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Vatican to Muslims - practise what you preach February 24, 06 Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor PARIS (Reuters) - After backing calls by Muslims for respect for their religion in the Mohammad cartoons row, the Vatican is now urging Islamic countries to reciprocate by showing more tolerance towards their Christian minorities. Roman Catholic leaders at first said Muslims were right to be outraged when Western newspapers reprinted Danish caricatures of the Prophet, including one with a bomb in his turban. Most Muslims consider any images of Mohammad to be blasphemous. After criticising both the cartoons and the violent protests in Muslim countries that followed, the Vatican this week linked the issue to its long-standing concern that the rights of other faiths are limited, sometimes severely, in Muslim countries. Vatican prelates have been concerned by recent killings of two Catholic priests in Turkey and Nigeria. Turkish media linked the death there to the cartoons row. At least 146 Christians and Muslims have died in five days of religious riots in Nigeria. "If we tell our people they have no right to offend, we have to tell the others they have no right to destroy us," Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican's Secretary of State (prime minister), told journalists in Rome. "We must always stress our demand for reciprocity in political contacts with authorities in Islamic countries and, even more, in cultural contacts," Foreign Minister Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo told the daily Corriere della Sera. Reciprocity -- allowing Christian minorities the same rights as Muslims generally have in Western countries, such as building houses of worship or practising religion freely -- is at the heart of Vatican diplomacy towards Muslim states. Vatican diplomats argue that limits on Christians in some Islamic countries are far harsher than restrictions in the West that Muslims decry, such as France's ban on headscarves in state schools. Saudi Arabia bans all public expression of any non-Muslim religion and sometimes arrests Christians even for worshipping privately. Pakistan allows churches to operate but its Islamic laws effectively deprive Christians of many rights. Both countries are often criticised at the United Nations Human Rights Commission for violating religious freedoms. "ENOUGH TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK" Pope Benedict signalled his concern on Monday when he told the new Moroccan ambassador to the Vatican that peace can only be assured by "respect for the religious convictions and practices of others, in a reciprocal way in all societies". He mentioned no countries by name. Morocco is tolerant of other religions, but like all Muslim countries frowns on conversion from Islam to another faith. Iraqi Christians say they were well treated under Saddam Hussein's secular policies, but believers have been killed, churches burnt and women forced to wear Muslim garb since Islamic groups gained sway after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. Christians make up only a tiny fraction of the population in most Muslim countries. War and political pressure in recent decades have forced many to emigrate from Middle Eastern communities dating back to just after the time of Jesus. As often happens at the Vatican, lower-level officials have been more outspoken than the Pope and his main aides. "Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It's