Iraqis condemn attack on Baghdad Church

Baghdad residents comfort one another outside Sayidat al-Nejat church. [Mohammed Ameen / Reuters]

Baghdad residents comfort one another outside Sayidat al-Nejat church. [Mohammed Ameen / Reuters]

  • COMMENT

    214

  • Print this article
  • increase decrease

Scores of Iraqis took to the streets in al-Karada neighbourhood of Baghdad on Monday (November 1st) to condemn the terrorist attack on worshippers at Sayidat al-Nejat Syriac Catholic Church.

"Iraqis, whether Muslims or Christians, Sunnis or Shias, were praying at those hours," said Omar Hardan, 43, a resident of Baghdad. "We were all worshipping and praying to God to deliver Iraq from the grip of terrorism."

Hardan said the extremists "kill in the name of our religion because they are criminals and do not have any way but this, to spill blood," he said. "They are destined to go to hell, and mercy will be for our righteous martyrs."

According to security officials, the attack began at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday (October 31st) when 14 gunmen, including nine wearing explosives vests, tried to storm the building of the Iraqi Stock Exchange in al-Karada.

When security forces rebuffed them, they escaped to Sayidat al-Nejat Church, which is located next to the Stock Exchange building, and fortified themselves inside it.

The gunmen killed a security guard, in addition to Father Thaer Abdul Elah, and Father Waseem Sabeeh, who was giving a sermon to worshippers. The attackers then held the worshippers attending Sunday evening Mass inside the church.

"Two gunmen fired bullets in the air and detonated sound bombs inside the church in the first minutes of the attack," Lt. Col. Abdullah al-Kadhumi of the anti-terrorism unit in Baghdad told Mawtani.

"They also cut off electricity to the church, closed windows and ventilation outlets, and threatened to kill any resistance shown by any of the 147 worshippers, who included 40 women and 19 children under the age of six," al-Kadhumi said.

Iraqi police and army forces surrounded and evacuated the area around the church. Al-Kadhumi said the anti-terrorism unit's elite Golden Platoon tried to storm the church, but retreated after the gunmen threatened to kill all the hostages.

"We were hearing children and women crying and weeping inside the church," al-Kadhumi said.

US forces provided aerial support with video imagery of the church area to track the attackers' movements.

According to al-Kadhumi, the gunmen tried to negotiate with Iraqi forces by demanding the release of terrorist leaders currently detained in Iraqi prisons.

"We told them that Iraq does not negotiate with terrorists, does not accept any conditions from them, and that their only option is to surrender and release all hostages," al-Kadhumi said.

During the negotiations, Iraqi security forces freed 13 hostages after storming a room located near the back alley of the church and helping everyone inside the room escape through a window.

According to Qassim Atta, Baghdad Operations Command spokesman, the terrorists were from different Arab nationalities and "intended to kill all the worshippers inside the church had the security forced not intervened at the right moment."

Iraqi forces ended the hostage situation at 9:00 p.m., when the Golden Platoon unit stormed the church building with Iraqi Special Forces, killing eight terrorists wearing explosives vests and arresting five others.

However, one terrorist managed to detonate his explosives vest inside the hall. The blast killed 51 people, including two priests, women and children, as well as 11 members of the Iraqi security forces. It also wounded 66 people, including 32 members of the security forces.

"This operation has been a real test of the Iraqi security forces' abilities and the extent of their experience in dealing with such difficult situations," said Lt. Col. Khamees Ahmed of the anti-terrorism unit in Baghdad.

"They have passed the test," he said.

Iraqi Minister of Defence Abdul Qadir al-Obeidi supervised the field operation to free the hostages.

"Iraq's policy is not to give in or negotiate the conditions and demands of terrorists," al-Obeidi told mawtani.com. "They must know this well. Any attempt of this sort in the future will completely fail."

Politicians condemned the attack and said it would fail to create discord among Iraqis.

"The attack was intended to sow fitna among Muslims and Christians in Iraq. However, it has certainly failed, because everyone just condemned and renounced it," said Osama al-Nujaifi, leader of Iraqiyoun bloc in the Iraqi parliament.

"The solidarity among Iraqis is stronger than the attempts of terrorism to sow fitna. We will be able to arrest all the terrorists and throw them in prison to ensure that Iraqis' rights are never lost," parliamentarian Hasan al-Saneed said.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE? (TOTAL VOTES: 140)

69 Dislike(s)

ADD A COMMENT (COMMENT POLICY) * DENOTES REQUIRED FIELD

* DENOTES REQUIRED FIELD

  • READER COMMENTS

    يشقش

    2013-2-9

    In the name of God the Most Merciful the ever Merciful. A message from the person who has the word Muhammad written in-between his eyes... To those who shed the blood in the Arab lands Who allowed you to kill the Christians, the Shia, or the Sunnis? Do you have any knowledge in this respect to tell us with? Did God command you to do this? We are closer to the Prophet, peace be upon him, than you are as are from this offspring and God has given us the advantage of writing the word Muhammad in-between the eyes to spread the peace on earth and to stop the bloodshed. Stop, as this is better for you. You do not have the right to kill the pagans as long as they did not attack you. You accuse the people of disbelief everywhere. Who allowed you to speak in the name of Islam? We are more worthy of you because we belong to the offspring of the Prophet, peace be upon him. You do not have right to kill. Why do you allow what God has forbidden?

  • يشقش

    2012-10-22

    Breaking news! Think Arabs, you who sold your religion. Visit the YouTube and write “written between his eyes Muhammad” and scroll down until “Gaber” who comments on the page! You are not the owner of the video, why do you lie? You are an Iraqi and he is a Palestinian?

  • العراقي

    2010-12-2

    O Lord of the Earth and the Heavens, reconcile the hearts of the Iraqis and expel the occupiers... Amen...

  • 2010-12-1

    Many terrorist groups are carrying out operations under the name of Islam. Of course, they definitely have no relation to Islam; it is just an image to cover for them and to make people believe in their criminal operations. They do this in order to satisfy their terrorist leaders, who train them and send them to the Arab, Islamic, and European world.

  • helmy

    2010-12-1

    Dear people, I think that some commenters are insane. What is this nonsense about the martyrs? It is common knowledge that whoever dies as a non-Muslim will go to hell, including the Christians. As for the attack itself, this is a horrible crime, and whoever was behind it, whether it was an Iraqi, an American or someone from any other country, will be punished by God the Exalted, and the Just Lord will never make the oppressed people lose their rights. However, the fact that they were killed or assaulted without being guilty does not make them martyrs. They have chosen the path of hell and they deserve it.

  • يونس مصطفى

    2010-11-30

    Let me tell you that terrorists are nothing but infidels, because they kill innocent people, although they claim to be religious. How can a Muslim kill his Muslim brother? Killing people is totally antithetical to the teachings of Islam in form and substance, because it is a religion of love, devotion and mercy. I think that Al-Qaeda has been able to influence the minds of weak and sick people, and it brainwashed them, using slogans and trivial hearsay, like “the duty to defend one’s country” and “the necessity of freeing it from occupiers” ... All of these are just fabrications and lies, because what they really want is to discredit Islam and Muslims. They will not be able to realize their hopes, God willing and thanks to the zeal of the Muslims. Terrorists terrorize people and instill fear in their hearts in order to find the opportunity to kill, destroy and plant explosive devices in roads. Unfortunately, only innocent people fall victims to their ongoing aggression. They were not only behind explosions and destruction, but they also resorted to sowing dissension and sectarian strife among the Iraqi people, and unfortunately there are some weak people who surrendered to their temptations and quickly believed their claims.

  • google1

    2010-11-30

    The Christians will go to hell; this is the opinion of Abu Said. So, what about the opinion of Umm Said? Any religion that tolerates these acts is devilish, and if this is jihad the way it is described in Islam, then Islam is a terrorist religion.

  • صوري

    2010-11-30

    Terrorism has no religion.

  • سيف القرآن

    2010-11-29

    Islam is innocent of all these crimes, and the Muslim Mujahidin do not fight Judaism or Christianity; rather, they fight Zionism.

  • 2010-11-29

    Praise be to God for whatever comes.

  • ثروت

    2010-11-29

    May God destroy their homes.

  • ابو الانبياء

    2010-11-29

    Those criminals are agents of the international mafia, and they have nothing to do with the Iraqis, the Arabs, or the Muslims in any way. Iraq and all the civilized Islamic countries are strongly required to eliminate their dens and strongholds, because history is not tolerant towards anyone. History will consider them collaborators if they do not take this initiative.

