FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

London, Nov. 9 2010: At 12:00 noon, 8^th November about 350 people gathered in front of parliament demonstrating against the massacre which took place on October 31, 2010 in Baghdad at the Our Lady of Deliverance Cathedral the Seat of the Syriac Bishop of Baghdad. The demonstrators were asking the British government to condemn the attack and to put pressure on the Iraqi government to afford more protection to the Iraqi Christians living in Iraq. After all it was the British government who was partly responsible for the chaos in Iraq. As usual the demonstration was a very peaceful event. Similar rallies were held at the same time in about 20 cities around the world.

We are concerned that there has recently been a call for a mass exodus of Christians from Iraq which if it takes place, could mean a huge impact on the European Community and on the United Kingdom in particular. We appreciate how compassionate and caring the British public is, however, we are thus asking the government to do more to protect those that wish to stay in their own country but at the same time welcome some of those that wish to leave and accept them into this country.

So far the British government has been silent and the British media almost indifferent. We urge the media with a voice to shout loud enough so the government can take notice.

Even the French government offered to treat the wounded and, in fact, 38 of the injured, including the heroic Father Qutaimi, were taken to France yesterday by special medical plane for treatment. We wish the British government had made a similar gesture.

The Churches of the Iraqi Communities in the United Kingdom will hold a remembrance service for the bereaved families of the Massacre at 19:00 on Friday 12th November 2010  at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 41 Brook Green, Hammersmith, London, W6 7BL

Statement by Fr. Nizar (Syrian Catholic Mission in the UK) http://www.icin.org.uk/documents/SCM_Mar_Behnam_Eng.pdf

The Mass was originally scheduled for Friday the 5^th of November.  However at the request of the Westminster Archbishop’s office, who wants to participate in the Mass and asked to rearrange the time to next Friday the 12th. The Mass will be attended by Bishop Alan Hopes who will be carrying a message from Archbishop Vincent Nichols, as well as others. A second Mass will be arranged later this month at Westminster Cathedral. The service will also be attended by many family members of the victims, Under secretary of the Iraqi Embassy, MP for Hammersmith, as well as several dignitaries.

Issued from ICIN (Iraqi Christians In Need)

A U.K. registered Charity (Registration no: 1119427)

Contact: Joe Obayda

PHONE: +44 20 8335 3339

Email: [email protected]