Photo By Spc. Ben Washburn | Auxiliary Bishop Schlemon Warduni gives communion to an Iraqi Christian during a...... read more read more
By Cpl. Ben Washburn
4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs
BAGHDAD – Nov. 15 marked an important day for the residents of the Doura neighborhood as Iraqi Christians returned to conduct worship services at St. John's Church.
Bishop Schlemon Warduni, Auxiliary Bishop of the Chaldean Church, came to St. John's, in the heart of a southern Baghdad neighborhood where violence had been the worst and al-Qaida most strongly entrenched, to give the first mass since May 5.
With Christians, Muslims, as well as Iraqi security and coalition forces on hand, Bishop Warduni delivered a mass praying for peace and unity for all of Iraq. The Christians in the audience took communion to conclude the service, culminating a day more than six months in the making.
"This service is a reflection of the current security situation in Doura," said Harker Heights, Texas, native Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "Only a few weeks ago AQI had the Iraqi populace in the grip of terror but they've been pushed out and the people have returned to worship."
Tired that their Christian friends had been forced out by al-Qaida, Muslim leaders sought a way to bring these families back into the community. Lt. Col. Stephen Michael, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, said the Muslim community played a significant role in the events of the day.
"Some of the first people that called for the opening of the church were the Muslims here, that have lived in this muhalla (neighborhood)," said Michael, a native of Newark, N.J., as he stood in the church courtyard in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Many Muslim leaders attended the service as a sign of friendship and support to their Christian neighbors. Their attendance could be a sign that Muslims in the area have rejected al-Qaida and embraced their Christian friends.
St. John's Church hasn't been spared from the destruction of war. In 2004, the church was attacked by terrorists and largely destroyed. It has since been rebuilt. Just a few weeks ago, Christians there raised a new cross on the steeple of the church.
Doura's diversity has always been a strength of the neighborhood. Nestled up against the Tigris River, a large percentage of Baghdad's Christian community called Doura home. In the spring, al-Qaida terrorists began a campaign to force those Christians out of their homes. However, thanks to the efforts of Iraqi security forces and the coalition, the security situation changed dramatically in Doura.
"A lot's changed in this muhalla. We've come through and cleared out pretty much all of the bad guys we can find. People feel safe now," said Sgt. 1st Class James Lee, a native of Glennville, Ga.
Today, the Doura market is a vibrant center of commerce. More than 400 shops sell everything from fruit and vegetables to toothpaste and shampoo. Doura's streets are filled with the shouts and laughter of children playing, as well as going to and from school. Businesses line the streets and shops stand on corners, with customers lining up in an area where people hardly ever ventured outside just a few months ago.
The streets are clean, and the residents take pride in their neighborhood. The families that live there have formed friendships with the Soldiers from the 2-12th Infantry Regiment.
Speaking after the mass, Bishop Warduni delivered a message of peace for everyone.
"We pray for peace in every country," the bishop said, "that in this war, our lord protects everybody, and the peace of the lord be with you, always."
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2007 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 13973 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 328 |
| Downloads: | 320 |
This work, Doura Celebrates Church Re-opening, by SPC Ben Washburn, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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