  • غمري

    2010-11-28

    I want to pose a question: is Al-Qaeda so powerful and widespread as to shake the security of many countries? To the best of my knowledge, the leadership of this organization is in Afghanistan. I doubt that this terrorist organization is not real, but it is used as a scapegoat to justify the failure and corruption of the rulers and the Americans. It is really strange to find that all incidents of explosions, threats or oppression against the innocents were committed by an illusory organization called Al-Qaeda. I have doubts about the credibility of the U.S. mass media. In my opinion, the parties that are responsible for these events are the Americans, then Iran and finally the Iraqi government. I consider these parties responsible for the following: 1- The explosions that take place in Iraq and kill the innocents 2- The recent attacks on the church 3- The most important, defaming Islam, i.e. the Sunnis, or as the Americans refer to them, the fundamentalists. There are two main purposes behind all these crimes: 1- They are trying to keep the Americans in Iraq to do what they want, under the pretext of maintaining security. Therefore, we notice that the explosions become fiercer when the time of their scheduled withdrawal approaches. Of course, the suspect is ready and naturally they blame Al-Qaed. 2- Allowing irrational people to rule Iraq. These are some of the purposes that I deducted, but the worst are still unknown.

  • موطن مصري

    2010-11-28

    Do not forget that the Muslims and the Christians have discovered their real enemy, and they will not allow anyone to sow the seeds of dissention among them.God is our provider.

  • المحبة.ف

    2010-11-28

    Dear brothers, I do not deny that the West and Israel have a hand in what is going on, because they fan the fires of continuous enmity between the Christians and the Muslims. However, we should ask ourselves, why do we follow them and implement their orders? Why do we allow them to accuse us of ignorance and foolishness? I do not blame these countries, but I blame those who listen to them and implement their wishes and respond to the calls that feed the enmity between the Muslims and the Christians. Put your hand in mine and let us eliminate the enemies...

  • حيدر العراقي

    2010-11-27

    May God provide you with patience and victory over all the oppressors and the spiteful enemies of Iraq... Be strong and do not allow anyone to interfere among you, seize your properties and oppress you... We, the Muslims, are your brothers …

  • 2010-11-27

    Religion is for God and the homeland is for all people. We seek God’s help against them.

  • نرمين

    2010-11-27

    O God! Protect us from the mean terrorist attempts and save your people. God will punish you, because He is the keeper of rights; the blood of the martyrs is precious and very costly.

  • 00000

    2010-11-26

    All Iraqis, whether Muslims or Christians, are brothers. May God curse the Arabs who cause dissension among the Iraqis. They will never succeed, and our Christian compatriots will never leave Iraq. They are native Iraqis and they are loyal to Iraq more than any other group. May God protect all the Iraqis.

  • 2010-11-26

    I seek God’s help against you, O oppressors and infidels….

  • لاحول ولا قوة الا بالله

    2010-11-25

    All the heavenly religions condemn terrorism, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, commanded us not to kill women, children or elders, even during war. I seek the help of God against whoever thinks of killing the innocents. All the wars that happened throughout Islamic history did not disturb the relationship between the Muslims and the Christians, and they always lived in peace. After all, we are Arabs and we belong to the same country. We belong to God the Almighty and to him we shall return... I swear that what I have said grieved me, and I say to the terrorists that it is prohibited for you to kill the inviolable souls without right. May God provide the families and relatives of the victims with patience… We seek God’s help against those ignorant oppressors…

  • 2010-11-25

    I seek God’s help against those who killed the innocents. You are all martyrs, and God willing, you will be admitted to Paradise. We belong to God the Almighty and to Him we shall return.

  • memo

    2010-11-25

    If this crime had happened in a mosque, we would have never seen all this condemnation and media coverage, because they think that the blood of the Muslims is so cheap. As for those who claim that Christianity does not approve of such things, let them tell me who leads the occupation forces, which organize these acts secretly. Unfortunately, their leaders and fellow Christians killed them!

  • مي مصر

    2010-11-25

    The Christians are the same in all countries and places. They sleep when the occupation dominates the country, and when Muslims defeat the occupation, they start crying for their country and raise the slogans of the one home. If they are honest, why don’t they support the mujahidin in Palestine and Iraq??!!!

  • نلمك خمتب

    2010-11-25

    What is going on is inevitable, because this great religion is very strong… Jesus Christ told us: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Even if we suffer worse things, we will endure, because our strength lies in Christ, and the gospel said: do not repay evil with evil, but overcome evil with good...

  • زهــيـــر

    2010-11-25

    This is not terrorism, but defense of the Muslims’ creed. You have not seen the scandals of the church.

  • 2010-11-25

    This is a terrorist act and it defames the religions. Whoever attacks a church has no religion and the one who does not have a religion has no identity.

  • طارق

    2010-11-25

    In my opinion, Iraq has been destroyed and it will never rise again. Anyway, the Americans are enemies of God and they have profaned the land of Iraq, which ended on the day of Saddam’s execution. The other Arab countries will have their turn, and they will be trodden beneath the feet of the accursed Americans. Currently, some Arab states are profaned by them due to their military bases in the Gulf States. We ask God to protect the other Arab states. If we considered the current problems in Iraq carefully, we would find that the Americans are behind all of them, in order to have a pretext that justifies their present in Iraq. Likewise, the Americans and Israelis are behind the division of Sudan.

  • ابو يزن

    2010-11-25

    O people of Iraq, we, the Palestinians, support you in your sacrifices, whether you win or lose.

  • hassan mohamed

    2010-11-24

    There is none truly worthy of worship but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.

  • عبده وفدى

    2010-11-24

    The time has come for us to classify the Muslim and Christian clergy according to their understanding of religion, to outlast the extremists and to prevent them from getting in touch with the people in any way, whether through TV, radio, newspapers, books, etc. Misunderstanding of religion and misinterpretation of religious texts harms the religion and affects people’s understanding and behavior. It is time for the regimes, which are busy with the chairs and thrones, to save everything that they can save. Hence, only one authority should speak on religion, because this would allow us to recognize it if it deviated. This authority should be formed from a supreme committee comprising elected moderate clergy. Killing the innocents proves nothing in any heavenly religion. The Islamic groups and sects have multiplied and society has become perplexed, because they do not know who is responsible for determining what is right and what is wrong, or what is valid and what is invalid. Some sheikhs only adopt the opinions of our righteous predecessors. They have appointed themselves as scholars, while they merely acquire knowledge and memorize things without adding any new thoughts. They have learned from sheikhs like themselves, who were not pious enough to receive the knowledge directly from their Lord. God the Almighty said: And fear God. And God teaches you. -Quran 2:282. The understanding of the meanings of the Quran should adapt to each age and its circumstances. That is because if we were satisfied with the understanding of the righteous predecessors, we would harm and affect the Quran itself, because some people would claim that it is no longer suitable for our time. We have to use our minds and our hearts to interpret the Quran according the circumstances of our time. The early scholars used to issue different fatwas on the same issue when they moved from one country to another, to take into consideration the circumstances of each country and its people. We have allowed whoever memorizes the Book of God to interpret it as he wishes, but God says that the complete meaning of the Quran is known only to Him. Hence, no one can interpret the Quran without the support of God the Almighty, who alone bestows knowledge upon the sincere and devoted servants, who strived against their own souls and devoted themselves to God the Almighty. It is time to realize that knowledge is contingent upon piety, but some sheikh reversed this statement and said that piety is contingent upon knowledge. Of course, this is a gross mistake, because the first is correct, as revealed by the aforementioned Quranic verses. In addition, ‘Umar, may God be pleased with him, said to his son ‘Abdullah, “Consult the truly pious people, who fear their Lord the most.” Obviously, he did not ask him to consult the most knowledgeable people first.

  • عماد ابو شمة

    2010-11-24

    Following the massacre of the Sayidat al-Najat church in Baghdad, the Muslims took honorable stances. They supported their Christian compatriots in order to show the reality of things, and to overcome the terrorists and end their dreams of inciting a civil or sectarian war in Iraq, may God forbid. This solidarity and the support of all Iraqis for their Christian compatriots is a living testimony of the unity of this people, and of the fact that what affects the Muslims affects the Christians and vice versa. We are the children of Iraq, and we are attached to each other with a strong bond. Hence, those villains will never succeed in dividing us.

