Pope Francis has changed the Iraqi public’s perception of Christians, the head of Iraq’s Catholic Church said, a year after the pontiff made a historic trip to the country.
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans and head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, told The National the level of respect towards Christians has increased immensely since the Pope’s visit.
“The visit was a blessing for Iraq and a point of change, as Iraq finally opened up to the world,” Cardinal Sako said.
“I have to be honest with you, it has changed the way ordinary people think and their perceptions about coexistence among different religions in Iraq has shifted for the better.”
More Iraqis have started to accept the concept of diversity, he said.
“We barely hear that someone saying, 'this person is a Christian or a Muslim,'” Cardinal Sako said in a phone call from Baghdad.
The visit by Pope Francis sent a message of encouragement to not only his 1.3 billion followers but to those Iraqis attempting to recover from the extremist rule of ISIS and those growing disillusioned with their government.
The pontiff's visit from March 5 to March 8 last year consisted of trips to Baghdad, Ur — a city linked to the Old Testament figure Abraham — Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh in the Nineveh plains.
On the visit, Pope Francis repeatedly called for Iraqis to come together.
“Let the guns fall silent,” he said during a speech at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. “Enough violence, enough polarisation ... let us help the citizens who want to build this nation.”
Cardinal Sako, 73, hopes these messages will be absorbed by Iraqi society.
“The Pope sent messages of coexistence, brotherhood, integration, dignity, equality and freedom, which were imprinted in the hearts and minds of many Iraqis,” he said.
The religious leader said Christians can now walk through the streets of Iraq with their heads high.
“We used to hear vulgar words and statements but not as much any more. Even the statements in mosques ... have been positive and have encouraged integration,” he said.
Pope's visit did not bring more Iraqi Christians home
However, Cardinal Sako said there are only about 500,000 Christians left in Iraq.
After sectarian warfare broke out among Muslims after the 2003 US-led invasion, many Christians in Iraq fled abroad from the violence.
The plight of those who remained worsened when ISIS extremists seized a third of the country in 2014 and persecuted religious minorities. By 2017 ISIS had been ousted from most of its territory, including Mosul, capital of Iraq's Nineveh governorate.
“Iraqi Christians are looking for freedom and stability and want to stay away from problems,” Cardinal Sako said, adding that if the government is calling for Christians to return, they must “create safe and stable conditions.”
“This [current situation] does not encourage an Iraqi, whether he is Christian who wants dignity and freedom or not, to return home,” he said.
Reverend Karam Shamasha of Nineveh said that although the pope's visit gave hope, “the bleeding of emigration continues".
“The situation in the Nineveh plains is still unstable and unbearable for Iraqi citizens, therefore we are seeing a continuation of migration,” he told The National.
Difficult economic conditions, lack of job opportunities — especially for young graduates — harassment in the workplace and favouritism have all contributed to the decline in numbers of Christians in Iraq, he said.
Rev Shamasha said that security for Christians does not exist in Iraq and that is why the group is on the path to becoming almost extinct.
“What makes us weak in the eyes of others is that we do not have a tribe, clan or armed militias. Our main reference as Christians remains in the hands of the Church that calls its mission to be the transmitters of peace,” he said.
The Church has been calling for its followers to join government institutions but not armed militia groups.
“We believe that we can save Iraq with the existence of strong state institutions whose sole loyalty is to unite the country,” he said.
Rev Shamasha believes Iraq is a country that’s “enough for all” but the problem lies “that some narrow hearts do not want to unite to bridge a new future for the next generation”.
“If ambitions are removed, Iraq will be a country for everyone to live in peace and harmony,” he said, adding this was the message of Pope Francis’s visit.
Iraqis are ‘exhausted’
Cardinal Sako said Iraqis are worn out following decades of wars, sanctions and lack of good governance.
“We are exhausted. Iraq is a country rich in resources, there’s no justification for corruption — no religion would accept what is happening,” he said.
Cardinal Sako called on Iraqis to unite and tell the truth, “so we can see changes".
"Religion reflects the person’s conscience”.
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Virtual banks explained
What is a virtual bank?
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority defines it as a bank that delivers services through the internet or other electronic channels instead of physical branches. That means not only facilitating payments but accepting deposits and making loans, just like traditional ones. Other terms used interchangeably include digital or digital-only banks or neobanks. By contrast, so-called digital wallets or e-wallets such as Apple Pay, PayPal or Google Pay usually serve as intermediaries between a consumer’s traditional account or credit card and a merchant, usually via a smartphone or computer.
What’s the draw in Asia?
Hundreds of millions of people under-served by traditional institutions, for one thing. In China, India and elsewhere, digital wallets such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and Paytm have already become ubiquitous, offering millions of people an easy way to store and spend their money via mobile phone. Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also among the world’s biggest under-banked countries; together they have almost half a billion people.
Is Hong Kong short of banks?
No, but the city is among the most cash-reliant major economies, leaving room for newcomers to disrupt the entrenched industry. Ant Financial, an Alibaba Group Holding affiliate that runs Alipay and MYBank, and Tencent Holdings, the company behind WeBank and WeChat Pay, are among the owners of the eight ventures licensed to create virtual banks in Hong Kong, with operations expected to start as early as the end of the year.
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Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
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Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
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Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
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How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Left Bank: Art, Passion and Rebirth of Paris 1940-1950
Agnes Poirer, Bloomsbury
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
