No Room in America for Christian Refugees

The following excerpts are from AINA.org. All emphases are mine:

At the end of World War II, the Jewish survivors of Europe's Holocaust found that nearly every door was closed to them. "Tell Me Where Can I Go?" was a popular Yiddish song at the time. Decades later, the Christians of the Middle East face the same problem, and the Obama administration is keeping the door shut.

America is about to accept 9000 Syrian Muslims, refugees of the brutal war between the Assad regime and its Sunni opposition, which includes ISIS, Al Qaeda, and various other militias. That number is predicted to increase each year. There are no Christian refugees that will be admitted.

Why? Because the Department of State is adhering with all the rigidity of a Soviet era bureaucracy to the rule that only people at risk from massacres launched by the regime qualify for refugee status. The rapes of Christian women and the butchery of Christian children do not count. No matter how moved Americans were this Christmas season by the plight of their fellow Christ followers in Syria and Iraq, no matter how horrific the visuals of beheadings, enslavement, and mass murder, the Christians fleeing death do not engender the compassion of this president. The Christians are being raped, tortured, and murdered by militias, not by the Syrian government. This technicality condemns them to continue to be victims without hope. And this technicality is being adhered to with all the tenacity with which President Franklin D. Roosevelt's State Department manipulated quotas and created subterfuges to keep out the Jews fleeing the oppression of Nazi Germany. Obama no more wants the Middle East's Christian refugees than Roosevelt wanted Europe's Jewish refugees.

We have seen in the last several weeks that President Obama has no difficulty using his "phone and his pen," as he dramatically boasts, to circumvent the law. When it comes to immigration, he had no difficulty enacting an amnesty that a federal judge subsequently ruled unconstitutional. He has had no problem circumventing Congress to change the relationship with Cuba. This president has shown that he will push back on the constraints of law when he wants to get something done.

But there are not even such constraints when it comes to the Middle East's Christians fleeing the brutality of ISIS and Al Qaeda. The Department of State chooses to adhere to a definition of refugees as people persecuted by their own government. What difference does it make which army imperils the lives of innocent Christians? Christians are still be slaughtered for being Christian, and their government is incapable of protecting them. Does some group have to come along--as Jewish groups did during the Holocaust--and sardonically guarantee that these are real human beings?

The Christians would barely have to be vetted for ties to terror organizations, which by their very nature do not take Christians. Meanwhile, there is the uncomfortable issue that among the Sunni refugees there are some in league with the Sunni terror militias. And beyond that there is the equally uncomfortable question of the acculturation of segments of the Muslim community.

...it is time for all people of good will to say to the Obama administration that telling Christians awaiting death that there is no room for them in the inn is not only unacceptable, it is also, to use President Obama's own words, "not who we are." This season, Christians need to make their voice heard. They should not act as the Jews did, waiting for a president who had no intention of doing anything, to do something.

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No Room in America for Christian Refugees

Priests Race to Save Manuscripts From Jihadists in Iraq

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

As fighters from the Islamic State group rampage across northern Syria and Iraq, a group of priests are racing against time to save what's left of the region's Christian heritage. Dominican Order priests have already managed to get many precious artifacts and manuscripts safely to Erbil in Kurdistan.

Reports of massacres and beheadings of Christians and other minority groups have scared thousands into fleeing the jihadists' advance. In a region regarded as the cradle of civilization, it's no surprise that the rapid advance of the militant fighters has alarmed those looking to preserve the region's heritage.

The Dominican Order [also known as the Order of Preachers] - a Roman Catholic religious order founded 800 years ago - has deep roots among Christian communities in northern Iraq. For decades, Najeeb Michaeel - an Iraqi priest belonging to the Order - has worked to collect and preserve precious manuscripts. Now with the rise of the Islamic State group, his work has become all the more important.

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Priests Race to Save Manuscripts From Jihadists in Iraq

Syria's Christians Under Threat

The following excerpts are from Aina.org:

The wildfire victories of the Islamic State (IS, formerly the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) in northern Iraq and Syria have left the area's minorities under threat.

Torn between fighting back and leaving for good, Assyrians, Syriacs, Armenians, and Kurds, all inhabitants of the area and part of its rich historic legacy, are weighing their ever-diminishing options.

IS policies, inspired by a fanatical version of Islam, were made clear in its conquest of Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. There, they destroyed Christian and Shiite places of worship and demanded that all non-Muslims pay the jizya, an ancient poll tax, observe a certain dress code, or convert to Islam.

Exile is another option that the IS has offered to the conquered population. Many escaped before the arrival of the hardened followers of the Al-Qaeda affiliate, which recently declared its leader a caliph and demanded that all Muslims obey him.