  • مريم علي

    2010-11-24

    The crime that happened in the church grieved not only the Christians, but it also grieved the Muslims, because the victims were innocent, regardless of their labels and differences. After all, they were innocent Iraqi citizens, including men, women, children and youth. In addition, such a crime poses a threat to the stability of the situation in Iraq. This is a mean and malicious attempt to defame Islam and to sow the seeds of dissension in any way possible. As Iraqis and as a people who have been always united since ancient times on this earth, we are responsible for consoling our Christian compatriots and to support them in their disaster. In this way, we will refute all the dubious thoughts and malicious impressions about Islam, through which the terrorists try to defame Islam. Therefore, our Christian brothers received great support from the Muslims and the Muslim clergy, as well as all the Iraqis, who condemned the barbarian attack of the terrorists in Al-Qaeda.

  • hany

    2010-11-23

    Certainly, those people are not humans nor are they animals because that means they would have mercy in their hearts. May God take revenge upon them.

  • 2010-11-23

    May God curse the polytheists and all those who have a hand in this crime.

  • 2010-11-23

    No Muslim has the right to kill a Christian in any way, unless he is actually fighting the Muslims. Hence, what happened has nothing to do with Islam or Muslims.

  • محمود نصر مصرى

    2010-11-23

    Terrorism has no religion, because Islam and God are too sublime to promote this, and our God is over everything competent…. The Iraqis are strong, and they have withstood worse things… May God reward you in the best way and ease the difficulty of all the Muslims…

  • الله محبه هو الغفور الرحيم

    2010-11-23

    In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the ever Merciful. The fanatics and advocates of sectarianism must realize that terrorism and terrorizing the peaceful people do not have a religion, and the terrorists will face disgrace in this world and in the hereafter, because they appoint themselves as guardians over the people, on behalf of God and under the pretext of jihad. God is love, and he is the merciful and the forgiving... do the terrorists know that when they kill a single innocent soul, that they have killed all people on earth? We ask God to curse you and we will curse you too, as our prophet ordered us to do. God said that your deserved punishment is to be crucified, killed or expelled… You have no religion, and neither Islam nor Christianity has anything to do with you… you are the enemies of God, and this also applies to the leaders of terrorism in all religions, and sectarian fanatics. We seek God’s help against all the soldiers of the devil, and I call on the ignorant people, who are fanatics without valid reasons, to stop falsely accusing the other faiths and their followers, because this hurts them, and it feeds extremism and fanaticism without a valid reason. Dear Muslim and Christian brothers... I ask God to have mercy upon the martyrs, who were chosen by God to be with him… May God have mercy upon all our dead and martyrs… There is no power except with God the Almighty… Sameh Shaker Muslim… Student of Muhammad, the Messenger of God...

  • 2010-11-23

    O God, help us in the face of oppression and the oppressors. O God, help us and be our ally, as you are allied with the pious servants. O God! Have mercy upon us on the Day of Judgment. Your brother, Muhammad al-Kafrawi.

  • محمود على مرسى

    2010-11-23

    First, I totally reject what happened, because this is a cowardly act without any doubt. Second, we never heard of such acts during the time of Saddam, because they started only after the U.S. invasion. So, I want to ask: Did such operations exist at the time of Saddam, and were they deliberately ignored by the Arab mass media? I do not think so. Consequently, it is certain that all the barbaric terrorist operations are U.S.-Zionist products, as proved by the U.S. and Zionist refusal to hold a conference to agree on a definition of terrorism, even though President Mubarak has invited them to do so many times. This provides the greatest evidence that the USA and the Zionists benefit from the current situation. Based on this, I believe that terrorism worldwide will not stop without getting rid its causes, by liberating the occupied peoples and allowing them to decide their own destiny, without any foreign interference. We have never seen the wolves guarding the birds...

  • samir

    2010-11-23

    Unfortunately, the Christian brothers are required to love al-Qaeda, in response to the teachings of their holy book, which says, “Love your enemies...” Thanks to God for the blessings of Islam and reason, but I want to know how is the operation of liberating the hostages considered successful in the opinion of the U.S. servants i.e. the rulers of Iraq, in light of this large number of victims?

  • ابو سعيد2010

    2010-11-22

    This is my second comment on this article, but it was not published. I wonder why? Do you not like my comment? For me, it is common knowledge that whoever dies as a non-Muslim will be doomed to hell forever, let alone those who died while in a church worshiping someone other than God the Almighty, as well as those who ask mercy for them!!!

  • لبنى قاسم

    2010-11-22

    First, we ask for mercy for the martyrs of Iraq, who fell in the bloody events in the Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad a few days ago. We ask their God to admit them to his paradise, and to disgrace the terrorists and those who support them until the Day of Judgment. As for the amazing and delightful stance of the Muslim and Christian clergy, this is not strange to the people of Mesopotamia. This is not strange, because the people of Iraq have eaten and drunk together from the Euphrates and Tigris. The crises will never divide us, and we have disappointed the terrorists and those who gave them orders to commit this horrible crime. They have killed our Christian brothers, but they could not kill Iraq or the unity between the Muslims and the Christians. May God have mercy upon the Muslim heroes of the security forces, who were killed in the operation of liberating the hostages, but they felt protective jealousy for their Iraqi brothers and did not delay in saving the hostages. The difference in religion will never form a barrier between Iraqis, and terrorism failed in its malicious efforts to divide the Iraqis, saying to the whole world that the Iraqi Christians are being terrorized and killed by the Muslims. However, God the Almighty disgraced the criminals, and the Christians as well as the Muslims showed great courage and overlooked their wounds to strengthen their unity in a way that astonished the friends before the enemies. Iraq will remain united with all its religions, sects, and ethnicities. Iraq will be secure, by the permission of God the Almighty, and free from terrorism as soon as possible. The criminal acts that target the houses of worship, such as the churches and mosques, prove that Al-Qaeda has been defeated, and that its miserable efforts to affect the unity of Iraq and the Iraqis will be futile. Terrorism will be under the feet of all Iraqis. To Paradise, O martyrs of Iraq. You were killed without being guilty of anything, at the hands of the terrorist gang of Osama bin Laden. The day will come when we will hang Osama bin Laden at the entrance of the Lady of Salvation Church to quench our thirst for revenge against terrorism and its crimes that have affected all .....

  • عمر داود

    2010-11-22

    All Iraqis wept over what happened in the church, although we lose tens of Iraqi Muslims every day. In addition, our mosques are also assaulted by Al-Qaeda, but the attack in the church was a dangerous precedent and a horrible crime against our Christian compatriots in Iraq, who were always good and kindhearted and never harmed even an insect. So, I wonder why those criminals committed this crime against those peaceful and good people. What will they say to their Lord on the Day of Judgment? We ask mercy for them and demand that the government be strict with all the negligent members of the security forces in this area. It needs to conduct intensive investigations to determine the circumstances of the incident, and we demand that the government renovate the church immediately, in addition to compensating the families of the casualties. The government is also required to activate the role of the intelligence agencies, to reach the networks of terrorism and crime in Iraq.

  • mena

    2010-11-22

    Only God sees what is happening to us, and he will save us from that country…

  • السيد منصور

    2010-11-22

    Terrorism has no religion, and the whole world has to confront it. God alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs!

  • ارهابي

    2010-11-21

    May God support terrorism; if terrorism were a man, I would kiss him between the eyes.

  • ابن البلد

    2010-11-21

    I have understood that Al-Qaeda is the right hand of Mossad and the forces of deviance and destruction in Iran, as well as the unmanly politicians who know and overlook the crimes of those two criminal parties and their third American party, which attacks all components of the Iraqi society, as part of a larger plan to empty the state and displace its people, to pave the way before the Jewish families to come and settle in Karada after buying many houses here. The same thing happens in Mosul. However, what can we do? The lion of the country, who exposed their reality, is gone… and as the saying goes, “When the cat's away, the mice will play...” Chalabi is one of the mice and a foreign agent…. Today, Iraqi is locked between two huge relentless jaws that have no mercy on anyone, in collaboration with the local agents. Those two jaws are the Safawi Iran and the Zionist Israel… they wreak havoc everywhere, and they are trying to seize this historic chance… they bite and kill those innocents every day and conspire every night… the explosions are getting fiercer, because what they consider good news is the news announcing the shedding of more Iraqi blood… these crimes target all, including the ordinary people who leave their houses every morning to make a living honorably; and students, and families going shopping… May God disgrace and destroy you… as for Al-Qaeda, you know everything… you are the devils’ brothers... and the accursed Satan is your only leader… many devils these days have beards and turbans with devils residing beneath them… your turbans will never be like the honorable turban of our great Prophet, peace be upon him… those who commit suicide attacks and kill people will go to directly to hell… the prophet Noah, may God exalt his mention, kept inviting his people to believe for 950 years, and only a few of them followed him… however, he did not wear explosive belts or send suicide bombers to force people to believe in him. The members of Al-Qaeda are ignorant, satanic devils and addicts… try to find out who is controlling you from behind the scenes… you will find none but the accursed devil and his barbarian aides… However, God is the Generous One, and no one will escape His punishment… the darker it gets, the sooner the dawn will break…

  • المصريه

    2010-11-21

    Those who committed this crime have nothing to do with Islam… they are extremists, while Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace…. You have a religion and I have mine. Killing women and children has no reward but hell… I seek God’s help against you...

