Iraq

In the past year he had organised a tribal alliance that pushed terrorists out of western Iraq. Last week he had met US President Bush.

The diocese of Ahmadiya hosts a meeting of some 300 young people who came together to reflect upon mission’s meaning in today’s Iraq and on the ways to meet the challenges that terrorism and sectarian violence represent for the local Church, all without losing hope.

The Chaldean bishop Msgr. Sako sends greetings in Arabica head of the Holy month which begins September 13th. He invites the Christian faithful to unite themselves in prayer with Muslims for “unity, stability, life and dignity of all Iraqi’s”. The diocese proposes a dinner with the city’s religious leaders.

According to eye witness accounts, officers are “controlling” various monasteries across the Country, following the monks protests against rising fuel costs. Pamphlets urge the religious to refuse the traditional charity donation offered by the military, unless the Junta apologises for its violent repression of protests within six days.

Mgr Rabban al-Qas, bishop of Ahmadiya, agrees with the Petraeus report with regard to the drop in attacks, especially in Baghdad. A real solution though must come from Iraqis themselves, from educating the people to the values of peace and democracy learnt since 2003.

The “Iraqi Islamic State” has announced fresh suicide attacks against British and American forces during the holy month of Ramadan. Little outcome from the Helsinki peace meeting between Sunnis and Shiites.

Sr Raphael, who accompanied the Blessed to Baghdad in 1991, speaks to AsiaNews about Mother Teresa’s witness of faith and charity, “an inexhaustible source of comfort and love, the greatest blessing of a lifetime”.

According to the UNHCR the number is constantly augmenting. Apart form the violence wracking the country, immigration is also fuelled by difficulties in social and health services. The US offers 30 million dollars to aid the crises but western borders continue to remain closed.

Over 2 million people are expected to make their way to the Holy City by Tuesday. The circulation of vehicles is banned to avoid possible car bombs. Check points, body checks and house by house controls in every quarter.

Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds announce agreement on some ‘key issues.’ White House welcomes move, but analysts invite caution. Sunni block warns they will continue their boycott of the government.

22 Chaldean bishops and priests from Northern Iraq completed their spiritual exercises yesterday in Komané. Prayers and reflection on the role of the priest “hope amidst persecution”. Archbishop of Kirkuk: “our courageous priests dream of a strong Church which denounces injustice and contributes to reconciliation”.

Saddam Hussein's cousin and 14 other officials from the former regime are in the dock accused of crimes against humanity for the slaughter of about 100,000 Shias in 1991. Alì Hassan al-Majid has already been sentenced to death for his role in the Anfal campaign in northern Iraq against Kurds.