A grim Christmas for displaced Iraqis
- 9 years ago
Displaced Christian Iraqis going through the motions this Christmas.
The decorations may be on display, but the Christmas spirit is not really there.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI CHRISTIAN, MUKHLIS SHAMOON SLEYWA, SAYING:
"We make it for the children to make them happy and not for us. We are not celebrating the New Year, it is just a symbolic thing to make the children happy."
There is Christmas shopping in this northern Iraqi town -- offering typical seasonal fare.
A church is prepared for the season.
Those who fled the violence at home in Mosul prepare meals as best they can.
But there is little joy.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI CHRISTIAN FROM MOSUL, JAWHARA YOUSSIF, SAYING:
"It is Christmas time and we are not celebrating. Why do our children suffer? They have done nothing. All the countries of the West are celebrating and we are Christians, but we are living in humiliation. We hope we would go home in the New Year and go back to ou
The decorations may be on display, but the Christmas spirit is not really there.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI CHRISTIAN, MUKHLIS SHAMOON SLEYWA, SAYING:
"We make it for the children to make them happy and not for us. We are not celebrating the New Year, it is just a symbolic thing to make the children happy."
There is Christmas shopping in this northern Iraqi town -- offering typical seasonal fare.
A church is prepared for the season.
Those who fled the violence at home in Mosul prepare meals as best they can.
But there is little joy.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI CHRISTIAN FROM MOSUL, JAWHARA YOUSSIF, SAYING:
"It is Christmas time and we are not celebrating. Why do our children suffer? They have done nothing. All the countries of the West are celebrating and we are Christians, but we are living in humiliation. We hope we would go home in the New Year and go back to ou