As Sheep Surrounded By Wolves

hailey685
7 days ago
2 min read

I had planned to update you on our horse Newroz (we believe that her leg is healing, thank you to those who are helping with the vet fees and medications she needs) and our Newroz (Kurdish New Year) celebration, but as always, there are many “suddenlies" in our region which turn out to be pivotal hinges with almost unseen doors being opened.

On April 1st, I connected with an Assyrian Christian friend in Duhok to wish her a Blessed Akitu Eid, the Assyrian New Year 6775. Her reply was sad, referring to an ISIS attack perpetrated by a Syrian refugee on the community as they celebrated their new year, “It is heartbreaking, oftentimes I realise how as a Christian minority group we are protected by God. We live as sheep surrounded by wolves.”

The Assyrian community was holding their annual parade in the city, when they reached the bazaar (THE place for everything, whether shopping or social gatherings, everything happens in the bazaar) the crowd was attacked by a member of ISIS wielding an axe who had been assigned to this attack. This was not an isolated man who went crazy, or was filled with hate. This was a planned terror attack in the very heart of Duhok city. Life has changed. Obviously for the Christian community. And for us all.

I remember sitting with "A" one of the rescuers, a simple bee keeper who devoted his post 2014 life to the rescue of Yezidis from the captivity of the black flag people. Over one of his bitter pistachio coffees he quietly spoke of well over 100 known ISIS-connected people in the city of Duhok, some of whom were still on the payroll. Still waters etc.

The perpetrator injured two who are still in hospital. The Assyrian flag was covered in the blood of Fadi Ibrahim, age 17 from Hamdaniya Qaraqosh. The other injured was Youniya Khoshaba age 75 from Ein Baqre on the Nineveh Plain.

We would like to bless these two families with a financial gift to show them that their blood has been seen and indeed heard, and that there are people who care.

If you are able to give to them, thank you. I would ask that you let us know that your gift is assigned to the hurting Christian community. And let us continue to pray for the protection of this ancient community, and for the well being of this city that has over the years maintained the balance and tolerance so lacking in this region.