The recent historic visit by Pope Francis to Iraq has brought the name of Mesopotamia to top Arab and international headlines, but this time in the context of “fraternity and peace” rather than bombings, conflict and extremism. The visit came under the theme “You are all brothers” as an opportunity to call for an end to violence and bigotry. In his first speech, the Pope said, “The age-old presence of Christians in this land, and their contributions to the life of the nation, constitute a rich heritage that they wish to continue to place at the service of all.” He added, “Iraq’s Christian community should have a prominent role as citizens with full rights, freedoms and responsibilities.”
During the visit, the Pope went to Najaf where he met with the Iraqi Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani for 55 minutes, in a meeting that emphasized peace and dialogue. Some describe the meeting as an extension to the meeting between Pope Francis and Sheikh Al-Azhar Ahmad El-Tayyeb in the United Arab Emirates. Following the landmark meeting, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi declared March 6 the National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in Iraq.
The Pope went afterwards to Ur of the Chaldees, which is said to be the birthplace of Abraham, where he held an interreligious prayer of “the Sons and Daughters of Abraham,” joined by representatives of different Iraqi religious groups and sects, emphasizing values of peace, coexistence and tolerance.
The pontiff also went to Erbil to hold an evening mass attended by about 10,000 persons.
In a humanitarian gesture, the Pope met with the father of Alan Kurdi, the three-year old boy who became a symbol of immigrants across the Mediterranean after he drowned along with his brother and mother off a Turkish coast in 2015 in their way to Europe. Moreover, the Pope went to Mosul to see the destruction that took place in the city. He visited the Catholic Church of Immaculate Conception in Qaraqosh, where called upon the local Christians to rebuild their country on the basis of forgiveness and fraternity.
LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MESSAGES
In this regard, the Muslim preacher and scholar Modhar Alhilou, who attended the religious gathering in Ur, told Majalla, “The Pope’s visit has sent local messages inside Iraq, to indicate that you should rebuild your country and be proud of it. The visit also restored confidence, delivered people from their frustration, and fostered understanding and closeness.”
He added, “There are also international messages that stress the urgency of dialogue.”
Alhilou went on to say, “The visit broke the stereotype drawn by media through 18 years of reports about Iraq as a country of conflicts, bombings and killings. It has revealed the true image of Iraq as an old-established nation whose ancient people brought writing and law to mankind in early times, and where the world knew the innovations of the bicycle and the sail. The historic journey has proved Iraq is worthy of international attention, not an arena for conflicts over narrow personal interests.”
Was the visit able to help Christians settle in their land?
Alhilou answered, “This cannot be attained without taking practical steps on the ground. When any Iraqi, whatever his religion, is threatened, he is forced to search for another place to lead a dignified life. Thus, the state should provide suitable conditions for people who left Iraq to return, especially since Iraqis usually don’t leave their country unless there are very tough circumstances.”
THE VISIT’S OUTCOMES
As for the impact on the domestic Iraqi scene, Alhilou said, “We cannot count on the same political forces that missed valuable opportunities to start off towards construction and stability, in which they previously failed.” He added, “We don’t rely on political results of the visit; rather, there would be effective cultural, religious and intellectual outcomes; decreased levels of hatred and an environment for dialogue.”
In connection, Alhilou indicated that “The Pope and al-Sistani’s meeting highlighted a possibility of dialogue among different religions and faiths, which could reach an understanding.” He explained, “This historic meeting is a very significant turning point in our people’s lives. No doubt, it will mark a change, and its consequences will be worthy of attention.”
WRONG SIGNALS FOR CHRISTIANS
Not far from Alhilou’s view of the visit, Basil Hussein, the head of Kulwatha Center for Studies and Measurement of Iraqi Public Opinion, told Majalla that “It is too early to judge the visit’s ability to reassure Iraqi Christians.”
He said, “Iraq’s cultural diversity is being emptied,” explaining “while the pontiff was traveling across Iraqi cities, the parliament was debating a draft law on the Federal Supreme Court, which states that Sunni and Shiite religious clerics are exclusively entitled to sit at court tribunals and to have the right of veto and that other faiths have no representation. This violates article 92 which states that the tribunal should only include judges.”
He added, “This discriminatory move had very negative indications during the visit and gave Christians a wrong message, as tolerance is achieved by actions not words.”
“Since 2008, a systemic campaign has been launched to seize the properties of Christians, by fraud gangs led by militia-affiliated groups, particularly in Baghdad. Unfortunately, different religious authorities did not do anything to solve the problem, and so far the cause is left without legal action. This has led to displacement of Christians,” explained Hussein.
Hussein summed up the visit saying, “The visit has left a very positive spiritual impact, but will not lead to change in the conduct of Iraqi political circles, who are taking over money and power, and are keen on maintaining the de facto religious order that is far from fostering the sense of citizenship.” He continued, “The visit has brought back international attention to Iraq, and supposedly it was a golden chance for politicians to seize the opportunity, but they missed it as they have previously done.”
Hussein confirmed that the Pope and al-Sistani’s meeting was “of high significance to Najaf Marji’, due to the conflict over Shiite representation between Qum and Najaf. I think this was a triumph for Najaf.” He added, “That’s why we saw comments that ‘If it was not for Iran, we wouldn’t have seen this visit.’ There was, also, a sort of implied reservation by Iran and its Iraqi allies regarding the visit.”
In his return to Rome, the Pope replied to a question about a possible apostolic visit to Lebanon saying, “Lebanon is a message… Lebanon is suffering.” He remarked that the Patriarch Moran Bechara al-Rahi invited him to stop in Lebanon during his flight back from Iraq, but the pontiff viewed that Lebanon should not be just a stop with regards to its suffering. He clarified that he sent a letter to the Lebanese Patriarch and promised he would visit Lebanon which is facing a “life crisis”. He also praised Lebanon for its generous hosting of refugees.
THE POPE AND THE LEBANESE CRISIS
The papal statement came in line with the Lebanese Patriarch’s call for the neutrality of his country and for a UN-sponsored international conference to save Lebanon. Could the Vatican support this initiative? What approach will the Patriarch’s call take, given the public protests in various Lebanese regions?
The former Lebanese minister Sejaan Azzi said that “His Holiness the Pope’s declaration that he will visit Lebanon soon is an achievement for the Patriarch who invited and convinced him to consider Lebanon a top priority for the Vatican.”
“His visit to Lebanon will be a turning point in resolving the Lebanese crisis. Remarkably, four months ago, the Pope urged the Vatican diplomacy to address Lebanon’s case in all friendly countries. It is expected that the Holy See’s bid will move forward, particularly in the presence of US President Joe Biden who shares a mutual respectful relationship with the Pope. Thus, the Vatican is definitely capable of helping Lebanon,” the former Lebanese official said.
As for the Patriarch’s initiative, Azzi said, “What the Patriarch proposed will take a long time to come true. Suggesting Lebanon’s neutrality and an international conference to be sponsored by the UN means two long roads which we must strive to walk.”
He explained, “Both proposals represent the aim and the means. Neutrality is an aim as it provides sovereignty, independence and stability of Lebanon, while the international conference is the means; the last refuge to save the country after all other attempts had failed.”
“If the Patriarch waited for consensus on his proposals, they would not be justified. He announced them due to the divisions that are fragmenting the country. Of course some will accept his offer and others will reject it. Importantly, these proposals should be negotiated and addressed in a dialogue. The bid has notably gained the support of a majority of Lebanese sects as well as international understanding and backing. The problem is that we live in a country that is aligned to a Syrian-Iranian axis, and does not have freedom of decision. Consequently, it cannot adopt these proposals.”
