First Story

The participation of some JISRA participants in the 25th Gulf Cup held in Basra with the rest of the other Iraqi components to support the Iraqi national team together was one of the success stories that we had to share.

At the beginning of the project, the participants were avoiding discussion on issues of religion or belief, and they were avoiding showing their nationality and religion, but after several sessions they attended with other components and nationalities, the barriers gradually disappeared and the components began to dialogue and discuss more freely on issues of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB).

 

Through JISRA in particular and other similar projects that work on FoRB, the components of the Nineveh Plain have become more confident in showing their religion and nationality without fear or hesitation. Rather, they have become prouder that they are residents of the Nineveh Plain, which contains different components and religions.

Second Story

The Kakai community/religion is characterized by secrecy and the inadmissibility of its followers to express their religious rituals to anyone outside the religion. At the beginning of the project, the Kakais did not accept the idea of participating in JISRA because they expected that the concept of FoRB means that they have to express and talk about their religious rituals, and that it could have significant impacts on their society.

However, after participating and understanding the goals/objectives of JISRA, the number of Kakai participants in the workshops and sessions increased, and their understanding of the concept of FoRB increased. JISRA had a major role in overcoming this problem, and they had the courage and motivation to speak up for themselves and discuss their internal issues among themselves and with other components as well.

One of the women is Alaa’, When we asked Alaa’ to share about her experience with JISRA she said “After participating in JISRA activities I have become very confident in participating and representing the Kakai community as a woman, and to empower the role of Kaka’i women in my community”

Sector: Eastern Christianity

Donors:

• Embrace the Middle East – UK / EME
• Luth. Church in North Germany – Germany / ELKN
• Reformed Church in Zurich – Switzerland / ERKZ
• Stefanus Alliance Int. – Norway /SAI
• Swedish Church Relief – Sweden / SCR

CAPNI Code: CAAP2021-Alqosh

Location: Alqosh sub-district.

Duration: 1^st Jul 2021 – 31 Jan 2022

Success Stories (Ecumenical activities):

My name is Rand Fayaz. I participated in the ecumenical meeting that was held in Alqosh, in Al-Fadi Monastery as well as the event in Ankawa. I had surface knowledge about ecumenism, and the ecumenical meetings gave me the opportunity to an understanding that goes beyond the term, including the ability to pass on what I have acquired to my family and church. I learned many things about the meaning of ecumenism and the importance of solidarity and cooperation among our church families.

Furthermore, in these two fruitful meetings with different members of various churches, I got acquainted with the concept of ecumenism from an academic point of view and how it was established as a beautiful movement aimed at the concepts of living, what we have in common with the other who is different from me. We will be supportive of this enlightened thought which, I believe, is the key to solving many of the crises that occur in the Middle East.

I believe that ecumenism is a meeting, prayer, love, acceptance of the other, openness, dialogue, service, and testimony to Jesus Christ.

Sector: Eastern Christianity

Donor: Missio – Aachen – Germany (MSDE).

CAPNI Code: MSDE2101

Location: Nineveh Plain – Duhok and Erbil (Ankawa) governorates.

Duration: 1^st July 2021 – 31 Dec 2022

Success Stories (Pastoral activity – Meetings of married families – Mother of light’s Church – Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese in Kurdistan Region):

When my wife and I first started attending Meetings of Married Families at Mother of Light Church we quickly had a glimpse into what other couples struggled with. We found out that we were not alone in your struggles. We lacked the urge to attend church and the inspiration to get involved in the activities.

My name is Abir Salem I am 40 years old. My wife and I have been blessed with two twins ages 14. I am a keyboard player. I was intrigued by Rev. Zakaria Ewas’s sketches on Facebook hence we decided to attend one of the meetings; it was very different from anything we had ever seen, light and empowering. I later learned that the reverend is also a musician. Ever since then, me and my wife eagerly look forward to attending the meetings.

Not only that but I have volunteered as the keyboardist of the church choir. So inspired by Rev. Zakaria and his commitment to the church, my wife and I took part in the sketches. We practice our lines together; she corrects me, and I do the same. We have come a long way since we started.  It was one of the most fun experiences for us as a couple. I can state with certainty that our kids started to take the same road as us. They assist the reverend with technical issues. I had never played hymns on the keyboard before. Our family’s course changed as a result of joining the church family. As a person, I believe I am fulfilling a mission and am acting accordingly.