Memorandum submitted by Jubilee Campaign
The new Iraqi constitution that is currently
being drafted gives non-Muslims only limited freedom of religious
practice. This is deeply disappointing as throughout the Arab
Islamic world, non-Muslims, especially Christians, are denied
full religious freedom and treated as second class citizens and
the Coalition Provisional Authority should fully utilise this
golden opportunity to ensure that Iraq has laws and a constitution
which guarantee religious freedom and equality of all religious
groups under the law. This should include officially recognising
the right of Muslims to convert to other religions and permitting
all people, including non-Muslims, the full right to religious
observance and the sharing of their faith with others.
Iraq can be made a good example for the rest
of the Arab Islamic world as an Arab country which not only has
democracy but also full religious freedom. Despite his many gross
human rights violations, non-Muslim Iraqis under Saddam Hussein
enjoyed relatively more religious freedom and security than they
do now. For example, since the fall of Saddam's regime, there
have been reports of escalating attacks by Muslim extremists against
Iraqi Christians. This escalating anti-Christian violence has
even led to several Iraqi intellectuals and politicians calling
upon Islamic religious leaders, the Iraqi Governing Council, other
political party leaders and the Coalition Authorities to prevent
Shi'a Muslim groups attacking Christians.
A call by over 200 mainly Muslim intellectuals
and political leaders from Iraq to stop attacks on Christians
and cease forcing women to wear the veil was published on Sunday
4 January 2004 on the Arabic website Elaph. The call was directed
at Muslim clerics, the Iraqi Governing Council and the Coalition
Authorities. The declaration said "horrific" crimes
had been committed against women in forcing them to wear the veil,
but worst of all was the "terrorising of our Christian brothers",
intimidating them to become Muslims. Shi'a militant groups which
bear names such as God's Vengeance and Hezbollah have been subjecting
the Christian community in Iraq to a relentless series of attacks
over the last six months or so. Iraqi church leaders have also
been speaking out against the increasing anti-Christian persecution.
Bishop Al-Qas has said that missiles were launched
against a convent in October 2003, and that Christians have received
death threats, with many fleeing from Basra. I urge you to write
to the Minister, Baroness Symons, at the Foreign Office, about
these issues. I enclose for your convenience a draft letter which
can be signed and sent or simply used as a guide if you wish[63].
P.S: It would be tragic if so many British and
other lives were sacrificed only to create a power vacuum in Iraq
which the Islamic fundamentalists fill.
Wilfred Wong
Jubilee Campaign
February 2004
63 Not printed. Back
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