Good News from Iraq
February 2, 2009
Posted by
The Voice of the Martyrs
Categories
How about some good news for this Monday. Over the weekend Iraq held some elections, and it is being reported at AsiaNews.it that there was no violence against the Christian community in Mosul.
The elections for the renewal of the
provincial councils proceeded smoothly. 51% of eligible voters went to
the polls. In Mosul as well, there were no episodes of violence against
the Christian community, the target of kidnappings and persecution.
January of 2009 was the month with the fewest killings since 2003, and
violence has fallen by 42% since December of 2008.
... Sources for AsiaNews in Iraq confirm that even in Mosul, in the northern part of the country, the theater of a violent anti-Christian campaign in recent months, there were no security problems. "The elections represent a significant first step," the source recounts, "toward the process of creating democracy in Iraq." There were no slogans "praising religion," and attention was centered on "candidates who promoted concrete projects in favor of the population, like schools, hospitals, electricity production, which, still today, is often unavailable during the day."
The unfolding of the elections has induced "cautious optimism" in view of "the elections at the end of the year: this is the true testing ground on which the country and the political class will have to demonstrate that they have overcome divisions, disagreements, extremism. A secular and balanced parliament, not characterized by a confessional or religious identity, will be of assistance for the stabilization of Iraq." "It is too soon to claim victory," he concludes, "but the signs of hope are there."
Full story here.
... Sources for AsiaNews in Iraq confirm that even in Mosul, in the northern part of the country, the theater of a violent anti-Christian campaign in recent months, there were no security problems. "The elections represent a significant first step," the source recounts, "toward the process of creating democracy in Iraq." There were no slogans "praising religion," and attention was centered on "candidates who promoted concrete projects in favor of the population, like schools, hospitals, electricity production, which, still today, is often unavailable during the day."
The unfolding of the elections has induced "cautious optimism" in view of "the elections at the end of the year: this is the true testing ground on which the country and the political class will have to demonstrate that they have overcome divisions, disagreements, extremism. A secular and balanced parliament, not characterized by a confessional or religious identity, will be of assistance for the stabilization of Iraq." "It is too soon to claim victory," he concludes, "but the signs of hope are there."
Full story here.