Last week, IS forces converged on Al-Hasakah in northeastern Syria, a province dominated by Christians, and claimed it would annex it to its expanding territories.

IS leaders said that they plan to "liberate" the provincial capital of Al-Hasakah from the "hands of the infidels," an epithet which it uses indiscriminately in reference to Muslims and non-Muslims who oppose its brutal methods.

The IS has proved itself to be a tough adversary in battle. Its fighters are toughened by years of fighting in both Iraq and Syria, and have a high morale after their recent successes. Armed with superior weaponry stolen from the arms depots of the Iraqi army, IS fighters are now engaged in skirmishes near Al-Hasakah, testing the city's defences before an assault.

Inside the city, the various communities have come together to defend themselves. Reports from the beleaguered city speak of a growing coalition of Kurds, Christian militia, and regime forces -- groups that have conflicting agendas but are now united by the threat of a common enemy.

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Syria's Christians Under Threat

Syrian Female Refugees on Sale on Facebook

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

• A few thousand euros are enough to buy Syrian women, including minors, who have fled their war-torn country and are living in refugee camps, Arab human rights groups have denounced.
• The groups are sounding the alarm on the plight of women who are on sale as "Syrians up for marriage" on Facebook.
• This phenomenon is not new. Last year, reports alleged that Syrian women living in refugee camps in Jordan, Turkey and Iraq had been sold to men from Arab countries, in particular from the Gulf area. Rights groups also denounced cases of violence and sexual harassment in which victims were as young as 12 and 13 years of age.
• The Facebook page publicizing Syrian refugees who could be bought as wives was closed on Thursday after hundreds of activists and human rights' lawyers protested. But it had thousands of followers between May 17-21 including prospective clients interested in the women who were portrayed with little on. Some posts showed the picture of women "looking for a husband" with a brief profile on their chastity and their ability in domestic work.
• But to get a better insight into the "goods" on sale, men had to send an email to start negotiations. According to Arab NGO Kafa, which has repeatedly denounced the phenomenon, clients mostly hail from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Yemen and Bahrain.
• Among the announcements was one publicizing "refugee girls of all ages and religious confessions" to satisfy all applications from Sunnis, Shiites and Christians in a climate of growing religious polarization.

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Syrian Female Refugees on Sale on Facebook

Pope Francis' Appeal For Nuns Kidnapped From The Santa Tecla Monastery, Syria

Vatican City, 4 December 2013 (VIS) – After today's catechesis, the Pope appealed to all present to pray for the nuns of the Greek Orthodox monastery of Santa Tecla and the Christian people of Maaloula, Syria, forcibly abducted by armed men two days ago and whose whereabouts are now unknown.

“Let us pray for these nuns, for these sisters”, he asked, “and for all those who have been kidnapped as a result of the current conflict. Let us continue to pray and act for peace together. Let us pray to the Virgin”.

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Largest massacre of Christians in Syrian conflict : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from CatholicCulture's Catholic World News:

• Rebel forces massacred 45 Christians in the west-central Syrian town of Sadad, according to Syrian Orthodox Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh.
• Islamist rebels entered the town on October 21; a week later, it was captured by government forces.
• “What happened in Sadad is the most serious and biggest massacre of Christians in Syria in the past two years and a half,” said the prelate, according to the Fides news service. “45 innocent civilians were martyred for no reason, and among them several women and children, many thrown into mass graves. Other civilians were threatened and terrorized. 30 were wounded and 10 are still missing.”

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Largest massacre of Christians in Syrian conflict : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

Op-Ed Writer For WSJ On Syrian War Lied About PhD From Georgetown

Do you remember Elizabeth O'Bagy? Let me refresh your memory. She is the 26 year old "Syrian researcher" who penned an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), that was later cited by both Secretary of State John Kerry and Senator John McCain during congressional hearings about the use of force in Syria. Ms. O'Bagy was initially represented as a "senior analyst" at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), and was referred to as "Dr. O'Bagy" by Senator McCain when he read from her piece to Secretary Kerry during last Tuesday's senate hearings. Then the next day, Kerry, during the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, described her article as "very interesting" and urged committee members to read it

It was later proven that Ms. O'Bagy was not only a "senior analyst" (at age 26?) at ISW, BUT, "Ms. O’Bagy is affiliated with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a nonprofit operating as a 501(c)(3) pending IRS approval that subcontracts with the U.S. and British governments to provide aid to the Syrian opposition,” from the WSJ clarification added later to the article.

Now we have the following news from Politico, that shows that the woman Kerry and McCain both found so "knowledgable" LIED about having a PhD. from Georgetown University, and was fired from ISW. So let me ask you. Do you think whether or not the USA should go to war, be it Syria or anyplace else, should hinge on the advice from any 26 year old? I certainly do not.

