The Muslims of Britain condemn the atrocious crimes of murder of Christians in Iraq (Report, 11 November) and they express their deep sorrow and sympathy for the families of the victims of the heinous crimes committed by people who in reality have nothing to do with any religion. It is a great tragedy that even seven years after the overthrow of the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussain, and in spite of enormous financial and other resources thrown into Iraq, the country has yet not seen a strong and viable government which could maintain law and order. This a tragedy not only for the Christians, but all the people of Iraq. One fails to understand what role the US army is playing. If the object of the US army is to provide a viable government in Iraq, then it has certainly failed to do so.
While we understand the concern of the Iraqi archbishop in London about the safety of the Christians in Iraq, we cannot agree with his advice for the Christians to leave Iraq. For more than 1,000 years Christians, Jews and Muslims have lived in peace and harmony as good neighbours, and we have no doubt that they will continue to do so. The present suffering of Christians is a part of the tragic political situation suffered by all the people of Iraq. The Christians in Iraq are a part of Iraq. The majority of the Christians are not likely to leave Iraq and, if they do so, those who are left there are likely to be more vulnerable.
It is incumbent upon the US to bring pressure on the Iraqi politicians to bury their differences and come to some agreement which will enable them to form a strong government able to provide the security that the whole country needs. It is important that the Muslims in Iraq and the world over should come forward to express their condemnation of persecution of the Christian minority and to give whatever spiritual, material and practical help they can.
Shaikh Shuja
Chairman, British Muslim Council
While we understand the concern of the Iraqi archbishop in London about the safety of the Christians in Iraq, we cannot agree with his advice for the Christians to leave Iraq. For more than 1,000 years Christians, Jews and Muslims have lived in peace and harmony as good neighbours, and we have no doubt that they will continue to do so. The present suffering of Christians is a part of the tragic political situation suffered by all the people of Iraq. The Christians in Iraq are a part of Iraq. The majority of the Christians are not likely to leave Iraq and, if they do so, those who are left there are likely to be more vulnerable.
It is incumbent upon the US to bring pressure on the Iraqi politicians to bury their differences and come to some agreement which will enable them to form a strong government able to provide the security that the whole country needs. It is important that the Muslims in Iraq and the world over should come forward to express their condemnation of persecution of the Christian minority and to give whatever spiritual, material and practical help they can.
Shaikh Shuja
Chairman, British Muslim Council
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