Mourners demand accountability, bury loved ones after Iraq wedding inferno
Hamdaniya, Iraq Reuters Calls for accountability grew on Thursday for the victims of a deadly fire at an Iraqi wedding celebration in a Christian town as grief-stricken mourners attended a packed memorial service and families buried their loved ones. More than 100 people died and at least 150 were injured on Tuesday evening in an […]
Iraq wedding fire kills more than 100, relatives identify bodies
Mosul, Iraq Reuters A fire ripped through a packed wedding hall in northern Iraq late on Tuesday, killing more than 100 people in a Christian town that had survived Islamic State occupation. Fire fighters searched the charred remains of the building in Qaraqosh, also known as Hamdaniya, through Wednesday morning and bereaved relatives gathered outside […]
Iraqi woman who met the Pope sees little chance for change
Baghdad, IraqAP The story of Doha Sabah Abdallah’s personal tragedy and loss deeply resonated with Pope Francis during his historic visit last weekend to the northern Iraqi town of Qaraqosh, once devastated by Islamic State group militants. Back in 2014, her son’s death alerted the town’s Christian community to the impending IS onslaught. A mortar […]
Vatican defends Pope’s Iraq trip amid virus as “act of love”
Vatican CityAP The Vatican defended Pope Francis’ decision to go ahead with his trip to Iraq this weekend despite rising coronavirus infections there, saying Tuesday all healthcare precautions have been taken and that the trip is an “act of love for this land, for its people and for its Christians.” Francis is due to visit […]
“You’re not alone”: Iraq’s struggling Christians hope for boost from Pope’s visit
MARIAM FAM, of Associated Press, reports from Iraq…
IRAQ: PRAYING FOR A PEACEMAKER – WHAT DO ELECTIONS MEAN FOR THE REMAINING CHRISTIANS?
ABIGAIL FRYMANN ROUCH, in an article first published on World Watch Monitor, looks at what this weekend’s elections mean for Christians in Iraq…
POSTCARDS: IRAQ’S ASSYRIAN CHRISTIANS – PERSECUTION AND RESURGENCE
ZARA SARVARIAN, in an article first published by World Watch Monitor, reports from Qaraqosh in Iraq where Assyrian Christians are rebuilding their lives…
Palm Sunday celebrations mark revival of life in Qaraqosh
World Watch Monitor Palm Sunday celebrations saw thousands of Christians take to the streets of Qaraqosh. PICTURE: World Watch Monitor. For many Christian families in Qaraqosh, this Easter is particularly special, as they will be celebrating it at home for the first time since fleeing the city in 2014. The city, located in northern Iraq’s […]
More than 800,000 call on UN to protect Christians in Middle East
World Watch Monitor A petition signed by more than 800,000 people was being presented at the United Nations in New York on Tuesday, calling for the protection of Christians and other minorities in Iraq and Syria, and recognition of the key role faith leaders can play in rebuilding efforts post-Islamic State. The ‘Hope for the […]
Abducted Iraqi Christian girl reunited with her parents after three years
World Watch Monitor After almost three years in captivity, an Iraqi Christian girl abducted by the Islamic State in August 2014 has finally been reunited with her parents. Christina Abada, who is about to celebrate her sixth birthday, was welcomed home at around 10am Friday morning, local time. Locals say she was released by the […]