Assyrian American National Federation Condemns the Killing of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho in Mosul, Iraq.

Chicago, Illinois – March 13, 2008
It is with great sadness to learn of the death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul, Iraq. The Assyrian American National Federation is appalled by the kidnapping and killing of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho and strongly condemns all cowardly acts committed against the Christians of Iraq. The continued persecution of the Assyrian / Chaldean / Syriac, the indigenous people Iraq, must come to an end. Our existence of 7,000 years in our ancestral homeland, Iraq, is being threatened by the fascist Islamists acts of terrorism.
We demand from the government and the religious leaders of Iraq to take immediate action in remedying the families of all hatred-crime victims, seeking the protection of the Christian minorities of Iraq. Likewise, we ask that the world community not to turn a blind eye on the Christian minorities, safe-zoning a self-governance for all minorities in Iraq. Peace and balance must be restored in Iraq.
The Chicago Assyrian community mourns the death of our martyr, the beloved Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, and the families of all three victims who fell to their death at the hands of the calculated heinous crimes against the Assyrian / Chaldean / Syriac people and all Christian minorities in Iraq.

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Founded in 1933, the Assyrian American National Federation is a non-profit organization that strives to unite the Assyrian Nation by protecting and promoting the progression of Assyrian culture, education, and religion and humanitarian rights.