Orthodox Archbishop praises President Barzanis' efforts to protect Christians

When we fled ISIS, President Barzani told us you are in your own home.

Kurdistan 24 2022/12/10 20:45

Mor Nicodemos Daoud Matti Sharaf, President of Syriac Orthodox Church in Kurdistan Region, Kirkuk, and Mosul delivering remarks at the inauguration of Meltho Interantional School in Erbil, Dec. 10, 2022. (Photo: KRG)

Kurdistan President Barzani Prime Minister Masrour Barzani Katalin Novák Mor Nicodemos Daoud Matti Sharaf Christians in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan) – Mor Nicodemos Daoud Matti Sharaf, President of Syriac Orthodox Church in Kurdistan Region, Kirkuk, and Mosul, on Saturday praised KDP president Masoud Barzanis' efforts to protect Christians against ISIS attacks.

“When we fled Islamic State (ISIS) President Barzani told us you are in your own home, and you are not alone. If we are going to live, we will live together, and if we die, we will die together," the archbishop said at the inauguration of Meltho International School in Ankawa district, Erbil.

Archbishop Sharaf also said that the second side that helped during the ISIS attack after president Barzani was Hungary.

“We are with you. Even though we’re in Europe, we feel the same as you,” Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, told the archbishop when they attacked by ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani attended the inauguration of the Hungary-funded Meltho International School in Erbil’s Christian quarter of Ankawa. Hungarian President Katalin Novák attended the ceremony as well along with Kurdish officials as well as members of the religious communities.

“We Hungarians are a nation of doers. We are there where help is needed,” the President of Hungary wrote in a Tweet.

We #Hungarians are a nation of doers. We are there where help is needed. We are proud that thanks to Hungary 🇭🇺, the „Meltho (Light) International School” could be opened in #Erbil today.#HungaryHelps pic.twitter.com/82WHuJE56L
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovakMP) December 10, 2022

Hungarian President Katalin Novák also said that her country is ready to help the growth of the Kurdistan Region on Saturday during the inauguration of an international school.

Katalin Novák was the first Hungarian head to visit Iraq, she met Hungarian soldiers stationed in Iraq, and humanitarian projects implemented under the auspices of the Hungary Helps program.

"Before Christmas I visited our troops in Iraq," she later wrote in a Tweet.

Before Christmas I visited our troops in #Iraq. The 🇭🇺Hungarian Defence Forces are not only fighting against our common enemy, international terrorism, but also for #peace in 🇮🇶. We are proud of you! pic.twitter.com/2AOKOA3e2q
— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovakMP) December 10, 2022