Arab Christians Redefining US Religious Landscape
With the persecution of Arab Christians and religious minorities by Muslim extremists growing steadily in the Middle East, refugees are finding shelter in places across America.
From Massachusetts to New Mexico and Michigan to Louisiana churches are offering a peaceful place to worship for many who could have only dreamed of such a thing.
With sectarian violence gripping the region, many religious minorities have seen their numbers fall in recent years. Many experts say that survival is the main priority of the religiously persecuted and that if the violence continues more will seek refuge in America.
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"When I left my village in Jordan in 1969, there were about 15,000 Christians there," said Sharif Rabadi, 60, an Albuquerque developer and businessman. "I think now there are less than 3,000 of us left."
According the U.S. State Department's 2011 report on International Religious Freedom Iraq had an estimated Christian population of around 1.4 million before the U.S. led invasion. The report stated only 400,000 to 600,000 Christians remain and face increasing violence.
Residents in Worcester, Mass., practice the pre-Christian Mandaean religion. They hold early morning baptisms in Lake Quisigamond. Mandaeans have seen their population decrease in Iraq from 70,000 in the 1990s to just 3,000 today.
In addition, more than 1,000 Iranian Mandaeans have fled to the U.S. after Iran passed laws prohibiting Mandaeans in civil life.
Rev. Bakhos Chidiac, pastor of St. Rafka Maronite Church of Lakewood, Colo., recently held a service in Albuquerque for about 60 people. The service was in Arabic and Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke.
The Moronite Church is an Eastern Rite branch of Catholicism with roots in Lebanon and Syria. Maronites are part of the Catholic Church. They are recognized by the Pope and hold the same core beliefs as Roman Catholics.
While the exodus is bad for Christianity’s presence in the Middle East, it is allowing friends and families who faced unspeakable hardships the opportunity to worship in peace without fear of attacks.
Joseph Amar, director of programs in Arabic and Syriac at the University of Notre Dame said, "Many come to cities with no familiar church and will just attend Roman Catholic services."
