Religious leader wants Iraqi churches to enhance co-operation ..BY: By
Shamini Darshni ..LD: KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. – Iraqi churches can open a
new chapter of co-operation between Christians and Muslims to
establish greater solidarity between them, said a Mid

New Straits Times (Malaysia)
Aug 03, 2004

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon. – Iraqi churches can open a new chapter of
co-operation between Christians and Muslims to establish greater
solidarity between them, said a Middle East church leader.

Dr Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syrian Orthodox Church of
Antioch said solidarity had never been more important.

“The World Council of Churches can play a significant role in bringing
Christians and Muslims together not only for inter-religious
dialogues, but other dialogues on life and culture as well,” he said.

The church in Iraq, he said, played an important and active role
recognised by the Government.

“Churches in Malaysia should pay attention to what is happening in
Iraq, in view of the diminishing number of Christians there. The same
has been seen in Turkey, Iran and Palestine.

“We do not know whether it is Iraq’s turn now. We are losing our
people,” he said in an interview at the World Council of Churches
Faith and Order Plenary Commission meeting here.

Responding to the bombing of several churches in Iraq yesterday, which
killed at least three people, Gregorios said two Armenian and two
Syrian- Orthodox churches were bombed.

“In my opinion, it was not the Government or the United States or the
Muslims. Maybe it was the work of fanatics,” he said.

He added it would be dangerous if a perception took root that
Christians should be in the West and Muslims in the East.

Bishop Nareg Alemezian of the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicosate
of Cilicia), who shared that view, noted that this was the first time
churches were targeted in the unrest.

“Maybe (the bombers) were trying to cause a religious conflict,” he
said, warning there could be more attacks.