Assyrian news

By Albert Aji DAMASCUS – Syria – AP Iran’s foreign minister challenged U.S. and Iraqi officials Thursday to prove their allegations that his country is meddling in Iraqi affairs. Kamal Kharrazi, speaking to reporters during a visit to Syria, which has faced similar charges from Washington and Baghdad, said such …

Cairo – BBC Thirteen Egyptian Coptic Christians detained after clashes with police have been released on humanitarian grounds, the prosecutor-general said. Maher Abdel Wahed told reporters he had extended the detention of 21 others pending further investigations. Policemen were injured when stones were hurled by protesters who had occupied the …

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) yesterday wrote to President George W. Bush expressing its concern about the violent attacks in Iraq targeting religious places of worship, holy sites, and individual members of religious communities. The escalation of religious terror since August is having a particularly devastating effect …

Bigotry and violent Muslim fanatics have forced many Christians to flee the region of Jesus’ birth — but the world has barely noticed, writes Salim Mansur Again this year, in the land between two rivers, the Nile and the Indus, Christians will gather to celebrate the birth of Christ and …

Thursday, 23 december 2004 By Golnaz Esfandiari Christian Armenians and Assyrians have lived for centuries on the territory of what is today Iran. Vigen, one of Iran’s most famous singers, came from the country’s Armenian community. He was loved by all Iranians in spite of the fact his faith was …

Damascus -Fides Service On the occasion of Christmas 2004, Fides asked for a contribution with regard to celebrations in Syria from His Beatitude Gregorios III Laham, Greek Melchite Patriarch of Antioch and the East from Alexandria to Jerusalem. ?The solemn celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is carefully prepared …

Iraq – Mosul Mortar?rounds hit a dining hall at a U.S. military base near Mosul on Tuesday, killing at least 22 people, including?America soldiers, members of the Iraqi national guard, and Iraqi civilians, Pentagon officials said. At least?51 people were injured in the incident — which occurred at noon, the …

BAGHDAD – AFP British Prime Minister Tony Blair, on a surprise visit here, said he hoped all Iraqis would take part in next month’s elections, describing the situation in the country as a “battle between democracy and terror.”“I hope it goes ahead on an inclusive basis,” he said Tuesday at …

Baskets brim with glitter-dusted ornaments. A 4-foot Santa Claus doll towers over the cash register. Rows of decorated trees and red plastic poinsettias line the shop. The only thing missing? Customers. “All the Christians have left the country,” said store manager Saif Sadi, adding that sales this season were down …

WASHINGTON (AFP) President George W. Bush admitted that Iraqi forces were not ready to replace US-led troops and warned that Iraqi elections set for January 30 would not spell the end of deadly violence there.The president, who faced reporters in an hour-long press conference before the winter holidays, also stood …