Christmas In Iraq
Christians represent a dwindling minority of the Iraqi population. But those that remain were able to celebrate Christmas as an official holiday for the first time this year. While estimates vary greatly it is believed there are still a few hundred thousand Christians remaining in the country. Christian leaders in Iraq have stated the number has declined by two-thirds since the U.S. invasion of 2003. But this Christmas has come without the extreme levels of violence that drove so many out of Iraq during the same period in 2004 and subsequent years.
Christianity in the region dates back to second century Assyria, Babylonia and Persia which comprised major parts of what are now Iraq and Iran. By the eighth century the influence of what are today referred to as Assyrian Christians was felt as far east as China. Many fled Iraq as a result of the political turmoil of World War I resulting in large settlements in Chicago and San Francisco but they still represented the largest non-Muslim minority in the aftermath with a population of about one million. They would remain relatively unmolested until the 2003 invasion of Iraq when they became the target of insurgents. Even Saddam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, was Assyrian Christian.
During the years leading up to the Surge Christian clergy members were constantly subject to threats, abuse, kidnapping, torture and murder. The faithful lived in fear of the same and the exodus continued. As recently as spring of 2007 Christians in Baghdad were under constant threats by fighters loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr to adorn veils and conform to other Muslim norms or face grave consequences. Further demands included the payment of tribute or conversion to Islam. At times Al-Qaeda would check ID of commuting bus passengers and simply shoot those who weren’t Muslim.
The act is a bold move by the Maliki led government in Iraq where ambivalence toward U.S. and western troops, who celebrate Christmas within secured compounds, are widely perceived as modern Christian Crusaders returning to the Middle East to once again capture the Holey Land. And there are, to be sure, some radical Shiite factions within the government supported by the likes of Moqtada al-Sadr will continue to protest in public forums and through violent proxies in the streets. But there are also many, like President Jalal Talabani , a prominent Kurd, who understand all factions must have their place. It is more evidence that a central Iraqi government can be the last appeal for justice rather than the power of tribal and religious leaders.