How to help middle eastern Christians. Juliana Taimoorazy Iraqi Christian Relief Council Robert Nicholson Philos Project

Transcription

1 How to help middle eastern Christians Juliana Taimoorazy Iraqi Christian Relief Council Robert Nicholson Philos Project

2 Mission & vision Mission Aid Middle Eastern Christians by sustaining them in crisis, preserving their language and culture in exile, and securing their future in their ancient homeland. Vision Ensure the survival of Christians and other minority groups in the Middle East and, where necessary, in the Diaspora.

3 Why this project OSMTH aspires to foster a cosmopolitan society in which differences among peoples, cultures, and governments will be both respected and appreciated. We seek the betterment of humanity through education, world brotherhood, chivalric principles, and civil behavior and treatment among oneanother.

4 What is the situation?

5 Who are These Christians? Estimated worldwide population: 3 million Ethnic Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs) with cultural roots in Mesopotamia stretching back 6700 years Aramaic speakers Accepted Christianity through St. Thomas in the First Century AD Mixed Apostolic and Protestant churches Persecuted for their faith in Christianity

6 Europe Estimated population Sweden 120,000 Russia 110,000 Germany 100,000 Netherlands 60,000 France 25,000 Greece 7,000 Poland 3,000 Italy 3,000 Christian refugee cases not being not processed timely Loss of ancient language and culture

7 North America Estimated population US 500,000 Canada 50,000 Mexico 2,000 Loss of ancient language and culture

8 Middle east Estimated population Iraq 300,000 Syria 200,000 Lebanon 100,000 Jordan 7,000 Turkey 50,000 Iran 10,000 Physical threats Displacement Lack of basic needs Lack of education Lack of jobs Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

9 Our Approach Sustain Preserve Secure

10 sustain Provide humanitarian aid to Christians and all peoples in need around the world, through physical, financial, and moral support. Provide financial support for basic human needs Food and shelter Medical assistance Educational programming

11 preserve Continue programs that aid Christians around the world, especially in the Holy Land. Push European governments to process Christian refugee cases promptly and intentionally The best way to aid Assyrian Christians is to recognize and help preserve their cultural identity Integration in host countries without losing sense of national community Creation of language classes in refugee communities Promotion of Aramaic liturgy Preservation of artifacts and manuscripts

12 preserve

13 secure Facilitate, mediate and advocate conflict-prevention and resolution by providing subject matter experts and supporting organizations in the fields of religious and international diplomacy. Establish an autonomous region in the Middle East for Christians and other minority groups to ensure civil and religious liberty Religious and political diplomacy Global strategy development with regional partners National leadership training

14 secure

15 But How? Iraqi federal solution Article 125 of The Constitution of Iraq: The Constitution shall guarantee the administrative, political, cultural, and educational rights of the various nationalities, such as Turkomen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and all other constituents, and this shall be regulated by law. Requirements Humanitarian aid Multinational support, especially among regional partners Direct support for local Assyrian security forces (Nineveh Plain Protection Unit) Internationally-guaranteed protection Leadership development Economic development and assistance Post-Iraq?

16 Role of OSmth International National Individual

17 How you can help Raise funds for humanitarian needs Help preserve community and culture in exile Support security, autonomy, and development in Iraq Publicly lobby national governments to aid Assyrians directly through legitimate entities and not through intermediaries Privately aid Assyrian causes in the Middle East and around the world

18 Contact us Juliana Taimoorazy Iraqi Christian Relief Council (US) Robert Nicholson Philos Project (US)