wfn.org | [APD] Iraqi president affirms Christian presence, roots

[Christian B. Schäffler <APD@stanet.ch>]

[APD] Iraqi president affirms Christian presence, roots

>May 21, 2008

>Adventist Press Service [APD]

>Christian B. Schaeffler, 

>Editor-in-chief 

>Fax +41-61-261 61 18 

><mailto:APD@stanet.ch> APD@stanet.ch

<http://www.stanet.ch/APD> http://www.stanet.ch/APD

>CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Iraqi president affirms Christian presence, roots

Baghdad/ Iraq, 21.05.2008/APD   Iraqi President Jalal Talabani invited the
Seventh-day Adventist and other Christian churches to a formal dinner at his
residence in Baghdad last month to discuss issues related to Christian
citizens and their religious institutions. 

Baghdad Adventist Church Pastor, Fawzi Benjamin, represented the Adventist
Church during the April 26 event. There are 171 Adventists in Iraq
worshiping in three churches.

In his after-dinner address to leaders of various churches, President
Talabani acknowledged that the Christians were one of the founding
inhabitants of Iraq. 

Talabani said that Iraqi Christians are good-breed Iraqis, and among the
oldest residents of Iraq for thousands of years, and they deserve all kinds
of support and assistance from all the political leaders, government, and
state institutions. 

According to a release issued by the President's office, Talabani also
affirmed the unique role of Christians in Iraq's historical and cultural
heritage.

He asked them to embrace their country and their history and encouraged the
Christians not to leave Iraq in spite of the difficult situation the country
is passing through.

Talabani emphasized that he will do his best to lift the unjust and
oppression imposed on Christians, and will work on solving their problems
and fulfilling their legal demands, "We in the presidency, and also the
premier, are convinced that it is necessary to defend the Christians on all
levels, at the same time, we are ready to respond to all their important
needs," it added quoting Talabani. 

The President also stressed "the important role played by clerics in
fighting the dark terrorist ideology, spreading love and peace education,
and encouraging people on unity and national brotherhood."

The Christian leaders expressed some of their needs and challenges to the
president. He promised to study them and follow up personally.

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