The Iraq-based leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Louis Sako, will leave Baghdad and settle in the northern autonomous Kurdish region, he said on Saturday, amid heightened tension with a powerful Christian militia leader.
For months, Mr Sako, has been embroiled in a war of words with a Christian lawmaker and militia leader, Rayan Al Kildani. Both accused each other of exploiting their clout to illegally seizing Christian-owned properties.
Mr Al Kildani is the leader of the Babylon Movement, whose militia fought ISIS within the state-linked Popular Mobilisation Forces, a network of largely pro-Iran paramilitaries. Since then, he forged strong alliances with powerful Tehran-allied Shiite militias.
In his statement on Saturday, the cardinal condemned the government's "silence" over what he described as a campaign against him by the Babylon Movement.
He has "decided to withdraw from the seat of the patriarchate in Baghdad", the statement said, and would instead settle at one of the monasteries in Kurdistan in the country’s north.
Tensions have intensified since early July, drawing in President Abdul Latif Rashid who cited constitutional grounds in his decision to revoke a 2013 presidential decree that recognised Mr Sako as head of the Chaldean Church, allowing him to administer the community's endowment.
The presidency justified its decision, saying the decree had no "constitutional or legal basis" as the president "only issues appointment decrees for employees of government institutions".
Mr Sako considered the decision was an attack against him. But Mr Rashid rejected the claims, saying the decision "is not intended to undermine the religious or legal stature of the cardinal".
In his statement, Mr Sako dubbed the tensions a "dirty game", sarcastically suggesting the "protector of the constitution" – President Rashid – entrust the administration of the church's assets to Mr Al Kildani and his brothers.
Mr Sako is a key interlocutor between the Iraqi government and its Christian minority and is outspoken about the grievances the Christian community has faced since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime.
He was the architect of Pope Francis' historic visit to the country in 2021.
In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Mr Al Kildani and another Shiite militia leader, calling them "perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption".
Mr Al Kildani is the leader of the 50th Brigade Babylon militia and the US has accused him of "serious human rights abuses", including cutting the ear off of a handcuffed prisoner.
Christians in Iraq trace their roots back to the beginning of the faith nearly 2,000 years ago, but with the rise of extremism after the 2003 invasion, targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom against the community forced many to flee the country.
The houses and businesses of those who fled have since been taken over illegally, mainly by gangs using forged property documents.
Community leaders estimate that the number of Christians in Iraq has dropped to about a third of the estimated 1.5 million who lived in the country before 2003.
Many have fled the violence that has plagued the country over the past 20 years.
In northern Iraq, where much of its Christian population lives, entire villages were forced to flee as ISIS took over large swathes of land in 2014. The terror group has now been almost entirely defeated, but many displaced Christians do not wish to return.
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
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Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance: the specs
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On sale: October to December
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Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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