wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Justice and peace demanded after Iraqi tragedy

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World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 01/09/2005

IRAQI TRAGEDY DEMANDS RESTORATION OF JUSTICE AND PEACE

Reacting to the tragic events at Baghdad's Kadhimiya mosque on 31 August,
which Iraqi authorities fear have claimed the lives of up to a thousand
Muslim pilgrims, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches
Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia expressed the heartfelt condolences and deep sympathy
felt by Christians worldwide at this loss of life.

Kobia stated "we are deeply shocked by the tragic events in Baghdad
yesterday, in which hundreds of innocent pilgrims died. We share in the
sense of grief and pain at this tragic and unnecessary loss of human life.
Together with the churches of Iraq, we express our solidarity and
compassion with the Muslim community of Iraq and with all citizens of this
war-torn country."

In a letter to the Iraqi president Mr. Jalal Talabani, Kobia added that
"This incident, however, is, a direct result of the present environment of
fear and intense security measures that have worsened in the country since
the occupation by foreign military forces. The World Council of Churches
has consistently advocated for sustained diplomatic efforts to restore
peace in Iraq to enable the people to lead a normal life with dignity.
This tragic event comes as a grim reminder to the international community
of their obligation and urgent need to restore peace and justice for all
communities in Iraq."

> The full text of the message appears below:

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the World Council of Churches, a fellowship of 347 member
Churches all around the world, I express my condolences and concern at the
recent tragedy in your country. The stampede that resulted in up to a
thousand deaths, mostly women, children and elderly people and injuries to
hundreds of others, occurred while members of the Shi'a community gathered
at Baghdad's Kadhimiya Mosque, to commemorate the anniversary of the death
of Imam Ibn Jaafar Al-Khadim. It is indeed painful and heart-rending that
this should have happened on such a solemn occasion.

This incident, however, is a direct result of the present environment of
fear and intense security measures that have worsened in the country since
the occupation by foreign military forces. The World Council of Churches
has consistently advocated for sustained diplomatic efforts to restore
peace in Iraq to enable the people to lead a normal life with dignity.
This tragic event comes as a grim reminder to the international community
of their obligation and urgent need to restore peace and justice for all
communities in Iraq.

We request Your Excellency to convey our heartfelt condolences and deep
sympathy to the victims and their families and to the leaders of the
Islamic community.

We pray that God in His mercy give courage and patience to those who have
suffered and lost their near and dear ones. We also pray for Your
Excellency and the leadership of Iraq as you endeavour to meet the
humanitarian and emotional needs of the people of Iraq in the aftermath of
this unfortunate tragedy.

Assuring you of our prayers and continued support.

Yours sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia
General Secretary
World Council of Churches

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 347, in
more than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian
traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works
cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly,
which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally
inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.