Iraq

A guide prepared by Oasis to understand the ecclesial, interreligious and socio-political dimensions of Pope Francis’ visit to Iraq

Francis’ trip to Iraq from the perspective of Jawad al-Khoei, Secretary-General of the al-Khoei Institute in Najaf, a centre that promotes Shi‘a theological knowledge and interfaith dialogue, which insisted that the Pontiff visit the Iraqi holy city

Right from its birth, the Iraqi state has been based on the monopolization of power by one of its various constituent sectarian groups. Nowadays, in addition to its structural limitations, the political system is being held hostage by the clash between Iran and the United States, the two countries that have sponsored its creation

In Iraq the American project, aggravated by local responsibilities, has had devastating effects: it created a link between jihadism and secular anti-Western movements and it injected an ethnic-religious sectarianism that has lacerated the socio-political fabric of the country

The fall of Saddam’s regime has thrown the Iraqi Arab Sunni into a representation void. ISIS has ably ridden this wave, leaving the legacy, today, of a young generation that has been “militarized” and “sectarianized”

Mosul’s falling into the Caliph’s vicelike grip has been only the most recent black page in the history of Christian persecution in Iraq

Mosul, the architectural heritage put at risk by the American invasion first, and the Islamic State today

A visit to the monastery of Al Qosh, the last refuge of displaced people from Mosul where “whoever wears a cross around their necks runs the risk of being murdered.” And yet there is the belief that the climate of terror may finish: “Despite our misfortunes the moment of mutual understanding appears to us to be nearer.”