As Casey outlined plans for additional security, the Vatican confirmed that Archbishop Basile Georges Casmoussa, 66, a leader of the ancient Syrian Catholic Church, an arm of the Roman Catholic Church, had been kidnapped Monday in Mosul.This article is actually reporting on the attacks as the election draws nearer. This information about the kidnapping was throw in because it represents an incident in the types of attacks we are witnessing as each day passes.
Casmoussa reportedly was seized as he walked outside his church in the largely Sunni city, which has become a hotbed of violence in recent weeks, authorities said.
The kidnapping was the latest assault on Iraq's small Christian minority, which has been the target of church bombings, assassinations, abductions and other acts of violence since the U.S.-led overthrow of Hussein helped embolden religious extremists in this overwhelmingly Muslim nation. Tens of thousands of Christians have fled Iraq and many more plan to leave the land where their ancestors have lived for a thousand years, community leaders say.
Muslims in this country are divided. I don't know if anyone cares one way or another, but there are different Islamic sects and they don't all agree. It must be difficult to be raised in a religious environment like that - where you are literally forced to be a Muslim. Forced to say "I know/serve God, like this". I would rather a person came to know and serve God on their own accord. I would rather they had been an atheist all their life until they hit their thirties or forties or fifties or sixties...however long it took them...when they finally came to the realization of God for themselves. Why? Because it was their free will they made the choice to know and serve God. Not some national constitution.
The Shiites and the Sunnis are two major Islamic sects. From what I have been reading, it appears that the Shiites are looking forward to the elections, but the Sunnis do not want it. The Shiites have been facing many assassinations and attacks. I don't know if it makes any difference (I have a feeling it might), but this article says that Sadam Hussein is a Sunni.
I'm sure I've read somewhere that the Sunnis came into that country because they were brought in by Sadam. Originally, that was not their "home", but basically came in and began occupying the land. I've got to find that information again, but it could explain a lot about the reason for all the conflict.
I'm really hoping for the best for these elections in Iraq because I know there are many Iraqis who are going through a lot of hell and heartache to see this through. For the first time in Iraqi history, women are running for positions in government office...but they are doing so secretly because of the attacks. These people deserve a better way of life.
References:
- Priest Is Abducted - LA Times | ABC News
- Covertly Running
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