, which Islam itself rejects. We know Iraq and its people and the loving ties between all its citizens from all religions, groups, factions, and sects.

What is happening in the city of Mosul in particular is very worrisome. Is there a conspiracy to evacuate Iraq from its Christian population, the original inhabitants...? or are there plots sponsored by invisible hands which some call: Zionism one day, and Al-Qaida another day? Or is there an outlaw group whose aim is to hurt and obliterate others, resembling the war of annihilation against the Christians in 1915?

We support all Arabic governments in all our countries. We did not see or feel any persecution or discrimination factional or religious or political because Christians, by nature, are loyal and faithful to their countries wherever they are, and specially to their home land . . . !

What is happening in Iraq ?

Nothing will convince us that those defiant rebels, outlaws of every religion or authority or state or law or humanity, that the government cannot chastise and inflict on them the punishment they deserve, which causes us to doubt the intensions of the rulers and people in charge. We call upon them, both individually and collectively, to act steadfastly and do justice to those oppressed on the hands of the transgressors as we are unable to watch our innocent children being slaughtered, murdered, and looted without any deterrent.

What account would those in charge present in front of God for allowing oppression to their citizens in the day light?... !

We call upon the presidents of the Arabic countries in general and the Assembly of the Arabic countries, the United Nations, and all the rulers of the world to elevate this terrorism and violations incurred upon the subdued and innocent Christians who cannot defend themselves although Christians in Syria and Lebanon and most of the Arab countries live in peace and security.

What makes our heart and soul rest is when we see initiatives taken by those whom we call upon in our declaration. We call upon all the decent Iraqis to stand side by side with their afflicted Christian brothers and martyrs in our beloved Iraq.

Awaiting a positive response, we pray for concord and progress in Iraq, liberation from injustice and aggression in our beloved Palestine, peace and tranquility to the Arab world, to humanity and to the whole world.

Damascus, March 2, 2010

Ignatius Zakka I, Iwas
Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.
Supreme head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church

(Declaration concluded)

Copy sent to the following:

1 – Iraqi government via the Iraqi embassy in Damascus.

2 – Ministry of Foreign Affaires in the Syrian Arab Republic.

3 – The United Nations.

4 – The Assembly of Arab countries.

5 – Organizations and diplomatic delegations in Damascus.

6 – World Council of churches.

7 – Middle Eastern Council of churches.

8 – Other media and news organizations and outlets.

The Arameans of Iraq

Before the war of 2003, there were around 800.000 Arameans in Iraq. Probably more than half of them have left the country. The attacks on their churches and leaders chased the Arameans out of Iraq.

The spiritual/political colonial Western intervention and machinations in the Middle-East divided the Arameans in various denominations, namely:

- West- Aramean Syrian Orthodox
- West- Aramean Syrian Catholics
- East- Aramean Nestorian Chaldeans
- East- Aramean Nestorian "Assyrians". The "Assyrians" are divided among themselves as follows: The Apostolic Assyrian Catholic church of the East (Since 1976, the name "Catholic" has no relation with Rome) and the Ancient Church of the East (since 1968).

The terms “East- “ and “West- Arameans” go back to the time of early Christianity where the Aramean indigenous nation was geographically termed as such. Roughly speaking the Euphrates River was the border. Those Arameans living Eastern of Euphrates, thus living in Persia, were termed “East- Arameans” and those living Western of Euphrates, thus in Roman Empire, were called “Western- Arameans”.

The designations “Chaldeans” and “Assyrians” for the eastern Arameans go back to the Western colonial activities of the 16^th (France + Catholic missionaries) and 19^th (Great Britain + Anglican missionaries) centuries. The ecclesiastical and political Western powers closely worked together and setup camps in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran where the Aramean children were “educated” through which they were completely uprooted from their Aramean origin. They thereby planted a horrible form of fanaticism in their hearts which caused them to display an immense aversion to their Aramean origin.

In the year 1553 the Western Catholic missionaries together with France brainwashed a part of the East- Aramean clergy by means of bribery to call themselves “Chaldeans” with the result that the Aramaic language became known as “Chaldean” language and a part of the Aramean nation became known as “Chaldean” nation in some parts of the Western literature, the first attack on the Aramean heritage.

As a result of mutual hatred and competition between the Western Catholics and Protestants, in the late 19^th century the same process was repeated, this time by the Anglican missionaries and Great Britain, and the other part of the East- Aramean “Nestorian” tribes of Hakkari (bordering Turkey and Iraq) and Urmia (Iran) to call themselves "Assyrians"- a term which was used purely geographically and only applied to the "Nestorians". The result was that Aramaic became known as “Assyrian” language and the Aramean nation as the “Assyrian” nation- this was the second and more severe attack on the Aramean heritage- a kind of spiritual genocide.

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Related articles:

http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/Aramean-Christians_Mosul_Killed_18_2_2010.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/Aramean_Churches_Mosul_Attack_24_12_2009.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/President_Iraq_Appeal_UN_26_10_2009.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/Arameans_Iraq_Louis_Sako_AlarmBell_1_9_2009.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/Great-Israel_Ethnic_cleansing_Iraq_Arameans_29_8_2009.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.info/English/Aramean_Churches_Baghdad_BombAttack_13_7_2009.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.org/English/Aramean_Blood_Iraq_Continues_Flow_4_5_2009.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.org/English/Attack_Aramean_Churches_Iraq_7_1_2008.htm

http://www.aramnahrin.org/English/Mosul_Aramean_Srebrinica_27_10_2008.htm

http://www.iraqichristians.org/English/Miracles_In_Iraq_11_4_2008.htm