our duty to protect ourselves," Monsignor Velasio De Paolis, secretary of the Vatican's supreme court, thundered in the daily La Stampa. Jesus told his followers to "turn the other cheek" when struck. "The West has had relations with the Arab countries for half a century, mostly for oil, and has not been able to get the slightest concession on human rights," he said. Bishop Rino Fisichella, head of one of the Roman universities that train young priests from around the world, told Corriere della Sera the Vatican should speak out more. "Let's drop this diplomatic silence," said the rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. "We should put pressure on international organisations to make the societies and states in majority Muslim countries face up to their responsibilities." ----

Who are the Christians of Iraq?  February = Eshvadt  Vatican to Muslims - practise what you preach Feb. 24, 06 The tombs of Ur reveal treasures Feb. 23, 06 Rosie Malek-Yonan To speak at Berkely University Feb. 23, 06 IRAQI CHURCHES BOMBED: LINK WITH DANISH CARTOONS  Feb. 22, 06 Assyrian movie at the multimedia theater in Ankawa  Feb. 21, 06 Policies and Politics Iraq Three years on Feb. 21, 06 The Roman Catholic Church Role in Promoting Chaldean identity for the Catholic Assyrians Feb. 18, 06 Assyrians of Netherlands Concerned About Refugees Being Sent Back  Feb. 17, 06 Terrorism against Christianity in Pakistan Feb. 17, 06 Brought Up To Hate Feb. 17, 06 Christian and Muslim Victims of Violence  Feb. 17, 06 Assyrian-Americans Reach Out to Relatives Displaced By Iraq War Feb. 17, 06 Talabani: Autonomy for Turkmens in Kurdistan Feb. 16, 06 Ending the Exodus of Iraq's Most Vulnerable Feb. 15, 06 Christians targeted in cartoons row Feb. 14, 06 Muhammad Cartoon Protests Move Into Turkish Christian Town Feb. 14, 06 Press Release by the Assyrian Society of United Kingdom Feb. 13, 06 Iraqi Parliament Member Once Sentenced by Death of Hussein Feb. 12, 06 Iraq dignitary's visit marred by bomb threat Feb. 10, 06 SUA condemns the violence and terror against the Christians of Iraq  Feb. 10, 06 We Are Not Arab-Americans Feb. 10, 06 An Interview with Yonadam Kanna Feb. 9, 06 Lebanon bishops express solidarity with Iraqi Christians Feb. 9. 06 Ba-oota d' Ninevayee or the Fast of the Ninevites Feb. 8, 06 Chaldo-Assyrian Iraqi lawmaker speaks to backers in El Cajon Feb. 8, 06 For Iraq's Persecuted Assyrians, a Safe Haven is the Only Solution Feb. 8, 06 The Christian Role on Iraq's Fragmented Streets Feb. 6, 07 Brotherhood of cabbies joins ranks to mourn murdered driver Feb. 6, 6 Iraq Islamic Group Asks Christians to Stop Prayers in Churches Feb. 6, 06 How do Mohammad's caricatures affect the Assyrians? Feb, 6, 06 Protesters Torch Danish Mission in Beirut and ransacked the Christian neighborhood Feb. 6.06 Ongoing Hidden Persecution of Christians In Iraq  Feb 5, 06 Protests Over Muhammad Drawings Intensify Feb. 3, 06  PRESENTATION OF AN ACADEMIC TEXTBOOK "CLASSICAL ASSYRIAN LANGUAGE" IN YEREVAN Feb. 3, 06 Iraq Christians on Edge As Cartoon Row Escalates Feb. 3, 06 Enough Is Enough - Six Assyrian Christian Churches Bombed in Iraq! Feb. 2, 06 Proposal for an Assyrian Regional Government Basic Law Feb. 2, 06 Ghetto-blaster: Cantons for Assyrians and Yazidis along with the Turkomans Feb. 2, 06  Christian Watchdog Groups Say Iraqi Christians 'Endangered,' Fear Mass Exodus Feb. 2. 