Iraqi expats euphoric over the historic visit

Emotions ran high as Pope Francis began a historic visit to Iraq, where he is expected to meet one of the world’s oldest Christian communities as well as some top Iraqi clerics.

Iraqi expats in the UAE expressed hope and joy as they looked forward to the first-ever papal visit to a nation ravaged by years of war and conflict.

“It’s time Iraqis stop fighting and showing intolerance based on the different religions and castes and start living as Iraqis rather than Shias, Sunnis and Christians,” said Iraqi national Hanan Khadouri, who moved to the UAE in 1999.

She added: “This visit of the Pope to our home country is a beacon of hope for all Iraqi Christians who had to flee our country due to the persecution and violence. We hope things get better and we can return to our home country in a respected manner and live without fear. My parents, who are still in Iraq, never wanted me to return as it was a hard life for Christians there.”

Another Iraqi national living in the UAE since 1980, Francis Thomasoro, called the pope “a messenger of hope” for all Iraqis around the world. “The world is really in need of peace as there is too much sufferings and Iraq has specially been battered by a lot of violence in the name of religion. So the Pope is serving as a ‘messenger of hope’ for thousands of Iraqi Christians who are compelled to stay away from their home country due to the unrest. We are just praying and hoping, this visit of Pope opens up the hearts of people and finishes the streak of hatred in the name of religious backgrounds,” he said.

Another Christian living in the UAE for over 10 years, is Louay Kamal who said: “We wish our country blessings and peace. Let us once again hope to see our Iraq stabilise and flourish and where people of all backgrounds can live without fear, as brothers and sisters.”

Expressing optimism, Abu Dhabi resident Nadia, also an Iraqi national, said: “I hope this historic visit of the Pope will mark a new beginning for our country and helps things get better, especially for the Chrstian community.”

It’s time Iraqis stop fighting and showing intolerance based on the different religions and castes and start living as Iraqis

hanan Khadouri

Let us hope to see our Iraq stabilise and flourish and where people of all backgrounds can live without fear

louay Kamal

We are just praying and hoping, this visit of Pope opens up the hearts of people and finishes the streak of hatred in the name of religious backgrounds

francis thomasoro