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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jul 24, 2008 - 12:30:18 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Auxiliary Bishop Schlemon Warduni gives communion to an Iraqi Christian during a worship service Nov. 15 at St. John's Church in Baghdad's Doura neighborhood. The church celebrated its first service since May 5, with many Muslim leaders from the neighborhood in attendance. Photo by Spc. Ben Washburn, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. |
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Nov. 15 marked an important day for the residents of the Doura neighborhood, as Iraqi Christians returned to conduct worship services at St. John's Church.
Bishop Schlemon Warduni, Auxiliary Bishop of the Chaldean Church, came to St. John's to give the first mass since May 5. The church is located in the heart of a southern Baghdad neighborhood known for violence and as an al-Qaeda stronghold.
With Christians, Muslims and Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces on hand, Bishop Warduni delivered a mass prayer for peace and unity for all of Iraq. The Christians in the congregation took communion to conclude the service, culminating a day more than six months in the making.
"This service is a reflection of the current security situation in Doura," said Harker Heights, Texas native Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "Only a few weeks ago, AQI had the Iraqi populace in the grip of terror, but they've been pushed out and the people have returned to worship."
Tired of their Christian friends being forced out by al-Qaeda, Muslim leaders sought a way to bring these families back into the community. Lt. Col. Stephen Michael, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, said the Muslim community played a significant role in the events of the day.
"Some of the first people that called for the opening of the church were the Muslims here that have lived in this muhalla (neighborhood)," said Michael, a native of Newark, N.J., as he stood in the church courtyard in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Many Muslim leaders attended the service as a sign of friendship and support to their Christian neighbors. Their attendance could be a sign Muslims in the area have rejected al-Qaeda and embraced their Christian friends.
St. John's Church hasn't been spared from the destruction of war. In 2004, the church was attacked by terrorists and largely destroyed. It has since been rebuilt. Just a few weeks ago, Christians raised a new cross on the steeple of the church.
Doura's diversity has always been a strength of the neighborhood. Nestled against the Tigris River, a large percentage of Baghdad's Christian community called Doura home. In the spring, al-Qaeda terrorists began a campaign to force those Christians out of their homes. However, thanks to the efforts of Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces, the security situation changed dramatically.
"A lot's changed in this muhalla. We've come through and cleared out pretty much all of the bad guys we can find. People feel safe now," said Sgt. 1st Class James Lee, a native of Glennville, Ga.
Today, the Doura market is a vibrant center of commerce. More than 400 shops sell everything from fruit and vegetables to toothpaste and shampoo. Doura's streets are filled with the shouts and laughter of children playing and traveling to and from school. Businesses line the streets and shops stand on corners, with customers lining up in an area where people hardly ever ventured to just a few months ago.
The streets are clean and the residents take pride in their neighborhood. The families that live there have formed friendships with the Soldiers from the 2-12th Infantry Regiment.
Speaking after the mass, Bishop Warduni delivered a message of peace for everyone.
"We pray for peace in every country," the bishop said, "that in this war, our Lord protects everybody, and the peace of the Lord be with you, always."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Muslim sheiks from Baghdad's Doura neighborhood attend a church service at St. John's Church Nov. 15. The sheiks attended the service as a sign of support and friendship to their Christian neighbors. The southern Baghdad church held its first service since May 5. (U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. Ben Washburn, 4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO) |
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| Auxiliary Bishop Schlemon Warduni conducts mass at the St. John's Church in southern Baghdad's Doura neighborhood Nov. 15. The mass was the first held at the church since May 5. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ben Washburn, 4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO) |
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