In the days since the Iraqi church attack and subsequent days of bombings in nearby neighbourhoods, our FM team have been meeting with people in the community, taking phone calls and text messages, to cover the breaking news. Iraqi Muslims and Christians have been contacting the FM team with words of condolence, forgiveness and peace. The radio producers are encouraging their fellow Christians to be patient, not to leave the country, but to fight back terrorism with their faith and hope. Here are some of the comments sent to the radio station by Iraqi Muslims and Christians last week in response to these recent events (translated from Arabic):

• “Good morning. I really wanted to call you but your phones are busy. What happened has nothing to do with our faith. Because the Koran doesn’t encourage killing innocent unarmed people even children! They distort Islam and make it into a religion of violence and terrorism.”
• “We console the Iraqi people and bereaved families for the terrorist attack which targeted our brothers the Christians.”
• I’m very sad to hear this news through your programme. I wish we can promote the culture of love instead of violence. These days even children’s games are full of violence and killing. We need to teach our children the language of love not violence.”
• “Allah didn’t command us to kill and be violent, but to love, forgive and establish peace.”
• “Of course we’re very sad about what happened. The Lord lives and he is our Lord and our lives are in his hand. Everything eventually comes to an end!!”
• “Fear not for I have redeemed you, called you by your name; you are mine. I pray that for the families who lost loved ones.”
• “I will pray that God may protect you from evil ones tonight and every night. May God blind the eyes of the enemy! We have one enemy – the devil – and believers are enemies of no one. May Christ give you his peace comfort and protection!”