杏MAP导航

By Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Several faith-based organizations operating in Iraq have issued a joint interreligious statement welcoming 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� Apostolic Journey to the country which is scheduled from 5 鈥� 8 March.

The Tuesday joint statement, co-signed by 29 organizations 鈥� both Catholic and non-Catholic 鈥� expressed collective anticipation of the papal visit, joyful that it will bring with it, a message of fraternity and dialogue to the middle eastern nation.

Iraq鈥檚 challenges

Recounting the history of Iraq 鈥� 鈥渢he birthplace of Abraham, father of many in faith,鈥� the statement highlights that is a beautiful country of rich cultural and religious diversity within which many ethnic and faith communities have lived side by side for many centuries. However, recent decades have been marked by war, insecurity and the rise of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) which have 鈥渄eeply strained relations between communities and damaged the country鈥檚 social fabric.鈥�

Still yet today, 鈥淚raq still faces daunting challenges,鈥� said the organizations. 鈥淎mong the 1.2 million Iraqis who continue to be internally displaced and approximately 4.8 million returnees, many are in dire need of help.鈥� All these, coupled with a worsening economic crisis, further exacerbated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, is 鈥減ushing many into poverty and depriving the government of resources need to assist its own people.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� message of universal fraternity

The joint statement recalls that in the Holy Father鈥檚 latest Encyclical, Fratelli tutti, he writes that religions have a role to play at the service of fraternity in the world. In the same vein, the Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity underscores that 鈥渇aith leads a believer to see in the other a brother or sister to be supported and loved鈥� and believers are called to express fraternity through safeguarding creation and supporting all people, especially the poorest and those most in need.

Inspired by these, the organizations express their support for the 鈥渕essage of fraternity and dialogue that 杏MAP导航 Francis is bringing to Iraq鈥� adding, that they believe 鈥渋t represents a necessary way forward to heal past wounds and build a future for the country鈥檚 diverse communities鈥� as they continue to collaborate with authorities to help communities 鈥渞econcile, rebuild peace, and reclaim their collective rights to safety, services and livelihoods.鈥�

At the same time, the organizations reiterated their commitment to continue to serve and empower people without discrimination on the basis of their needs, and respect others鈥� cultural values and religious convictions while rejecting all forms of sectarianism and proselytism, strengthen. They also promised to strengthen inclusive initiatives and approaches that foster social cohesion, as well as intensify collaboration between themselves in the service of those in need.

Finally, the faith-based organizations urged the international community to 鈥渞emain engaged in supporting the Iraqi people to overcome their current challenges, in a true spirit of human fraternity and solidarity.鈥