I am sure we can look forward to more incompetence to come from members of the Obama administration, as well as Senators like McCain And Graham.

Read more from Politico here: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/wall-street-journal-elizabeth-obagy-fired-96637.html#ixzz2ecAfxYw8

From The Dignitatis Humanae Institute: DHI Warns G20 Summit: "Blood for Blood" is no Pathway to Peace in Syria

Note: The following is a press release from The Dignitatis Humanae Institute

Rome, 6 September 2013

 

Speaking in Rome for his hopes of a genuine political effort to end the Syrian conflict, Luca Volontè stated: "The proposals for outside military intervention currently debated within Western media circles and the corridors of power promise an increase to the kill count whilst offering no applicable roadmap to a cessation of the conflict.  The calls for stand-off missile strikes represent the misguided thinking of 'something must be done, this is something, therefore we must do it.'  These reprisals will only add to the distress of a besieged population, blood for blood is not the solution to the Syrian conflict."

Noting the breakdown of communication between key UNSC power-brokers, Mr Volontè appealed for both sides to re-engage in negotiation: 

"Rather than an upsurge in intra-state warfare, efforts would be far better concentrated on assisting the displaced refugees and redoubling efforts towards a political solution.  An attempt to end this war by military victory for either side will only lead to violent reprisals against the vanquished and the descent into never-ending sectarianism.

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute appeals and adds its voice to His Holiness Pope Francis in calling for a ceasefire and the return to peace talks.  The international community has a pivotal role to play in bringing both sides back to the negotiating table in an effort to find a workable political solution."

Luca Volontè also expressed concern for the two arch-bishops, Paul Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim, who remain missing following their kidnapping.  The overwhelming majority of rebel-held territory is now ruled under Shariah Law, and the hunting of Christian clergy has become widespread.  Under Islamist rule, any Christian found within this territory is now required to pay the jizya, a punitive fine dealt against non-Muslims.  Mr Volontè noted; "Until anarchy and Islamism give way to pluralism and stability, the overlooked human tragedy of Syria's Christians will continue to until their elimination."

The Dignitatis Humanae Institute aims to uphold human dignity based on the anthropological truth that man is born in the image and likeness of God and therefore has an innate human dignity of infinite worth to be upheld. The Institute promotes this understanding by supporting Christians in public life, assisting them to present effective and coherent responses to increasing efforts to silence the Christian voice in the public square.

John McCain and 'Allahu Akbar'

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

• Tuesday morning, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) got a bit hot under the collar when Brian Kilmeade of Fox News noted that the Syrian rebels whom Barack Obama and McCain want to aid militarily were shouting "Allahu akbar! Allahu akbar!" as rockets hit Syrian government offices. McCain's response to Kilmeade demonstrated not only his ignorance of Islam, but his abysmal misjudgment of what is happening in Syria. And on the basis of that ignorance, he is aiding Obama's rush to yet another war.
• "I have a problem," Kilmeade said, "helping those people screaming that after a hit." That incensed McCain, who shot back: "Would you have a problem with an American or Christians saying 'thank God? Thank God?' That's what they're saying. Come on! Of course they're Muslims, but they're moderates and I guarantee you they are moderates."
• Wrong on all counts. In the first place, it does not mean "thank God," as McCain seems to have affirmed when he said, "That's what they're saying." Allahu akbar means "Allah is greater" -- not, as it is often translated, "God is great." The significance of this is enormous, as it is essentially a proclamation of superiority and supremacism. Allah is greater -- than any of the gods of the infidels, and Islam is superior to all other religions.
• Al-Islam.org states this obliquely: "Allahu akbar implies that God is superior to all tangible and intangible, temporal and celestial beings." This may seem to be an innocuous theological statement until one recalls that Islam has always had a political aspect, and Islamic jihadists always shout "Allahu akbar" when attacking infidels. It is a declaration of the superiority of their god and their way of life over those of their victims. 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta also stated that it was meant to make the infidels afraid. He wrote instructions to jihadists that were found in his baggage: "Shout, 'Allahu Akbar,' because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers."

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John McCain and 'Allahu Akbar'

Syrian Minister: US Strike on Syria 'Would Benefit Al-Qaeda'

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

• Any US military action against Syria would amount to "support for al-Qaeda and its affiliates," Damascus has said.
• Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad also told the BBC that armed groups backed by America - not Syrian troops - had used chemical weapons.
• The US says it has evidence that Damascus used the nerve agent sarin in a deadly attack in August.
• President Barack Obama has vowed punitive action but wants Congress to vote on the issue first.