  • نام

    2010-11-21

    I seek God’s help against them…

  • 2010-11-21

    The success of this operation, as seen by the Minister of Defense, looks like the success in the Mother of all Battles, and the success of the Al-Mahdi Army and the Sahwa forces, which used to kill people based on their identities…

  • اخميم

    2010-11-20

    All things can be endured for the sake of Christ… do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.… Jesus consoles the families of the victims… I am from Akhmim, the home of the martyrs… Those who are martyred for the sake of Christ will have the best place in heaven…

  • 2010-11-20

    Do not say, “I am a Christian” because you are first of all a human being that was created by one God. May God curse terrorism, which came from the West. We refer to each other as Egyptians, Iraqis and Palestinians, and we forget that we are all Arab brothers. We most love each other and unite in the face of evil and the Zionist enemy. May God curse them all.

  • عيسى

    2010-11-20

    To those who do not know the mujahidin, I would like to tell them that they carried out this operation in response to the crimes committed by the Christians in Egypt; tit for tat. With regard to those who say that they are Ahl al-Dhimma, I would like to ask them who gave them permission to live in a Muslim state. Is Mubarak now considered a commander of the believers?!

  • مسيحي وافتخر

    2010-11-20

    To those who accuse the Christians of disbelief, martyrdom in Christianity is a sublime wish, and we want to win it for the sake of Jesus Christ and without harming anyone. Christianity is "the Way, the Truth and the Life". You will know the truth on the day of resurrection, especially since you know that Jesus is the one to resurrect the dead and judge the world. No one other than God can judge the world. The wreath of martyrdom to you, dearly beloved. Congratulations.

  • شمس

    2010-11-20

    Those people have no religion and they want to defame Islam. I ask God to take revenge upon them and have mercy upon the martyrs of the church. This is a shame, these are the lives of innocent people. You must search for the real enemy.

  • حرام عليكم

    2010-11-20

    This is prohibited and unfair, you should have been merciful. What are the children, women and priests who died guilty of?! They have gone to a better place.

  • 2010-11-19

    The terrorists have not left any place in Iraq without targeting it.

  • مزاحم غفور

    2010-11-19

    What al-Qaeda has carried out in the Arab and Islamic countries, in terms of bombings, kidnappings, killings and terror against innocent people, is cowardly. Those elements of terrorism that have a known history of drinking alcohol, theft and rape, now want to appear to people as if they are religious and want people to follow them, because they apply Islamic teachings. Which religion are they talking about? I have not heard or read in the Islamic law books or in the Holy Quran that God and His Messenger, peace be upon him, commanded people to kill or blow themselves up, or to kill Muslims. On the contrary, what we read urges us toward peace and faith in the one God, not to commit suicide and not to kill Muslims in any case. God has cursed those who ignite conflicts among Muslims; and the one who has inflamed strife among Muslims is al-Qaeda. It has killed women and raped them. Al-Qaeda has bombed innocent people and killed and kidnapped the innocents. Cursed is every hateful terrorist, and may God curse them and bring them into hell, God willing, for their acts of murder and destruction against the safe citizens, whether in Iraq or in any other country.

  • صالح الخشاب

    2010-11-19

    The despicable terrorist event that took place, which was aimed against all Iraqis, not only Christians, is the worst deed ever by al-Qaeda. What happened in the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance was a cowardly terrorist act, aimed at sowing discord and division between the religions, yet it only increased national cohesion between the people of Iraq, whether Muslims or Christians, and everyone came out in peaceful demonstrations to condemn this cowardly act of terrorism carried out by elements of al-Qaeda, who do not have any mercy or respect for the houses of God. The cohesion that exists between Muslims and Christians is not a result of this explosion or that terrorist operation; but this kind of cohesion and brotherhood has existed since ancient times, especially among the clergy, who appeared in the demonstrations together to condemn this terrorist attack on the Church of Our Lady of Deliverance. We all saw the number of victims who died as a result of this cowardly act of terrorism. Therefore, I believe that what happened has increased the unity of the Iraqis and increased the determination to fight terrorism and al-Qaeda in Iraq. The Iraqi security forces should provide more security and greater protection to religious sites of all communities in Iraq, so that terrorism will not take advantage of these holy places, such as churches and mosques, because terrorism now wants to strike at the heart in order to inflame the sectarian strife between the religions in Iraq. But it cannot do this, because the Iraqis have been living together in love and brotherhood for a long time, and terrorism will not be able to sow division between Muslims .

  • 2010-11-19

    May God take revenge on the terrorists, because they kill civilians.

  • حميد جامع

    2010-11-19

    Al Qaeda is a curse that fell on the ground and plagued people with its ideologies and beliefs. They believe in backward principles and criminal ideologies. They only care about murder and they have hearts of stone. They have been turned into monsters that are trained to kill like robots, without making any distinction between young and old or between women and men. They take souls without mercy, and they eliminate all who stand in their face or reject their ideology. We call on God to save us from these unjust criminals. May God curse them in this life and in the Hereafter. Al-Qaeda is a criminal organization that has spread through all Arab countries and even some European ones, for the sake of bombing and killing. This has tarnished the image of Islam that calls for mercy, tolerance and love, and doesn't call for segregation on the basis of religion and sectarianism. On the contrary, Islam is a tolerant and peaceful religion, and for that reason Al-Qaeda used it as a cover, in order to spread their backward and terrorist ideologies, because they terrorized Muslims and non-Muslims belonging to different sects. Of late, we have witnessed confrontations between the Iraqi forces and Al-Qaeda, when they kidnapped our Christian brothers inside the church and when they carried out the cruel massacre.

  • حيدر عباس امين

    2010-11-19

    O God! Have mercy upon the martyrs of Iraq and curse all those who want to harm Iraq.

  • 2010-11-19

    These are the acts of the Iraqi government, which is loyal to Iran and the USA. Everything that is said by Qasim Ata, the liar of Baghdad, and the Minister of Defense, who is unjustifiably optimistic about the abilities of the Iraqi forces, who are busy with bribes and brothels, is untrue… I am an Iraqi citizen from the heart of Baghdad… dear brothers, imagine a soldier who was transferred from his unit to another military unit, and then he tries to transfer his salary to his new workplace, but they refuse to approve this request unless he personally pays $200, or unless the accounting officer of the new unit pays it on behalf of the moved soldier. In other words, they do not even respect the accounting officer, who holds a high rank. As another example, a major from the former army was reinstated as a lieutenant, through a deliberate mistake. Have you ever heard about such a mistake, in any army, in any place in the world? They now want him to pay $500 to correct their mistake; otherwise they will leave him as he is. This is the Ministry of Defense and the Iraqi forces that they are telling you about, while Qasim Ata sleeps with the DJ music on. The Iraqi government is worse than the Iranian Al-Qaeda, which is falsely attributed to the Sunnis. There is no power except with God the Almighty…

  • منير ريالي

    2010-11-19

    May God curse those who kill the Iraqis, regardless of their sect or religion. May God have mercy upon the martyrs of Iraq, and death to the cowardly terrorists.

  • حافظ

    2010-11-19

    Why do you exclude the possibility of this crime being carried out by the Americans and their supporters in the Iraqi pagan guard; sorry, I mean the National Guard, to incite the Muslims against the Christians to worsen the tensions between the Sunnis, the Shia and the Kurds? It is most likely that they committed this crime to create an excuse to remain in Iraq along with their agents forever, because al-Qaeda is known for fighting the Americans and their supporters rather than the Iraqis.

  • 2010-11-19

    God is our provider.

  • نور الصبح

    2010-11-19

    O God! You are capable of protecting your people from the offensive oppressors. O God! Curse them, destroy their homes, displace their children, and destroy them completely.

  • ayman @man

    2010-11-19

    God will reward you. Heaven is happy with its martyrs.

