Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Agenzia Fides) - The demonstration convened by Chaldean Patriarch Raphael I Louis to protest against the law on the Islamization of minors will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10, in front of the Chaldean Church of Saint George. The demonstration, in addition to counting on the presence of Christians of different denominations, will be attended by political activists of various organizations, representatives of civil society organizations and groups belonging to the religious communities of Yazidis, Mandaeans and Sabeans.
In a statement, released by the official channels of the Chaldean Patriarchate, Patriarch Raphael I Louis reiterates that the law on the Islamization of minors represents a violation for the unity among the different components of the Iraqi people. In the statement, sent to Agenzia Fides, the Primate of the Chaldean Church points out that such a legal provision violates articles of the Iraqi constitution that protects citizens from discrimination, and also contradicts the teachings of the Koran, which says that there can be no pressure in religion. The Patriarch also appeals to Iraqi President Fuad Masum, so that the law is amended in Parliament and the steps that make it discriminatory are corrected. Otherwise - warns the Chaldean Patriarch - an appeal to the courts and international bodies that protect human rights is already ready.
On October 27 Parliament in Iraq rejected the proposal - made by Christian representatives, but supported by parliamentarians belonging to different alliances - to amend the law according to which a child is automatically registered as a Muslim, even if only one parent converts to Islam. The proposal asked to add a sentence in the section of law regarding minors, in order to establish that children remain in the original religion of belonging until they reach eighteen years of age, and then freely choose the religion they want. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 09/11/2015)