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Syrian Minister: US Strike on Syria 'Would Benefit Al-Qaeda'

A Troubling Call From Syria

The following excerpts are from AINA:

• Early this morning [August 26] I received a phone call from Mary, a friend in Sweden who was born in Syria. She wanted me to check my Facebook account. A young Syrian woman, Nour, wanted to become friends with me. I accepted the request. A minute later, Nour wrote me her first message. She had pictures from Tabqa, a town that was totally emptied of Christian Assyrians [AINA 8-2-2013, 8-4-2013, 8-9-2013]. Nour also had the contact information of victims of fundamentalist Islam. They, the victims, want the world to know what has happened to them. A group of non-Syrian Mujahedeen drove them out of their homes.The message from the perpetrators was "convert to Islam or leave". I called one of the victims, and heard horrifying stories about religious and ethnic cleansing.
• Christians in Syria are a vulnerable group. They comprise approximately 8 percent of the population. Tabqa used to be a modern city with cinemas, hairdressers, fashion boutiques and restaurants. Now it is driven by men in beards who no longer allow any of that.
• An hour after my interview with that refugee, US Secretary of State John Kerry declared "there must be accountability" on behalf of the victims of a chemical weapon attack. Considering all the evidence emerging from witnesses, from images, from human-rights groups and from medical information provided by Doctors Without Borders, Kerry said "these all strongly indicate" that "chemical weapsons were used in Syria," and that they were fired by the Syrian government.
• Doctors Without Borders didnt' appreciate its medical reports being used as a justification for possible military action. It issued a statement stressing that only "an independent investigation" can determine whether the hundreds of boides arriving at hospitals Aug. 21 were killed by chemical weapons, and that the organization has not placed blame anywhere.

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A Troubling Call From Syria

Syrian Rebels Used Sarin Nerve Gas, Not Assad's Regime: U.N. Official

The following excerpts are from Assyrian International News Agency:

• Testimony from victims strongly suggests it was the rebels, not the Syrian government, that used Sarin nerve gas during a recent incident in the revolution-wracked nation, a senior U.N. diplomat said Monday.
• Carla del Ponte, a member of the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, told Swiss TV there were "strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof," that rebels seeking to oust Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad had used the nerve agent.
• But she said her panel had not yet seen any evidence of Syrian government forces using chemical weapons, according to the BBC, but she added that more investigation was needed.
• Damascus has recently facing growing Western accusations that its forces used such weapons, which President Obama has described as crossing a red line. But Ms. del Ponte's remarks may serve to shift the focus of international concern.

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Syrian Rebels Used Sarin Nerve Gas, Not Assad's Regime: U.N. Official

Syrian Bishop Warns Intervention Could Spark 'World War'

The following excerpts are from Assyrian International News Agency:

• A Syrian Chaldean Catholic bishop on Monday warned that an armed intervention in Syria could unleash a "world war", while the Vatican's official newspaper called for more "prudence" from Western powers.
• "If there is an armed intervention, that would mean, I believe, a world war. That risk has returned," Monsignor Antoine Audo of Aleppo told Vatican radio.
• "We hope that the pope's call for real dialogue between the warring parties to find a solution can be a first step to stop the fighting," he said.
• Audo is also the head of the Syrian arm of the international Catholic charity Caritas and has repeatedly warned about the human cost of the war.
• The Vatican daily, L'Osservatore Romano, meanwhile criticised Western powers in an editorial.

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Syrian Bishop Warns Intervention Could Spark 'World War'

Four Months After Their Abduction, Fate of Syrian Bishops Unknown | CNS News

The following excerpts are from CNSNews.com:

• Orthodox Christians in Syria’s second city on Thursday will mark four months since their bishops went missing, their fate no clearer now than at any time since they were abducted by armed men and their driver shot dead near the Syria-Turkey border on April 22.
• Greek Orthodox Bishop Boulos Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim, both based in Aleppo, are among at least five Christian leaders kidnapped this year in the Syrian civil war, in which minority Christians have been targeted by anti-Assad Sunni rebels who consider them to be supporters of the regime.

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Four Months After Their Abduction, Fate of Syrian Bishops Unknown | CNS News

Patriarch: sectarian militias could lead to Lebanon’s destruction : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's Catholic World News:

• The Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church is warning that the rise of sectarian militias allied to other nations will destroy Lebanon.
• “The Lebanese built their country on the basis of living together, preserving Lebanon against any loyalty to other nations of the East or the West,” said Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï in reference to Lebanon’s 1943 National Pact, which assigned difference political offices to Christians and Muslims. Sectarian militias, he said, are leading to the “law of the jungle and an increase in crime.”

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Patriarch: sectarian militias could lead to Lebanon’s destruction : News Headlines - Catholic Culture