Terror kills Christmas in Baghdad as Muslim fanatics force Christians underground
CHRISTMAS has gone underground in Baghdad this year with the leaders of one of the world's oldest Christian communities taking the extraordinary step of warning followers that it is too dangerous to openly celebrate Christ's birthday.
"We have told everyone that there should be no public parties or large gatherings and people should do their own celebrations in their homes," said Ra'ad Emmanuel, the head of the government-backed Iraqi Christian Endowment.
Interviewed in the endowment's offices in Baghdad, Mr Emmanuel said the departure of American troops last Sunday had left Iraq's embattled Christians fearing more than ever for their safety and their future.
In the six days since US forces ended their eight years and eight months in Iraq, the country's power-sharing government has rapidly unravelled and a renewed wave of terrorist bombings has been unleashed.
Read this story at theaustralian.com ...
"We have told everyone that there should be no public parties or large gatherings and people should do their own celebrations in their homes," said Ra'ad Emmanuel, the head of the government-backed Iraqi Christian Endowment.
Interviewed in the endowment's offices in Baghdad, Mr Emmanuel said the departure of American troops last Sunday had left Iraq's embattled Christians fearing more than ever for their safety and their future.
In the six days since US forces ended their eight years and eight months in Iraq, the country's power-sharing government has rapidly unravelled and a renewed wave of terrorist bombings has been unleashed.
Read this story at theaustralian.com ...