06 Iraq Christians Urge Westerners to Refrain from Inflaming the Situation. Feb. 2, 06 Legislation seeks to limit NGOs in Iraq  Feb. 2, 06 January = Canoon Kharaya  Iraq's Simultaneous bomb attacks killed 3 Christians Jan. 31, 06 British House of Commons Holds Hearing on Assyrian Genocide Jan. 31, 06 IRAQ: Sectarian tensions on the rise Jan. 31, 06 The World's Silence over Terrorizing Christians in Iraq Jan. 30, 06 Explosions target Christian churches in Iraq Jan. 30, 06 US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Comments about Iraq Jan. 28, 06 Insurgents Driven From Tal Afar in Northern Iraq: US Commander Jan. 27, 06 Saga of Assyrians in Iran comes to life in works by Turlock artist Jan.27, 06 Azerbaijani Soldiers Desecrate Armenian Christian Cemetery Jan. 25, 06 Iraq's WMD Secreted in Syria, Says Former Iraqi General Jan. 25. 06 The Armenians appreciate the Assyrian efforts for Seyfo's recognition. Jan. 25, 06  Cash meant for Iraqis 'misused' Jan. 25, 06 Explosion Rocks Baghdad's Assyrian District Jan. 25, 06 UC Berkeley Course "Assyrians, the Forgotten Ones" Jan. 25, 06 Moslem Protesters set Fire to a Christian House of Worship in Egypt Jan. 24, 06 Seyfo: Report of Conference at the House of Commons about the Armenian and Assyrian Genocide Jan. 24, 06 BRITISH FILM PREMIERE. DOCUMENTARY ON ARMENIAN AND ASSYRIANS GENOCIDES, 1915 Jan. 23, 06 Kidnapping of the Assyrians in Iraq continues Jan. 23, 05 Praying in Jesus' Own Language Jan. 23, 06 Renowned Assyrian Scholar Erica Reiner Jan. 22, 06 How does Iran effect Assyrians in Turlock California? Jan. 21, 06 The Seyfo Seminar at the House of Commons Jan. 21, 06 ADO: An Apolitical Petty Bourgeois Organisation or a Mature Political Leadership? Jan. 21, 06 Ammo Baba: tied, eye-folded, beaten, and then robbed Jan. 20, 06 The Final Iraq's Election's Results! Jan. 20, 06 Tomb raiders Jan. 18, 06 The Assyrian Republican mayor , Man on the move  Jan. 18, 06 Donations For Allan Enwiyah Jan. 18, 06 Exhibition by the Assyrian artist Hannibal Alkhas Jan. 17, 06 Politics & Policies: Deconstructing Iraq Jan. 16, 06 Poly Sci Course on Assyrians Offered at UC, Berkeley Jan. 15, 06 Kurds focus on corruption in Kurdistan administration  Jan. 13, 06 Ecumenism and the Eucharist Jan. 13, 06 An Assyrian Coach of the Canadian Beaver Bruins hockey team Jan.12, 06 Turkey's massacre of the Assyrians and the Armenians Jan. 11, 06 New Iraqi Constitution May Limit Women's Freedoms Jan. 10, 06 The Boomerang Effect in Iraq: If 'Kurdistan', Why Not Assyria? Jan. 10, 06 Bishop's Report From the Assyrians of Iraq Jan. 9, 06 woman journalist abducted in Iraq, interpreter, killed jan. 9, 06 PanGlobal TV adds AssyriaSat to channel lineup Jan. 9, 06 Bishop Worrys About the future of the Christians in Iraq Jan. 7, 06 Major Terror Plot Against US Ignored By US Media Jan. 6, 06 Jan. 6, 06 U.S. troops deliver gifts to Iraq - school supplies Jan. 5, 06 Iraq Election Despair Spreads To Expatriates Jan. 5, 06 Assyriologist, Erica Reiner Dead at 81- 1924-2005 Jan. 4, 06 The Last Assyrians Jan. 3, 06 Egypt Appoints First Christian Governor in Three Decades Jan, 3, 06 If Only Rocks Could Talk!  Jan . 