Freedom and a Culture of Intolerance: Will Religious Minorities Survive in the Middle East?

[Valin]

Heritage Foundation:

Published on Jun 10, 2015

A deadly intolerance of religious minorities has swept through a number of areas in the Middle East in recent months. Radical Islamism under the banner of ISIS has particularly threatened ancient Christian communities. What can be done to secure the future of these religious communities in embattled areas? What characterizes a culture of intolerance, and how should it be addressed? Join us for observations from Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, reporting on his recent visit to the conflict zone in Iraq, as he shares thoughts about the future of religious minorities in the region.

[Valin]

Christians Displaced by ISIS Are Coming to the Aid of Iraq's Religious Minorities; Yazidi Leader Says 'Our Faith Does Not Help Us' but the Church Helps Everyone

Samuel Smith , CP Reporter
June 11, 2015

 

WASHINGTON — Although Iraqi refugees who fled their homes to escape ISIS are now homeless and living in tents, containers and other makeshift housing arrangements in the Kurdish north, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said Wednesday that the morale of displaced refugees is much higher than the media is portraying.

 

Nazir-Ali, who is the former Anglican Bishop of Rochester, an author and current president of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue, explained during a discussion at the Heritage Foundation that the non-discriminatory involvement that the Christian church community has put forth in supporting Iraqi refugees of all faiths has led those displaced by the barbaric Islamic State to be uncharacteristically hopeful.

 

Along with an ecumenical delegation of bishops, Nazir-Ali recently visited with refugees in northern Iraq as a guest of the Chaldean Catholic Church and was astounded to find that the refugees, who have lost just about everything due to ISIS, were in much higher spirits than he was led to believe before his visit.

 

(Snip)