The Islamic Republic of Iraq

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'The Islamic Republic Of Iraq'

By Ken Joseph Jr.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (ANS) -- It was about 11 AM at the Gewargis Sliwa family home. Preparing to go to his way to work, Gewargis Sliwa (Name change to protect his identity) heard something.

It was a knock on the door. He opened it to find two young men standing in front of him.

Respectfully, they greeted him and said, "We are visiting the neighborhood to let people know that this area is now part of the Islamic Republic of Iraq. We are asking people to make a choice between converting to Islam if they are not already Muslims, pay the monthly tax (approximately $200,) or leaving the area."

He was stunned, and before Sliwa could say much they were gone. Needless to say he moved that same day to a relative's home in a safer area of Baghdad, as did most of the Christians in the Dora area of Iraq.

"They were polite. They were young Iraqi boys from another part of town," he said. "They are with Al Qaeda. What can we do?"

Iraq map The problems faced by the Assyrian Christian community in Iraq is complex. Previous to the fall of Baghdad, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, their numbers were approximately 2.5 million, or roughly 10% of the population.

Current estimates put nearly 500,000 in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Syria as refugees and at least that number displaced within the country.

"Probably the main reasons we are being targeted is because we are seen as weak with nobody supporting us," said Robert Odisho, a spokesman for the Assyrian Christian Community in Iraq.

"The Islamic Republic of Iraq is an Al Qaeda group that has moved into the Dora area of Iraq from Rammadi south of Baghdad."

This map adapted from original at Atlas of the Orient made by Tore Kjeilen - Click here for an even better map of Iraq

The pattern of taking over communities and targeting vulnerable areas of the population is taking place in wide areas of Iraq.

Odisho and others urge those outside of the country to contact the Multi National Forces directly to urge their protection for the Assyrian Christians - the most vulnerable in the current Iraqi mix.

Those concerned may send an email to cpicpressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil or call 703 270 0299.

Our people are very afraid and some have taken refuge in our Churches. The only hope we have is for an Assyrian Province in our homeland in the North of Iraq where we can live in safety.

Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki has recently joined a number of other Iraqi Government officials in calling for an Assyrian Province according to the Iraqi Constitution as a way of bringing back those displaced.

The first step according to those close to the discussions is to establish a Security Zone around the proposed Assyrian Province to allow those from outside Iraq and other parts of the country to come.

The Assyrian Christians are the indigenous people of Iraq and the first nation to convert to Christianity.

Ken Joseph Jr., who was born in Japan, heads up www.assyrianchristians.com and has written weekly columns in the Asahi Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun and currently writes in The Japan Times. He regularly comments on Social Affairs for CNN/Fox TV, BBC, ITN, ABC and in Japan for TV Asahi, NHK, TBS, NTV and others.