2, 06 Car bombs, fuel riots usher in New Year in Iraq Jan. 1, 06 Errors in Biblical Dating According to Ancient Assyrian records January 1, 06 December = Canoon Gadmaya Many treasures looted from Iraqi museum still lost  Dec. 30, 05 Don't Blame the Hanukkah on the Assyrians  Dec. 30, 05   Revised  Kurds Are Flocking to Kirkuk, Laying Claim to Land and Oil Dec. 29, 05  Iraq's jailed former deputy PM Aziz gets family call for Christmas Dec. 28, 05 Family of Kurdish Historian Accuses Barzani of His Murder Dec. 28, 05 The arrest of Dr Kamal Sayid Qadir emerges as a key test of Kurdish Regional government Dec. 28, 05  Christians trying to find a place in war-torn Iraq  Dec. 28, 05 Hopes for peace in Iraq this Christmas Dece. 26, 05 Assyrians make sure Iraq pays attention Dec. 26, 05 Christmas Celebrations in Turkey Dec. 26, 05 Fearful Christmas in Baghdad Dec. 25, 05  Bullet-riddled body of Iraqi student leader found Dec. 25, 05 Iraqi Government Wishes Christians Merry Christmas Dec. 24, 05 For Iraqi Christians, Christmas represents church, family, fears Dec. 24, 05 Christians celebrate a wary Christmas in Baghdad  Dec. 24, 05   Iraqi Christians Pray and Brace for Election Outcome Dec. 24, 05 Safety fears hang over celebrations in Iraq Dec. 24, 05 Fear overshadows Christmas joy in Baghdad December 23, 05 U of T pharmacology postgraduate student from Woodbridge Came to Canada from Iraq in 1996 Dec.23, 05 Democracy in Iraq or Ethnic cleansing of the Christians? Dec. 21, 05 Sunnis, Secular Shiites Threaten Boycott Dec. 21, 05 Large Assyrian Turnout in Iraq Election Marred By Kurdish Voting Fraud Dec. 21, 05 The Real War On Christmas Dec. 19, 95 Iraq Expats Narrowly Favor Christian Assyrian Slate Dec. 19, 05 Concern expressed for Assyrian Christians in Iraq  Dec. 18, 05 Iraqis Vote in Historic Election toward Freedom, Democracy Dec. 17, 05 Turkmen Complain Kurds Cheated in Elections in Kirkuk Dec. 17, 05 Touch of Assyria in San Jose. Dec. 16, 05 Iraqi Christians flee to Jordan, Syria in response to increased persecution Dec. 16, 05 The Mid-East's beleaguered Christians Dec. 16, 05 Exiled Iraqi Christians Vote With Concern About Their Future Dec. 15, 05 Tension Mounting on Day of Iraqi Elections Dec. 15, 05 Iraqi Americans Cast Their Votes Dec. 14, 05 Information about Voting in Canada Dec. 14, 05 A vote for democracy 12, 14, 05 Iraqi expatriates to vote in elections, hopeful new government can end bloodshed Dec. 13, 05 Iraqi Americans Ponder Role in Homeland's Vote Dec. 12, 05 Iraqi-Americans ready for polls Dec 12, 2005   The Latest information about Iraq's Out-of-Country Voting Dec. 12, 05 Between Iraq and a hard place, Iraqi Christians in Syria Dec. 12, 05 Half a Million Iraqi Assyrians (including Chaldeans and Syriacs) have taken refuge in Syria Dec. 11, 05 Assyrian Claims Discussed in Australian Parliament Dec. 11, 05 Iraqis here get voice in Baghdad's future Dec. 11, 05 Official Information about Iraq's out of the country voting Dec. 10, 05 Iraq's Voting in Canada Dec. 10, 05 Iraqi community to cast votes at fairgrounds in Pleasanton Dec. 9, 05 Fostering creativity in dangerous times Dec. 8, 05 Meet Miss World Canada 2005, Ramona Amiri Dec. 8. 05 IRAQ: KURDISH PRESIDENT OFFERS REFUGE TO CHRISTIANS  Dec. 8, 05 Iraq Establishes 8 Polling Centers in the U.S. 12, 8, 05 News From Iraq Dec. 8, 05 740 Stained with the blood of our Martyrs Dec. 6, 05 Kurdistan Democratic Party Stops Assyrian Group From Campaigning Dec. 6, 05 Campaign activity, insurgent violence rise in Iraq  Dec. 5, 05 Myths About the Situation in Iraq Dec. 5, 05 Competition for the best design of the Ancient Assyrian Costumes Dec. 3, 05 List of "Reported" Assyrians murdered in Iraq in 2005. Dec. 3, 05 Dylan's quest: Six-year-old needs blood matches Dec. 3, 05 Shades of voter apathy Dec, 2, 05 Holywood Tapestries Featuring Semiramis is on Auction  Dec. 2, 05 Iraq's Oily Referendum Dec. 1, 05 Iraqi Parliamentary Elections In California Dec. 1, 05    Archives