For Iraq's Christians Bush's war rings in fear at Christmas

[ProSense]

Fear overshadows Christmas joy in Baghdad
By Omar al-Ibadi
Fri Dec 23, 9:59 AM ET


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Just six women came to evening prayers a few days ahead of Christmas, leaving rows of pews empty in the dimly lit church.

It wasn't always this way.

"We used to celebrate this occasion by praying, and hundreds of believers would gather and wish each other well in the church lobby," said Father Boutros Haddad, the priest at the church in Baghdad's predominantly Christian neighborhood. "But we've stopped this because of the security situation."

Yet another somber Christmas is rolling by for Iraq's roughly 600,000 Christians, who enjoyed relative freedom under Saddam, but now live in fear of attacks from increasingly powerful Islamist groups and militias.

Since Saddam's downfall, churches have been bombed, Christian-run liquor stores attacked and many more in the small community killed or kidnapped.

CHAINED TO SADNESS

Many have already abandoned Iraq for less dangerous pastures like Jordan and Syria. Others do not dare venture out to church.


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In years gone by, churchgoers would arrive at mass at 9:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and spill out onto the streets after midnight, hugging and wishing each other, recalls Mohammad Hikmat, a tutor at the Virgin Mary church.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051223/ts_nm/iraq_christmas_dc