foxnews.com - 12/25/2008
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Thursday, December 25, 2008 BAGHDAD Iraq's Christians, a small minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time. But security worries overshadowed the day ...
metacafe.com - 12/24/2008
news.bbc.co.uk - 12/29/2008
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news.bbc.co.uk —
The number of civilians killed by violence in
Iraq has fallen by two-thirds in 2008, researchers say....
Official Iraqi figures say 5,714 people were killed in 2008 compared to 16,252 the previous year. The non-governmental organisation Iraq Body Count ...
(more)
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq civilian deaths down in 2008
news.yahoo.com - 12/25/2008
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news.yahoo.com —
BAGHDAD Iraq's Christians, a scant minority in this
overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with...
a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time. But security worries ...
(more)
For first time, Christmas official holiday in Iraq - ...
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Blog Reactions
IRAQ MAKES CHRISTMAS an official holiday.
UPDATE: “Christmas without fear.”…
Instapundit —
IRAQ MAKES CHRISTMAS an official holiday.
UPDATE: “Christmas without fear.”
EU Leader Urges Arab Governments to Allow Churches
Gateway Pundit —
... countries in the same way that mosques can be built in Europe. In Saudi Arabia, at the end of a tour of Gulf countries to boost cooperation between the two regions, Poettering said Arab governments need to be more tolerant of other religions. "It is vital that we get a better understanding of the Islamic culture," he said. "But it's a two-way road. We ask for tolerance for Christians ... in the Arab world. It's mutual." Iraq today announced that it is making Christmas an offical holiday.
Christmas, and the Christ Child, Around the World
The Sundries Shack —
... and I don’t know how long the special forces will protect us,” she told Asia News. “But Christmas is a time of gratitude. I am afraid that my people will still be attacked, but this is our life. If God has saved me, he can save other Christians too.” The witness of this beautiful girl, as I think it should humble every Christian who has not yet been required to face any real persecution for our faith. On the other side of the world another miracle has unfolded, years in the making. Iraq has declared Christmas an official national holiday (via ...
Iraq makes Christmas an official holiday
TigerHawk —
... , an "Islamic Frankenstein monster." Now, the democratic government, looking forward to having to face voters at the ballot box and govern the country without help from the Americans, has declared Christmas a national holiday . American defeatists have found ...
American Military And Bush To Blame For Christmas Without Fear In Iraq
Pat Dollard | Young Americans —
FOX:
Iraq Declares Christmas an Official Holiday for First Year
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Christians, a small minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time.
But security worries overshadowed the day for many, particularly in the north where thousands of Christians have fled to escape religious attacks.
Overall security in Iraq has improved markedly in the past year, but a ...
Christmas, Doubt and Downturns
The Anchoress —
... mythology that departs from any other mythology to introduce not a god, but God-made-man; esteem in the notion that humanity is so valued and beloved of its Creator that he would want to set his tent among theirs; joy in a story of stars and angelsong and new life, and most of all — hope: that what has gone wrong may be made right; that frightening realities can be borne and incalculable debts paid down, that darkness may be pierced and shelter may be found.
Now an Official Holiday: Christmas Without Fear - In Iraq (H/T)
Christmas and ...
Peace on Earth
The Moderate Voice —
... Faith, and religion, are two of the most segregated items in our society. I can not count the number of denominations that exist within Christianity alone; much less attempt to list the non-Christian religions throughout the world. This day, above all others, allows us the opportunity to come together as part of the human family. Today, for the first time, Christians in Iraq have a modicum of religious toleration. I believe the God in Heaven is pleased with his children in their ability to learn from their past mistakes and move beyond the arrogance of faith. ...
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By Adam Weinstein
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corner.nationalreview.com 12/22/2008 — The number of daily attacks in Iraq has fallen almost 95% from levels a year ago. Also of note, the murder rate in Iraq in November was 0.9 per 100,000 people. That is lower than the rate from before Saddam was overthrown. For those keeping score, the ...
SoI: Diyala
mudvillegazette.com 1/12/2009 — Continuing a series begun here .
As 2008 drew to a close, Adam Weinstein, MNC-I Public Affairs, sent us the following update on the transfer of the Sons of Iraq program to Government of Iraq control.
*****
Progress for Peace: Reconciliation ...
What's Next in Iraq
michaeltotten.com 12/1/2008 — I'm working on a long dispatch from the Sadr City area. Here is a short piece in COMMENTARY to hold you over in the meantime. Thank you for being patient. Everything, including writing and publishing, is a gigantic hassle in Iraq.
BAGHDAD For the ...
Paterson back from Iraq, with Sen. candidates —
First Read 12/24/2008
From NBC’s Lauren Appelbaum After returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany this afternoon, Gov. D avid A. Paterson (D-NY) held a media availability with two New York congressmen, Representatives Steve Israel and Anthony Weiner . Reporters ...
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