The governor of Nineveh has announced the development of a residential community on 60 acres of land on the left bank of Mosul, center of Ninewa province, for Christians. This initiative aims to entice them to return to their homeland, especially those who have migrated abroad.
The project was unveiled on February 23 by Nineveh Governor Abdul Qadir Dakhil, with the backing of the Nineveh Reconstruction Fund. This announcement coincided with the ongoing exodus of Christians abroad, with their numbers dwindling from 1.5 million before 2003 to a mere 250 today.
The Iraqi constitution recognized Christianity the second religion in Iraq following Islam, and Syriac as their official language.
"We are delighted to introduce this project. I am confident it will serve as a strong incentive for Christians to come back. It will instill more confidence in those who have returned from displacement, providing them with a sense of safety and security," said Ninuns Sabit, a Christian teacher resides in Talkef, Ninewa plains.
"Significant efforts have been made to support Christians, including the renovation of churches, roads, and services in Christian neighborhoods. We hope these endeavors will persist, as we Christians, like other communities, have made numerous sacrifices to safeguard our religious and cultural heritage," Ninus expressed.
When the extremist militants of the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria ISIS militants took over Nineveh and large swathes of Iraq in mid-2014, they presented Christians with three options: convert to Islam, pay fine (jizyah), or abandon their homes. Consequently, most were compelled to flee, and many of their sacred sites were obliterated.
"I am uncertain about the specifics of the community's development, who will benefit from it, and the cost associated with obtaining a housing unit. Nonetheless, this project is undeniably crucial in supporting Christians," remarked Eidan Sheikh Kalu, member of Ninewa Provincial Council.
"They have endured many hardships and it is imperative for there to be fairness in these initiatives. Population census data should be taken into consideration for such projects," he added.
According to the Iraqi federal government, over 24,000 Christian families have emigrated from Nineveh province alone.
Governor Abdul Qadir Dakhil disclosed the project in the Arab neighborhood on the left bank of Mosul, alongside the announcement of a church restoration in Tilkef, both as part of the Reconstruction Fund initiative.
Rafaat Sammo, the deputy governor of Nineveh, declined to disclose any details regarding the project's specifics or its distribution among Christians, stating, "The governor himself should provide this information."
