Thank you to Qatar cabinet on the same subject

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=248294&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16


Cabinet condemns genocide of Iraqi Christians

Cabinet condemns genocide of Iraqi Christians HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani presided over the weekly Cabinet session held yesterday at the Emiri Diwan.

After the meeting HE the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Nasser bin Mohamed bin Abdul Aziz al-Thani stated the following: At the outset of the meeting the Cabinet expressed Qatar’s condemnation of genocide, terrorising and displacement of Christians in northern Iraq which could undermine security and stability in the country and target its national unity. The Cabinet underlined the need to provide security to all the categories and sects of the Iraqi people and to protect Christians, to ensure their security and safety and to respect their rights and dignity.

The Cabinet called on the Iraqi people to unite in the face of such ugly acts to help maintain the unity of the country and the right of all its sects and categories to live within it in security and peace.

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A reminder to my blog readers who are Christian that Qatar recently witnessed the consecration of its first Catholic cathedral, and other Christian denominations are building churches on nearby land, generously granted by the Emir for this purpose.

Iran condemns the persecution of Iraqi Christians

I was so very pleased to see this generous and forceful statement in support of the Iraqi Christians who have suffered so much persecution and displacement. This was a great and sincere gesture by the government of Iran and I do very much appreciate it. I'd like to see the global western "mainstream media" more widely report supportive and peace making gestures such as these instead of endlessly repeating unproductive rhetoric. My thanks to the Iranian embassy in Baghdad and I hope they in return reside there in peace.

http://www2.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-22/0810160195142713.htm

Iran Condemns Attacks on Christians in Iraq

Iran's Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday slammed in a statement the recent terrorist attacks on Iraqi Christians in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq.

The statement referred to Mousl's October 14-15 bombings as "measures against humanity." According to reports, at least a dozen people were wounded in a series of bomb explosions on Tuesday and Wednesday in Mosul, 390 km north of Baghdad, and at least two insurgents were killed in clashes with police.

More than 1,000 Christian families have left the city in recent days after the attacks which US forces blame on al-Qaeda.

The statement said that the attacks were "inhuman measures carried out in line with enemies' moves to cause tension, undermine the country's security, damage the political trend and position of the Iraqi democratic government and to destroy national unity." "Enemies of Iraq's political trend and democracy will not be able to harm solidarity between minorities and other tribes and damage the country's national unity," the statement stressed.

Shortly after the terrorist attacks, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has sent a delegation to Mousl consisted of seven ministers of his cabinet including ministers of defense and migration to watch over situation of the fled Christians and prepare necessary grounds for their return.

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---> Iran-Iraq-Embassy

Prayers for utility linemen in Louisiana/Texas

It's a tough and dangerous job that I've always appreciated, the men and women who repair the transmission towers and power lines that carry electricity. As someone who is afraid when I see a spark when I plug in an appliance I am always in awe at these brave and strong folk who go out and repair storm damage in flooded and dangerous conditions. I don't know how they do it but I'm profoundly grateful on behalf of all of those who depend upon them. They have been hard at work in Louisiana after Hurricane Gustav and now even more of them are required for repair work after Hurricane Ike (two million are without power as of today). Not only is their work dangerous, but they must spend long time away from their home and families as they are on stand by and then move in to the afflicted areas. And I'm not forgetting all those who support them, such as tree removal specialists.

Anyways, prayers for their continued safety. I hate to see any injury or death to these great public service workers who give and risk so much.

Am so sad for victims of LA trains crashing

It is just a terrible and sad thing. I was a daily train commuter for many years and grew up in a "railroad town" near the tracks, and I just feel such sadness for all who were killed, terribly injured, traumatized and for the suffering families and loved ones.

I want to make a mention of appreciation for heavy equipment operators, who are essential to these rescues and recoveries. I marvel how they get the equipment in place where there is such unexpected terrain (as they have to get to wherever the accident occurred), lift such heavy wreckage, and yet do it delicately so that rescuers can get within safely and that for those who may survive the odds, that they do not harm any who might be trapped within. Seeing the photos from this accident it reminded me of the iron workers and heavy equipment operators at the World Trade Center. I think these heavy equipment operators all deserve a lot of ongoing credit and appreciation, in addition to the many rescue services.

Prayers and condolences for all involved.