  • نديم العلواني

    2010-11-18

    All religions preach love and peace, and they came to serve humanity and provide security and safety, not to justify the murder and displacement of people. I am certain that if they had come to justify the horrendous teachings of terrorism, they would have disappeared ages ago. All divine books, including the Bible and the Quran, call for love and peace; they were sent to people to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood between them, not to spread the spirit of discrimination and murder and to allow for the horrible ongoing operations carried out today by terrorists. Therefore, when terrorists wanted to sow dissension between Muslims and Christians in Iraq, they realized nothing but disappointment and shame. Religious scholars from both religions worked on calming the people down, and cleared both parties of the charges they were accused of. This clearly strengthened the love and brotherhood between the two parties. Iraqi Muslims and Christians have always lived together, for better or for worse, regardless of their religions; and this is what is stipulated in the teachings of the Divine Books. No matter what the terrorists do, they will change nothing in the brotherhood between Muslim and Christian Iraqis. What happened in the Salvation, or Al-Najat, Church is a calamity for all Iraqis, and not only for Christians. Thank God that the Iraqi people are conscious, educated and well aware that these deviant groups only represent themselves, and that Islam would never permit such criminal acts.

  • some one

    2010-11-18

    Dear Iraqis, you should work harder to report to the Security Forces any suspicious activity of any armed group. I hope also that the Security Forces will do their utmost to combat the remaining members of this filthy person’s group, and may God support the Iraqis.

  • 2010-11-18

    This is unfair; have to have mercy upon the Christians. I seek God’s help against you.

  • الحر

    2010-11-18

    This is a cowardly act, and it is supported by the Jews to incite sectarian strife in Iraq. However, the Iraqi people are stupid and do not realize the malicious intentions of the west. In other words, this cowardly people will remain in this swamp forever. May God protect Saddam of the Arabs.

  • ابو نسمه

    2010-11-18

    May God curse all those who had a hand in this horrible crime. I seek God’s help against them.

  • 2010-11-18

    Peace be upon you…. Our religion is the religion of peace; its name and greeting imply peace. Islam has nothing to do with what happened… Terrorism has no religion or home…

  • ابو سعيد2010

    2010-11-18

    Some Muslim commentators describe the victims as martyrs of the church. To the best of my knowledge, the non-Muslims will not enter Paradise, because they are infidels and will be doomed to hell forever.

  • 2010-11-18

    We belong to God the Almighty and to Him we shall return.

  • ashraf

    2010-11-18

    I hope to see you get what you deserve one day!

  • د.حازم حامد رشيد

    2010-11-18

    The government should live up to its responsibility, and it must protect the Iraqis! It must also realize the evil plans and intentions of some regional countries that do not want Iraq to recover. Beware, and we seek God’s help against them. We ask God to have mercy upon our Muslim and Christian martyrs and those of any other religion, without any distinction. I swear I find that there is no difference between the Muslims and the Christians; quite the contrary, my best friends are Christians. I am Muslim, by the way.

  • 2010-11-17

    Islam has nothing to do with those criminals. I seek God’s help against them.

  • محمد

    2010-11-17

    May God curse the infidels and the oppressors…. O God, help us restore the Al-Aqsa Mosque….

  • بشار

    2010-11-17

    May God protect the Christians in Iraq and all over the world. I ask God to protect the Iraqis of all religions. May God have mercy upon the martyrs, provide their families with patience, and heal the wounded.

  • ولاد ابو اسماعيل

    2010-11-17

    I seek God’s help against them.

  • 2010-11-17

    We seek God’s help against those who harm our people. We have nothing to do with those barbarian criminals.

  • باسم مصري

    2010-11-17

    What are the innocent children guilty of, that they suffer at the hands of the terrorists? However, God is with us and he will help us to defeat the Muslim terrorists. God is with us, and the martyrs have gained heaven. Islam has no religion…

  • اياد

    2010-11-17

    O God, have mercy upon the martyrs of Iraq, and shame on the dirty and terrorist infidel organization of Al-Qaeda. We congratulate the heroes of the Gold Team and the Special Forces, and the anti-terrorism task force. O God, give victory to them over terrorism and over the enemies of Islam.

  • 2010-11-16

    Now, after the end of everything, they have arrested five terrorists…. haven’t they told you about the people with beards… where are the results of the investigation? Why do you conceal them? Were the government forces involved in this filthy crime, or was it the American killers? What is the truth? Please, announce it, in order to exonerate yourselves and to save the helpless Christians in Iraq, at least. Your messenger told you not to fight those who do not attack you. The oriental Christians have not attacked or fought you…. You did that because your faith is weak….

  • 2010-11-16

    If I ever lay hands on any of them personally and not give him the punishment he deserves, I would not be Haidar al-Amri.

  • ن

    2010-11-16

    May God be with you.

  • 2010-11-16

    The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “I was sent the conquering sword ahead of the hour.” He also said, “I have been commanded by God to fight the people until they testify that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, and until they establish regular prayer and pay the Zakaah; and if they do that, then they will save their lives and property from me, except for the Islamic laws, and then they will be judged by God." When our Muslim sisters were sent to the prisons of the crusaders, tyrants and worshipers of the cows to be raped and tortured, you say that this does not contradict the teachings of Islam and you do nothing because those are our Christian “brothers”; what brothers?!! I really do not know who those brothers are. What brothers? Muslims are brothers in faith and monotheism, and the bond of the testimony of faith: there is none truly worthy of worship but God and Muhammad is his slave and messenger. There is no relationship between us and them. Tolerating these assaults means that we admit that they are right and that God is the Trinity, and that worshiping idols is OK under the pretext of the freedom of religion and the approximation between the heavenly and human religions, because we have many common traits!!! Where are these traits or interests? The foundation of your religion is invalid and we will never rest until we prevent sectarian strife and make religion for God the Almighty, whether you accepted or preferred humiliation. Our relationship with the enemies of Islam and Muslims and those who fight the Muslims and the Prophet, peace be upon him, will be based only on the Quran for guidance, and the sword for achieving victory. O enemies of Islam, we were humiliated people before Islam, and if we seek our grandeur in any other thing, then God the Almighty will humiliate us… If your freedom is limitless, then please endure our limitless freedom too…. Our reaction will be practical, not verbal, O worshippers of the cross … When you ban the hijab in France, you claim that this is freedom and democracy! And when you blaspheme the Prophet, peace be upon him, you claim that this is freedom of expression!! If you believe that you have the right to prevent the chaste women from wearing the hijab, then we have the right to expel your invading troops by force. The equation is simple and clear. You will be killed and captured as long as you keep killing and kidnapping others. You will never enjoy security as long as you do not respect our safety and security. However, you deserve this because you initiated the aggression… There is no way to protect your safety without stopping all forms of hegemony and interference in our affairs, and without fixing what you have damaged. The days to come will show you what we can do, O worshippers of the cross!

  • عجائب

    2010-11-16

    There were 147 worshippers, among them 40 women, and 19 children under the age of six. However, one terrorist managed to detonate his explosives vest inside the hall. The blast killed 51 people, including two priests, women and children, as well as 11 members of the Iraqi security forces. It also wounded 66 people, including 32 members of the security forces. "This operation has been a real test of the Iraqi security forces' abilities and the extent of their experience in dealing with such difficult situations," said Lt. Col. Khamees Ahmed of the anti-terrorism unit in Baghdad. "They have passed the test," he said. If this is success, then what is failure?

  • حمدى

    2010-11-16

    I swear this crime was committed by the Americans to cause civil war in Iraq, exploiting the foolish and ignorant terrorists. We ask God to forgive us, and the new conquest will inevitably come…

  • 2010-11-16

    Dear brothers, the problem is mainly in promoting terrorism and encouraging it… This is the real problem, in my opinion…

  • المهاجر

    2010-11-16

    This is prohibited and it is not fit for Islam and Muslims… Both Muslims and Christians have one creator, i.e. God, and it is He, not we, who will judge them…

  • عربي اصيل

    2010-11-15

    May God curse al-Maliki, the cowardly dog of the USA.

  • رافت صلاح

    2010-11-15

    The targeting of Christians in Iraq is a part of a major conspiracy against Iraqis as a whole, with all their religions. Thus, I hope that commentators do not accuse Muslims of terrorism, because the latter has no religion.

  • محمود عبداله محمود

    2010-11-15

    Muslims and Christians are brothers, and the terrorists’ attempts to ignite a civil war will not separate us.

  • 2010-11-15

    Islam has nothing to do with these acts; I am sure that the Zionists have a hand in this crime…

  • gaber

    2010-11-15

    Hi…. My picture shows that the Arabic word “محمد ” is written between my eyes… just go to YouTube write the word and search for a rare miracle and read the comment of the owner of the picture regarding attacking the masjids and churches. It is a simple website, and very few people in the world have seen this miraculous word. Please, write comments on my page against the incitement and killers… Support the man who appears in this picture through the free words...

