Iraqi-American Christians rally in Detroit ‘to stop the genocide’

Iraqi Christians rally in Detroit: Holding red crosses, Iraqi-American Christians walk down Woodward Ave. from Hart Plaza to the McNamara federal building to highlight the plight of Iraq’s minorities.Niraj Warikoo/Detroit Free Press

By Niraj Warikoo

Concerned about the plight of Iraq’s minorities, about 1,000 Iraqi-American Christians rallied Friday in downtown Detroit, part of an effort raise awareness about their dwindling population in Iraq as extremists gain power.

Carrying red crosses and signs that read “Save the Christians of Iraq,” the crowd prayed at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit and then walked to the McNamara federal building, chanting: “Stop the genocide in Iraq” and “We demand action.”

The rally was one of several that have been held in recent weeks by metro Detroit’s sizable Iraqi-American Christian population, one of the biggest in the U.S. Protests have been held in Southfield, Sterling Heights, Birmingham and Troy to call attention to the growing violent attacks on Iraqi Christians and other minorities such as Yazidis. They also are meeting with officials to gain support for humanitarian relief.

Friday’s rally was led by local Chaldean (Iraqi Catholic) leaders and featured several Catholic prayers. Bishop Francis Kalabat of Southfield, who heads the Chaldean Church in the eastern half of the U.S, compared the plight of Iraq’s minorities to what Jesus Christ suffered.

“This is what Jesus went through,” Kalabat told the crowd. “This is what Jesus experienced. This is the God we believe in. This is the God who will continue to carry Iraq until the end of time.”

At 3 p.m., Francis told the crowd: “It was 3 o’clock when Jesus died. It is now 3 o’clock. … Jesus is suffering, but Jesus is alive.”

Francis called “for an end to all terrorism” in Iraq and around the world.

“We pray for every single person who is in pain, not just those related to us by blood or by faith.”

James Salman of Shelby Township came to show his support. Like many others at the rally, he wore a T-shirt with a quote from the Bible, Galatians 6:17, that reads: “For I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

“Innocent people are getting killed,” he said. “Stop ISIS from killing our people.”

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama blasted ISIS, also known as the Islamic State and ISIL, after a video was released showing ISIS decapitating American journalist James Foley. On Friday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said ISIS is America’s biggest terrorist threat.

“ISIS are criminals,” said Dr. Jacoub Mansour of West Bloomfield, who helped organize the rally. “They’re killing our people. They’re raping our women. We need to protect the Christians.”

Last week, local Chaldean leaders met with senior United Nations officials, including UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson. After their meeting, the UN Security Council declared the situation in Iraq a level 3 emergency, the highest level, said Auday Arabo, a Chaldean advocate in West Bloomfield who was part of the delegation meeting with UN officials.

And on July 31, a group met in the White House with officials and congressmen. They’re asking for protection so Christians can return to their homes or a safe passageway. Some also are asking the U.S. for help to bring in Iraqi refugees, like France is currently doing, said Martin Manna, director of the Chaldean Chamber of Commerce in Southfield.

“It’s an ongoing genocide taking place against Christians and other minorities,” Manna said.

At the end of the prayers at Hart Plaza, Francis urged the crowd: “Pray with the cross. This is what strengthens us. This is what makes us Christians.”

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792. Follow on Twitter www.twitter.com/nwarikoo

Iraqi Christians rally in Detroit: Holding red crosses, Iraqi-American Christians walk down Woodward Ave. from Hart Plaza to the McNamara federal building to highlight the plight of Iraq’s minorities.Niraj Warikoo/Detroit Free Press
Bishop Francis Kalabat, head of the Chaldean Church in the eastern half of the U.S., addresses a crowd of about 1,000 Iraqi-American Christians on Friday at Hart Plaza. Francis called ‘for an end to all terrorism’ in Iraq and around the world. / Niraj Warikoo/Detroit Free Press
The protesters walking to the McNamara Federal Building. Bishop Francis Kalabat, head of the Chaldean Church in the eastern half of the U.S., addresses a crowd of Iraqi-American Christians at Hart Plaza in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. / Niraj Warikoo/Detroit Free Press