Iraq Christian Immigration - Assignment Example

This paper outlines the measures that need to be taken for purposes of solving the Iraq Christian immigration problems. The invasion of Iraq by the United States and allied forces in the year 2003 was able to cause so many civilian casualties; however, it did not immediately lead to a humanitarian crisis, or a mass migration of vulnerable groups. However, after a series of its counter insurgency operations and this includes attacks on cities such as Falluja, there occurred a large displacement of people, which affected thousands of people. In the year 2006, sectarian violence worsened in Iraq, leading to rising deaths, as well as to a massive displacement of people (Teule, 321). Furthermore, poverty and unemployment greatly increased in Iraq, and this is mainly because of the sectarian violence depicted in the country. Furthermore, basic needs of Iraq’s, such as food, clean drinking water, electricity and sanitation are not met. Hospital organizations do not have adequate staff, and they lack medical supplies (Teule, 319). However, the most pressing problem in Iraq is violence that was targeted against the Christians. Kerr (636) explains that after the American invasion of Iraq, Christians suffered violence from the Al-Qaeda affiliated groups, and on the other hand, Christians were discriminated from accessing social services by the Government in Baghdad. Christians could not hold any senior position in government, or a position of influence. Harding and Kathryn (99) explains that due to violence and widespread discrimination targeted at Christians, these people have been moving away from Iraq, going into the neighboring countries such as Syria and Jordan. This is for purposes of finding refuge and security in these countries. This has greatly reduced the number of Christians in Iraq, which was about one million in the early 1990s, to around 400,000 in the current years. Hanish (7) explains that the solution is not running away from Iraq, but finding ways that can be used to protect the interests of Christians in Iraq. Mahmoud (11) explains that Christians deserve protection as well as a respect for their rights, dignity and freedom. On this basis, there is a need of promoting the culture of non-violence in Iraq, and acceptance of the diversity of the people of Iraq. The most effective methods of promoting the culture of non-violence are through the use of the media, both social and print media. It is important to denote that in the current century, the social media is an important method of expressing oneself, and it has the capability of reaching a wide range of people. On this basis, the government and other religious organizations need to use the social media in preaching the message of peace, and discouraging sectarian as well religious violence. One of the long term methods of solving the immigration issue in Iraq is through education. That is educating children in primary, secondary and university institutions on the need of maintaining religious tolerance. It is essential for the government to revise the laws that promote religious intolerance, For instance, the constitution of Iraq provides that the official religion of Iraq is Islam, and therefore no law shall contradict the provisions and laws of Islam. This constitution is therefore discriminative to other religions such as Christianity in Iraq. However, Kerr (635) disagrees on this notion, and explains that in as much as the constitution of Iraq provides for an Islamic state; it also allows freedom of practicing religious beliefs, conscious, as well as freedom of thought. However, due to violence in the Iraq provinces it has been difficult to protect this right of Iraq, and hence leading to immigration of Christians from Iraq, to other neighboring countries. It is therefore essential for the government to seek the assistance of the international community in restoring law and order in areas where there is violence. Furthermore, the government of Iraq needs to assure the Iraq Christians of their commitment to protect them, giving them jobs, houses, as well as allow their children to have an access to good schools in Iraq. This action will most definitely discourage these Christians from moving away from Iraq. Furthermore, there is a need of Christians and Muslims clerics carrying out an effort aimed at promoting and maintaining national cohesion. These efforts must also lead to the removal of religious and cultural prejudice, and hence promoting the social diversity of the people of Iraq. It is therefore important for these religious leaders to support and protect humanity by encouraging reconciliation amongst themselves, neighbors, and their brothers, as well as promoting freedom of association and religion. To achieve this objective, there is a need of religious leaders, both Christians and Muslims alike to hold joint media conferences discouraging violence and promoting religious tolerance (Sako, 11). In these joint media conferences, Muslim leaders must discourage their fellows from using words such as infidels to describe Christians or people of other religions who do not ascribe to the ideals of Islam, and thus, they should call for peace. There is also a need of encouraging dialogue and negotiations with the warring factions in Iraq. They need to be reminded that the teaching of Quran encourages peaceful co-existence with Christians, and it encourages them to show them compassion through the compassionate bonds. This is because the use of violence against extremist these extremist groups would not help in promoting peace and cohesion in Iraq. It would only harden these groups, and seek to fight for purposes of advancing their agenda. In arguing against force, Harding and Kathryn (97) explain that ever since the introduction of Islam in Iraq, Muslims and Christians has always lived peacefully with each other. However, when United States attacked Iraq in 2003, the country witnessed a rise in sectarian and religious violence. The United States was unable to contain this violence, despite having troops in Iraq, and occupying most provinces in the region. On this basis, the solution of ending religious and sectarian violence in Iraq is not use of force, but dialogue and negotiating with the various groups that are promoting violence and rebelling against the government. It is important to understand that the Bible teaches against the use of violence in solving problems. For instance, in Mather Chapter 26 verses 52 to 54, Jesus explains that everybody should return the sword back to its place, he further goes on to denote that whoever uses the sword, will also dies by the same sword (Cruz, 328). On this basis, Jesus was discouraging the use of violence in solving the various social problems affecting the community. Therefore, under the Iraq situation, there is a need of dialogue and negotiation amongst the warring groups, on the need of promoting peaceful co-existence in Iraq. In negotiations, there is a need of highlighting the benefits of allowing Christians to stay in Iraq. This is because they can act as a bridge between the Western countries and Iraq, as well as they have talents and skills which can be used for purposes of promoting the economy of Iraq. It is important to understand that solving the immigration problems of the Christians in Iraq must entail the promotion of democracy in that state (Sako, 16). This involves good education and upbringing, rather than through wars and conflicts. Christians must also play a role in promoting peaceful co-existence in Iraq. This is by initiating some development projects in education, health, environment, etc. In conclusion, to solve the immigration problem of Iraq, the first step that the government needs to undertake is to discourage violence in the state. This is through preaching the message of peace, as well as engaging in dialogue and negotiations with the violent Islamic groups. Furthermore, there is a need of introducing laws that would promote cohesion amongst the various groups living in Iraq. Education should also play a role in encouraging peaceful co-existence in Iraq, and finally, the government should encourage the Iraq Christians who have fled the country to come back. Works Cited: Cruz, S.. "Book Review: Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church and the Bible." Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology 64.3 (2010): 328-329. Print. Hanish, Shak. "Christians, Yazidis, And Mandaeans In Iraq: A Survival Issue." Digest of Middle East Studies 18.1 (2009): 1-16. Print. Harding, Scott, and Kathryn Libal. "Iraqi refugees and the humanitarian costs of the Iraq war: What role for social work?." International Journal of Social Welfare 21.1 (2012): 94-104. Print. Kerr, Fergus. "Comment: Christians in Iraq." New Blackfriars 88.1018 (2007): 635-636. Print. Mahmoud, Joseph. "IRAQ Governor of Basra: We will help the Iraqi Christians to return to their homeland - Asia News." IRAQ Governor of Basra: We will help the Iraqi Christians to return to their homeland - Asia News. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2014. . Sako, Louis. "Patriarch Sako warns against migration of Christians from Iraq." abouna.org :. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 June 2014. . Teule, Herman G.b.. "Christians in Iraq An analysis of some recent political developments." Der Islam 88.1 (2012): 317-339. Print. Read More