INTERVIEW

Assyrian Christian Urges Prayer for Iraq

By CBN News

April 30, 2004

CWNews.org – It's been a little more than a year since the fall of Baghdad. Some say there's been little progress for the average Iraqi. Christians may face even worse dangers as Muslims fight for control of the country.

Ken Joseph is an American whose grandparents emigrated from northern Iraq. Like his grandparents, he is an Assyrian Christian. He has been living in Iraq for the past year.

Christian World News anchor George Thomas interviewed Ken on the program.

George Thomas: From watching the media reports-It seems like Iraq is falling apart. How accurate is this picture?

Ken Joseph: Not at all. It was surprising to come out and find out all this bad news about Iraq. I mean, when you're in Iraq it's only good. We just got cell services, Iraqi Cell Phone. We just got cell phone service about a month and a half ago, the stores are full, for the first time you can talk on the phone without fear, use the Internet, people are happy. It's completely different than it was before.

Thomas: What are Iraqi Christians most concerned about right now?

Joseph: It's the best of times and the worst of times. The Christians in particular are happy that they're finally liberated, but extremely concerned about the July 1 handover, that it could very well turn into an Islamic state.

Thomas: Is there fear that, if unchecked, Muslim radicals could turn Iraq into an Islamic state?

Joseph: Our deepest concern is Article 7 of the Constitution says Islam is the official religion of the state. And that's totally unacceptable, as far as the Christians are concerned.

Thomas: As you come back here to the United States, what is the message you are carrying, for the American audience, the Christians here, but also believers around the world?

Joseph: First of all to pray that the Constitution will be changed. But second, to do what they can to petition their own governments to make sure that 2.5 million Christians-one of the largest remaining Christian communities in the Middle East-are protected and have complete freedom. As we would expect for ourselves.

Thomas: Under this new Constitution are Christians protected? This present Constitution?

Joseph: No. We feel that they're not adequately protected. And we feel that the Constitution will be further changed once this July 1 plan goes forward.

Thomas: That was my other question. Is there a fear that… Some have called this Constitution quite a significant Constitution, it's got an extensive Bill of Rights, but yet there's a caveat in this Constitution. Is there any concern that the next government will take this Constitution and completely rewrite it?

Joseph: Right. Our concern is, even with the Americans organizing it, this was all we got. Once they're gone, all bets are off. I met with one of the people that is very likely to be the next Prime Minister, a few days ago, and he scared me.

Thomas: Are Iraqis… Do they want us to leave, come July 1?

Joseph: If you ask the average Iraqi, no. Twenty percent of the people were connected with Saddam, but the rest of them are desperately afraid that the Americans are going to leave. It's the exact opposite of the media says.

Thomas: And obviously, security is a big issue right now?

Joseph: Yeah.

Thomas: Thank you so much. And traveling mercies to you as you go back and forth.
Thank you so much for joining us. Keep us posted.

Visit Ken Joseph's web site.

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