  • سيف

    2010-11-15

    I am Saif from the Gold Team, and I thank God for ending the incursion into the church. Thanks to God. Your brother Saif, a member of the anti-terrorism unit…

  • 2010-11-15

    Everything they say about the heroic acts of the government is a lie. I know one of the hostages, and he told me that had it not been for the intervention of the U.S. forces, no one would have survived. Quite the contrary, the government is responsible for this attack, and it only ordered the security checkpoint near the church to start searching people following the attack after it was too late. However, I do not know where these checkpoints were in the past!

  • الله يسامحكم

    2010-11-15

    O God! Mention them in your kingdom.

  • 28984

    2010-11-15

    The people who are mainly responsible for this situation are Dr. Salim Al-Awa, Dr. Muhammad Imarah, Dr. Zaghlol Al-Najjar, and the sheikhs of the Islamic satellite channels. They made the Muslims believe that the two wives of the two priests had embraced Islam, and this is untrue. That is because if they had embraced Islam, the security forces would have never left them in the church, and they would have released them, even by force. As for the cause of their disappearance, they prefer not to appear publicly in fear for their lives, because if they did appear, thousands of sheikhs would issue fatwas allowing them to be killed, and calling for the apostasy law to be applied to them unjustly. They also deceived the Muslims and made them believe that the churches are full of arms and weapons, and that the Christians were training to fight the Muslims; however, this contradicts the reality of Christianity, which calls for peace, not war. The martyr is not the one who blows himself up among people to kill them or the one who blows up people remotely, but the one who sacrifices himself for the sake of others and religion without harming others. So, let all the children of Adam and Eve get rid of hatred, violence and terrorism, and embrace love and peace. We ask the Prince of Peace (i.e. Jesus) to spread love and good among all people. We wish that no man would harm his fellow man and we wish to construct the earth… We ask God with hearts that are free from hatred and grudges to guide us to his path and to answer our supplication…. A Coptic person who wants peace for all people…

  • magdy

    2010-11-15

    Islam condemns these criminal acts, and I believe that this is deliberate and it aims at accusing the Muslims and Islam of being responsible for these cowardly acts. In this way, they will cause conflict between Muslims and Christians, distracting public opinion from the occupation and its horrible crimes…. They also have demolished many mosques over the Muslims while they were performing prayers…. So, be vigilant…

  • 2010-11-15

    Jesus Christ said: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

  • MUSTAFA

    2010-11-15

    Do not kill unjustly. You have your religion and I have mine. Terrorism has no religion.

  • 2010-11-15

    Who said that the Christians are persecuted or are deprived of their rights…. Those who repeat such things are the real cause behind the sectarian strife… Of course, the terrorists do not do this to make people leave their religions, because this is a superficial explanation. In fact, the real goal is to terrorize all people, whether Muslims or Christians...

  • العراق المحتلة

    2010-11-15

    O stupid and naïve Iraqi people! You are occupied by another country and you have no right to express your opinions regarding anything before you liberate yourselves, you useless people!

  • 2010-11-14

    God sees and hears.

  • 2222

    2010-11-14

    O father… forgive them…

  • 1111

    2010-11-14

    God is with us….

  • 1111

    2010-11-14

    The Lord is my light and my salvation; who shall I fear is he is with me?

  • zezo

    2010-11-14

    O God… enlighten their hearts and minds…. Remove fanaticism, violence, and hatred from their hearts... O God, have mercy upon us…

  • مصريا

    2010-11-14

    May God take all Muslims in Egypt…

  • 2010-11-14

    The Prophet, Peace be upon Him, said, “Harming a non-Muslim citizen is akin to harming me.” May God curse the killers….

  • 2010-11-14

    No comment.

  • 2010-11-14

    God does not accept these acts and he will take revenge upon you in the proper time… The end of the world has come near...

  • مصرى

    2010-11-14

    O my God! When will this end?

  • 2010-11-14

    The time will come when people will kill you, believing that this is a service to God… However, God knows everything and he will never let these crimes go unpunished… The Pope said that God is always there…

  • أحمد

    2010-11-13

    Dear brothers…. Terrorism has no specific religion or nationality. However, it is an epidemic or a malicious disease that we have to fight and eliminate…. Otherwise, this phenomenon will sweep the world like a virus that spreads from the body of a sick person to the body of a healthy one to achieve its mean purposes, including fame and extortion of money.

  • ياسر

    2010-11-13

    This is ignorance of religion…

  • 2010-11-13

    May God have mercy upon martyrs of the church, and disgrace the cowardly terrorists.

  • محمود

    2010-11-13

    Terrorism knows nothing but bloodshed. Terrorism has no identity.

  • عصام

    2010-11-13

    I believe that any crime against any Christian person is a merit and a source of pride, because he will live forever with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ…. We thank terrorism for giving us the opportunity for martyrdom in the name of Christ our Lord and the owner of the world… As for the Iraqi government, we also thank you for your heroic acts at the expense of the Christian hostages, which resulted in the deaths of 51 people and injuries to 31 Christians out of 147 hostages…. The percentage of success in this operation was no more than 40%... Anyway, we thank it for its love for us, and we pray that God will open people’s eyes regarding terrorism…. Finally, I want to say: If God is with us, who can be against us?

  • sameh .ahmed

    2010-11-13

    I seek God’s help against them.

  • 2010-11-13

    I swear the scene that I saw in the church was one of the most violent terrorist operations that I have ever seen… I wish we had been warned about the criminals who committed this crime before they managed to enter the church…. I am a member of the anti-terrorism unit and I participated in breaking into the church to release the hostages, along with our heroic brothers… we were ready to sacrifice our souls to save our Christian compatriots… I ask God to have mercy upon all martyrs of Iraq and admit them to Paradise through all of its gates… God the Exalted says: And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of God as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision. -Quran 3:169 I wish I knew whether the wounded pregnant woman that I saved is OK or not; I swear, whenever I close my eyes, I see her in my dreams, and I want to know whether she is still alive or not…. Anyway, I wish her a speedy recovery, and may God curse whoever kills innocents… God has nothing to do with those criminals…

  • 2010-11-13

    We seek God’s help against those oppressors who attacked the innocents. May God protect Egypt from traitors.

  • 2010-11-13

    We seek God’s help against them. Islam has nothing to do with the crime or the criminals. ahmed_wael69

  • MICHELLE

    2010-11-13

    Dear readers, some people raise doubts about this article, and there are few people who support these crimes that contradict the teachings of all the heavenly religions… However, there is something that will please you. I firmly believe that all, not some, Muslims and Christians oppose this criminal act and similar crimes that use Islam as a cover. No one will ever succeed in dividing the Egyptians or sowing the seeds of dissension between the Muslims and Christians…. We are all Egyptian citizens. The gospel says, “Blessed are my people of Egypt,” and the Noble Quran says that Egypt is the secure land… The Prophet, peace be upon him, also said that the soldiers of Egypt are the best on earth… Hence, is there anyone who can oppose or cancel the words of God or the teachings of his religion that were revealed to the people through Judaism, Christianity, or Islam…? Whoever says so means that he accuses God of weakness and so he will defend God, may God forbid… Forgive me for what I just said.

  • ةثىس

    2010-11-13

    May God be with you.

  • امجد

    2010-11-12

    The acts of sabotage that were carried out by some extremists against churches aim at shaking security and stability in the country.

  • منال خليل

    2010-11-12

    Religious sectarianism is a very serious problem for communities that have sectarian diversity. In fact, whoever wants to sabotage any society can play the card of sectarianism.

  • هشام

    2010-11-12

    Certainly, these terrorists represent only themselves.

  • سمير المصرى

    2010-11-12

    It is unacceptable to consider Muslims responsible for terrorism everywhere in the world, because Islam is the religion of mercy. However, terrorism is mainly caused by the USA and Israel, which are the main sponsors of terrorism, and they are even terrorists, because they kill Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem and Iraq…. They are fighting Islam and trying to defame it…. I call on all Arab Muslims and Christians to get rid of their backwardness.

  • emad

    2010-11-12

    May God have mercy upon the martyrs and admit them into Paradise, where they will enjoy eternal bliss. I ask God to give us victory over terrorism. May God have mercy upon our martyrs and provide their families with patience.

  • 2010-11-12

    They are lost and ignorant people, who defame Islam and hate it. I ask God to take revenge upon them, and to punish them according to their sinful act.

