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
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