Dear Friends,
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The past few
days have been so difficult. The proposed burning of the Holy Koran by a pastor
in Florida has had a profound effect on us here. Yesterday four guards, part of
the Iraqi army, were shot dead. We do not know the exact reason why but we do
know who we suspect is responsible.
Today we spent this morning with CNN and they say we will be shown from 9pm UK
time tonight. They filmed our choir, Dawood and Lina and myself. Despite things
being so, so difficult we do not lose hope.
Tomorrow we remember the atrocity of 9/11. A day we will never forget and a day
we must always remember. A day we will be remembering in our two US Embassy
Services tomorrow. This day is indeed the reason we are here. I enclose an
excerpt from yesterday's press. Please do remember to pray for us here in Iraq.
Press Release: The Burning of Koran
As I write the Iraqi Army Colonel has just left. He had a clear message.
"There are plans to blow you up because of what the Pastor in Florida has
said about burning the Holy Koran".
There is nothing we can do to protect ourselves. The army is being sent to us
in force to try and protect us, what they can do is also limited. Here we do
not hate the Muslims we love them. They are our colleagues that we work with to
try and reduce violence; they are the majority of the patients at our clinic.
Jesus even said to us "love your enemies" we do have many here but we
try and love them all.
Terry Jones may be upset about what happened on 9/11 so are we. Because of that
day we have suffered, because of that day our people have been killed in their hundreds. Because of this planned action more of our people may be killed. We
hold The Rev'd. Terry Jones responsible for what is and will happen around the Muslim world. We totally and utterly refute these plans. May the Lord have
mercy upon him.
Blessings,
The Rev'd Canon Andrew White
St George's Church
Baghdad |