  • 2010-11-12

    When will we stop keeping silent! We have to move quickly otherwise, we will be the victims next time. I wish the demonstrations were beneficial. I will pray for the sake of terrorists hoping that they will repent and return to Jesus, the true Lord…

  • بغدادية وافتخر

    2010-11-12

    The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “Harming a non-Muslim citizen in a Muslim state is akin to harming me.” May God amputate the hands of those devils, and thwart their malicious and cunning planning…. You are killers, and Islam has nothing to do with Al-Qaeda… May God curse and disgrace you…. You should first look at your own sins, corruption and misdeeds, before judging the innocents, who are not guilty of anything… I seek God’s help against you, and I ask him to take revenge upon you for your heinous deeds… May God have mercy upon them and admit them to heaven. They are poor people who lost their lives and were not guilty of anything!! O killers! I seek God’s help against you! O villains! One day, you will stand in front of God and our Prophet, peace be upon him, will disgrace you...

  • 2010-11-12

    Terrorism came to us at the hands of some foreigners who want to destroy our country. Join hands and do not allow anyone to divide you.

  • سيسو

    2010-11-12

    The victims will be sent to Paradise, and the dirty hands that stand behind this heinous crime will be discovered and punished, God willing!

  • ا

    2010-11-11

    Those terrorists are the soldiers of the USA in Iraq, and I am sure that they have nothing to do with Islam in any way.

  • طلال

    2010-11-11

    Targeting the Christian minority is very sad, especially since this crime was committed out of extremism…. I think that the Christians themselves played a role in causing this crime…. The Copts in Egypt imprison Muslim women, and Al-Qaeda has threated several times to target the Christians if they do not release those captured Muslim women … Nevertheless, the church did notrespond to these demands, and this obstinacy has led to this crime… On the other hand, tens of thousands of Iraqi Muslims die every day, but no one speaks about that; but when any terrorist operation here in Egypt or in Iraq targets the Christians, they raise hell. Why do you behave like this? I think that some people try to depict things differently, disregarding this truth….

  • احمد رجب

    2010-11-11

    Why do they always try to defame Egypt? We did not submit to their threats. May God have mercy upon the martyrs and curse terrorism. A Christian and Muslim Egyptian citizen…

  • 2010-

    2010-11-11

    May God have mercy upon our Iraqi martyrs inside and outside the church. Certainly, this is terrorism and those terrorists will be sent to hell. We ask God to heal our wounds. Napoleon. Thanks.

  • زمن حسين

    2010-11-11

    May God have mercy upon the martyrs of the Lady of Salvation Church.

  • شوقى

    2010-11-11

    God is here.

  • مصراوي

    2010-11-11

    Who said that they are Muslims? They may be intruders who want to sow the seeds of dissension and religious strife between the Muslims and the Christians.

  • 2010-11-11

    By the way, we love the Muslims, but if Islam and the Quran support what happened, then we will never love Islam, because God can never call for killing in his cause… God does not need jihad, but he promotes himself through love, peace and tolerance, not murder, terrorism and torture… By the way, we pray for you and declare that we forgive you, because we love you as our God told us…

  • علاء الدين

    2010-11-11

    In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the ever Merciful. Peace be upon those who follow guidance. These acts have no religion, because our religion is the religion of peace, and it knows no terrorism.

  • الرب معي فا ممن اخاف

    2010-11-11

    If the members of al-Qaeda, the so-called Islamic State, are real men, not just in name, then let them confront us face to face, rather than killing us by treachery and by stabbing us in the back.

  • يموت الشرير بشرة

    2010-11-10

    My body consoles my brothers living in Iraq, and my soul congratulates the patient striving church in the land that is complaining to the Lord, with its priests, people, men, women and children…. This is a great scene for the Christians who are traveling upward to heaven… the Christ and the Lord are waiting for them in heaven, to ask them to take some rest until their brothers, who are still on earth, join them… Please, dear God! Make me one of those good companions, and crown me as a martyr in the name of the victorious king Jesus… I thank the evil hand of Osama bin Laden that sent me to heaven, where all Christians wish to go… The gospel says: I wish to go and be with Jesus… this is much better… Congratulations to our brothers in Iraq, who moved to their original abode, where he is present; the victorious king… Jesus Christ… We will live with him forever… The Lady of Salvation Church will come with us to convince the world of Jesus… the God of the Christians… Amen...

  • 2010-11-10

    May God curse the infidels who target the Iraqis, regardless of their religion. May God have mercy upon our martyrs and lodge them in Paradise.

  • ma

    2010-11-10

    "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…" Amen. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims. May God’s peace be upon your hearts.

  • جون

    2010-11-10

    Jesus Christ will soothe your hearts and protect Christians all over the world. He will also protect his children and honor them. Amen.

  • ملك

    2010-11-10

    Islam is the religion of peace, and its greeting means “with peace”…. Islam has nothing to do with violence, and we conduct ourselves according to the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him, who stated that harming a non-Muslim citizen within a Muslim state means harming the Prophet himself, peace be upon him. The Prophet, peace be upon him, spoke the truth…

  • sameh103

    2010-11-10

    I am an Egyptian Christian, and I extend my sincere condolences to the great Iraqi people… I say out loud that we have to be united in the face of terrorism, because they target us all …. Islam has nothing to do with those killers and I wish that you would not confuse Islam with terrorism, because terrorism has no religion or home… The Muslim knows that God can never accept this, because they have been our brothers since the ancient times…. May God increase love among us, remove any disunity, and protect the Arab world from all evils…

  • أحمد درويش

    2010-11-10

    Please, do not exploit this crime in order to accuse Islam and Muslims of responsibility for it; otherwise, we can say that terrorism in general and Osama bin Laden in particular is a U.S., Western and Christian product, and this is their own product being returned to them. I am a Muslim, and I am proud to be a follower of this great religion, which is the religion of peace and love. I wish all the commentators would avoid mixing things up and manipulating words… Peace be upon the peace advocates...

  • عمرو المصري

    2010-11-10

    I hate those who kill civilians. Where is the government? Your brother, Amr al-Masri.

  • nancy

    2010-11-10

    All the terrorist acts happen because of the negligence of the security forces and the governments in all countries. We have to take a stance against all the terrorists and execute them all. May God help us.

  • مارينا

    2010-11-9

    I swear that this is prohibited, because we are silent and we take no action against anything.

  • atmajo

    2010-11-9

    God has the ability to save us from this furnace of misery.

  • 2010-11-9

    These are mere lies, because 150 hostages or citizens cannot be liberated within two hours. Who is the loser? The government says that this is a specific operation, while the terrorists say that a heroic group has killed…. The only loser is the Iraqi people, who pay for these mistakes with their pure blood.

  • 2010-11-9

    Islam has nothing to do with the crimes of those killers, and the Iraqi security forces are unsuccessful.

  • فين النجاح ياوزير الدفاع

    2010-11-9

    "The explosion of the bomb belt killed 51 persons, including two priests, women and children, in addition to 11 members of the Iraqi security forces. 66 people were wounded in the attack, including 32 security men. This operation represented a real test of the abilities of the security forces and their experience in handling such difficult situations. They passed the test successfully, with only 66 dead people and 66 wounded people, but the operation was successful." I swear to God that those people were unsuccessful, and the Minister of Defense supervised the operation in the field. This is empty nonsense and has little regard for people’s lives.

  • 2010-11-8

    To me, this crime is not strange for those criminals and offspring of the Khawarij, who rebelled against Imam Ali, may God be pleased with him. The Prophet, peace be upon him, told us about them. They are rapists and exploiters of opportunities, and they are misguided. Woe to those who support them, they will face severe punishment on the Day of Judgment.

  • 2010-11-8

    God is with us.

  • جسين كاباري

    2010-11-8

    There is none worthy of worship except God. Those who split brothers apart and plant grudges between the religions have nothing to do with Islam, which is a religion too pure to contain these thoughts.

  • الارض الطيبة

    2010-11-8

    The United States and Israel are certainly behind this criminal act. May God destroy both of them. Amen.

  • مسلم مقهور

    2010-11-8

    Are the Christians disbelievers or not? Do you consider the believers in Islam equal to the disbelievers? This act is better than liberating Jerusalem, because it is a great work, the Christians are disbelievers, and they want to destroy the believers.

  • 2010-11-8

    God does not forget anyone and He will take revenge upon them.

  • اذكر الله

    2010-11-8

    There is none truly worthy of worship but God and Muhammad is His Messenger. O God! forgive us our sins.

