Dear Friends,
After writing the first article on my daily life in Iraq, I received many replies from members of Armenian Internet groups expressing their support for me and Iraqi Armenians who live under the conditions prevailing in Iraq now. I feel grateful for all the replies I received. Some of the repliers asked me to write more about my daily life that would reflect the plight of Iraqi Armenians.
Increase of Violence
Increase of Violence
The conditions in Iraq are getting worse day by day. There is an increase in the number of car bombings and sectarian violence, which claim the life of innocent people.
My Uncle's Death
My Uncle's Death
Under these conditions, my uncle Barkev Nazarian, 81, a well-known goldsmith in Baghdad and a benefactor in Baghdad's Armenian community felt ill. His two sons and daughter (all married) had left the country years ago. He entered a coma, and I, with a relative of my uncle's wife, a physician, failed to get the medical assistance of a specialized physician, because many of them have fled the country and the one I know refused to come to my uncle's house being afraid to be assassinated or kidnapped on the way!! Under different pretexts, state and private hospitals refused to receive him and my uncle passed away on Thursday, September 29 after remaining in coma for two days.
His burial faced troubles for there is a curfew imposed by the government every Friday, which is the holy day of Muslims, from 11 am to 3 pm. So, the burial was to take place before 11 am. The greatest problem was that the Armenian cemetery, as well as other Christian minorities’ cemeteries, lies at about 25 kilometers to the north-east of Baghdad, and the way to it is risky for it witnessed many bombings and attacks on cars. No one, except me, two priests and the car driver employed by the Armenian Diocese, desired to risk his life to participate in the burial. The well-known personality in the community and the goldsmith has got one participant, his nephew, in his funeral!! Thanks God, nothing happened on the way to and from the cemetery. I was informed that Chaldean (Eastern Rite Catholics who comprise the majority of Iraqi Christians) priests refuse to attend the burials in their cemetery which lies in the same region.
The Iraqi government unexpectedly extended the curfew from Friday evening to Sunday morning which was another obstacle for many people to come and offer their condolences.
With kindest regards,
Ara S. Ashjian
An Iraqi Armenian
His burial faced troubles for there is a curfew imposed by the government every Friday, which is the holy day of Muslims, from 11 am to 3 pm. So, the burial was to take place before 11 am. The greatest problem was that the Armenian cemetery, as well as other Christian minorities’ cemeteries, lies at about 25 kilometers to the north-east of Baghdad, and the way to it is risky for it witnessed many bombings and attacks on cars. No one, except me, two priests and the car driver employed by the Armenian Diocese, desired to risk his life to participate in the burial. The well-known personality in the community and the goldsmith has got one participant, his nephew, in his funeral!! Thanks God, nothing happened on the way to and from the cemetery. I was informed that Chaldean (Eastern Rite Catholics who comprise the majority of Iraqi Christians) priests refuse to attend the burials in their cemetery which lies in the same region.
The Iraqi government unexpectedly extended the curfew from Friday evening to Sunday morning which was another obstacle for many people to come and offer their condolences.
With kindest regards,
Ara S. Ashjian
An Iraqi Armenian
Baghdad, Iraq
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