Heads of churches in Mosul urge media to stop stirring up sectarianism : Aswat Al Iraq

Heads of churches in Mosul urge media to stop stirring up sectarianism : Aswat Al Iraq: "Heads of churches in Mosul urge media to stop stirring up sectarianism

October 15, 2008 - 08:01:45

NINEWA / Aswat al-Iraq: Heads of churches in the city of Mosul called on their followers to stay calm, urging mass media to stop stirring up sectarian tension among all Iraqis, a statement said on Tuesday.
“They also called Muslims scholars to increase efforts to calm down the situation and urge citizens to respect principles of religious freedom,” said the statement received by Aswat al-Iraq.
“Recent threats against Christians in Mosul scared them and forced a number of Christian families to leave their house, jobs and headed for neighboring villages and towns,” it added.
At least 12 Christians have been murdered in Mosul over the past two weeks, a number of Christian homes have been destroyed, and hundreds of families have fled.
“We Christians have always lived with and continue to coexist with our Muslim brothers, in the same country in a climate of peace and fraternity and a spirit of affection and cooperation,” the statement added.
The targeted killings of Christians in Mosul have forced around 1,000 Christian families to leave their homes and seek sanctuary in safer areas.
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