  • مروان

    2010-11-8

    May God have mercy upon all men and women who died and curse the oppressors and disbelievers.

  • raafat

    2010-11-8

    The children were crying and dying in front of the eyes of their parents and relatives… May god help them! What is the guilt of those children and the people who were performing prayers…. May god help the people of Iraq, because they all are suffering terribly…. I share your sorrows and tears… We pray for you…. May Allah protect your country from all the evils…

  • emad

    2010-11-8

    May God punish the opressors.

  • بيتر

    2010-11-7

    Does the Lord allow terrorism?

  • 2010-11-7

    May God be with them.

  • ياسر

    2010-11-7

    This is unfair…. May God admit them into Paradise…. May God cut off the hands of the terrorists…. I am a Christian….

  • احمد العراقي

    2010-11-7

    O God, have mercy upon the martyrs of Iraq, and disgrace all those who want to harm the Iraqis… May God curse the criminals and those who trade in Iraqi blood, like the reckless man Abdulqadir Al-Ubaydi and his media consultant….

  • 2010-11-7

    Those are terrorists and they have nothing to do with Islam…

  • قمة الهمجيه

    2010-11-7

    We belong to God the Almighty and to him we shall return… I ask God for forgiveness… I swear that Islam has nothing to do with those killers, who kill in the name of Islam… The Christians have been our brothers since the old days… O God, have mercy upon their martyrs and the martyrs of the Muslims… O God… take revenge upon the oppressors and the deviant people ….

  • 2010-11-7

    May God reward the Iraqis. We have to eliminate corruption and maintain unity of the Arabs. Religion is for God, but home is for all. Muhammad Mahmoud.

  • 2010-11-7

    May God reward the Iraqis in the best way… We have to eliminate corruption and achieve Arab unity… The religion is for God, but homeland is for all… Muhammad Mahmoud….

  • مصرى

    2010-11-7

    More than 120 persons died or were wounded, and you are still insisting that the security plan has succeeded!!! I really wonder what would be the case if it had failed. What would be the expected number of victims in such a case? How about 25 million Iraqis?

  • صفاء البديري

    2010-11-7

    I do not know from where those brainwashed and inhumane killers came… May God curse them and those who recruited them until the Day of Judgment … May God curse Al-Qaeda and the other terrorist organizations…. May God have mercy upon the good Iraqis…

  • 2010-11-6

    Killing the innocents is a cowardly act….

  • hassanetman

    2010-11-6

    Dear sirs… we should not understand Islam incorrectly, because it is the religion of mercy, love, and brotherhood among all people, not killing and racism… Otherwise, you would never have found churches, from the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, until today…. The Prophet, peace be upon him, even recommended that we treat the Christians kindly. Religion should not be a commodity in the hands of the hypocrites who have gone astray while they believe that they are doing good…

  • 2010-11-6

    We seek God’s help against them….

  • 6

    2010-11-5

    May God destroy you, O evil people.

  • مصري حزين

    2010-11-5

    Any religion that accepts these acts is a devilish religion.

  • 2010-11-5

    Why are the Christians persecuted?

  • زمان

    2010-11-5

    Islam has nothing to do with those who kill and attack the innocents and the house of worship. We seek God’s help against them.

  • 2010-11-5

    Father forgive them, for they know not what they do….. So spoke Jesus when he was crucified… We pray for those people as he taught us…. We supplicate for them to have their eyes opened and be guided to the right path… We pray for those who hate and persecute us, because it is written: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you….” Amen… Our hearty feelings are with the families of the martyrs….. May God’s peace descend upon your hearts…

  • 2010-11-5

    Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. The Christians believe that Jesus said that when he was crucified. We pray for those people as he taught us. We supplicate for them to be guided to the right path. We pray for those who hate and persecute us, because it is written: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Amen. Our feelings are with the families of the martyrs. May God’s peace descend upon your hearts.

  • عقيل

    2010-11-5

    May God curse those criminals who know nothing about Islam other than its name, and know nothing about the Quran other than its image. Their mosques are full, but they have no knowledge or good understanding of Islam. Their scholars are the worst. Islam has nothing to do with those deviant people.

  • العراقي

    2010-11-5

    May God curse whoever kills the innocents…. Damnation on these criminal killers, the companions of the devil, and the enemies of the heavenly religions…. Islam has nothing to do with these examples, which are like germs that threaten mankind…. Islam is the religion of peace, mercy and compassion, rather than killing, displacement and Takfir…. We belong to God the Almighty and to him we shall return…

  • 2010-11-5

    We seek God’s help against them.

  • ابو بكر

    2010-11-5

    May God curse Bush Junior, because he was behind what happened and what is happening in Iraq, which was a secure country before the spiteful crusade campaign. Bush, the Americans, and their allies are responsible for every Iraqi citizen killed in Iraq.

  • 2010-11-4

    We seek God’s help against whoever harms our people. We condemn those barbarian criminals.

  • 2010-11-4

    The Arab as a whole, whether Muslims or Christians, are targeted in all possible ways. We may be killed or subjected. We seek God’s help against the oppressors and killers of the innocent Muslims and Christians. I swear we wept and grieved for the innocents who were killed in Iraq.

  • سلام يا عراق

    2010-11-4

    Dear brothers… the issue is more complicated and serious. Al-Qaeda currently kills women and children!! What will it do tomorrow? It is about to blow out the schools,the hospitals of the newborns and homes of the elders!!!! May Allah have mercy upon the martyrs of Iraq….

  • افغا

    2010-11-4

    May God curse Osama bin Laden who uses his money to kill the innocents.

  • salah _aqwa @coom

    2010-11-4

    I swear the innocent who were killed by those spiteful people are not guilty of anything! God is the Almighty!

  • سامى القبطى

    2010-11-4

    What does the terrorist leaders do? Do they destroy themselves under the pretext of Jihad? Is this logical? You will go to hell either way, because Jihad and martyrdom should be for a noble cause rather than violence and narrow-mindedness. However, I declare that I am proud of being Christian and I know God well and realize the meaning of the belief in the religion. No matter what you do and regardless of your terrorist and spiteful acts, the Muslims and the Christians will remain brothers in the homeland and life. No man can defy God and His wisdom. So, do whatever you want, but you will not succeed in disuniting us because we are brothers forever.

  • k

    2010-11-4

    Their demands were simple and clear, so why did the Iraqi security forces and the Copts in Egypt not respond to them? These two are the ones responsible for this crime because they refused to respond to the demands of the militants.

  • 2010-11-4

    O God forgive them because they do not know what they do. God will reckon them on the Day of Judgment.

  • 2010-11-4

    Islam is the religion of humanity and morals… It is noteworthy that when the Muslims came to the Negus, they told him about the description of Mary in the Quran and this proves that Islam respects all the religions… It is the religion of peace and it protects the rights of Man… I do not think Al-Qaeda or sectarianism has any relationship with the pure religion of Islam. These corruptions are the result of politics…

  • 2010-11-3

    The sky welcomed our martyrs and they ascended with the diadems on their heads… May god have mercy upon them and we ask forgiveness to them…. I want to thank the terrorists because you provide each Copt with steadfastness and strength… We ask forgiveness from our lord Jesus and to place his merciful hand on the heads of the Copts everywhere…

  • google

    2010-11-3

    We have to change the educational curricula and TV and radio programs, as well as printed mass media in the Arab and Muslim world that call for hating others, and replace them with democratic principles and purposeful discussions… We have to remove the materials that call for hatred and violence from the educational curricula, or even remove religion from education altogether, and replace it with the subject of citizenship…. We must also be severe to those who use religion for political purposes…

  • midoooo

    2010-11-3

    I wish you would also liberate it from the accursed people and unite with each other as Sunnis and Shia, on the condition that you refrain from committing acts that contradict the Islamic sharia.

  • صفر

    2010-11-3

    The article is incorrect.

  • مأمون الموسوي

    2010-11-3

    May God curse the oppressors.

  • عرلقي

    2010-11-2

    This is an absolutely cowardly act in the true sense of the word…. They attack peaceful people in the houses of worship … Woe to Al-Qaeda and to those who work with it…. Did they commit this crime in the name of Islam in response to the verse that commands them to terrorize the enemies of God?

  • ali

    2010-11-2

    I swear, this is a tragic incident, because many innocents were killed in this barbaric attack that was carried out by the infidel Al-Qaeda… They allege that they call for Islam, but Islam has nothing to do with them or their acts…

  • 2010-11-2

    May God curse the oppressors who kill the innocents, children and women.