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Jul 30, 2014
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Christian Refugee from Mosul: Our Neighbors Drove Us Out

#4414 | 02:14
Source: LBC (Lebanon)

In an interview to the Lebanese LBC/LDC TV channel, a Christian refugee from Iraq recounted how his Sunni neighbors drove the Christians out of Mosul. "[Our neighbors] said that this land belongs to Islam and that Christians should not live there," he said.


Following are excerpts from the interview, which aired on July 30, 2014:


Unnamed Christian refugee: We left Mosul because ISIS came to the city. The [Sunni] people of Mosul embraced ISIS and drove the Christians out of the city. When ISIS entered Mosul, the people hailed them and drove out the Christians.


Why did they expel just the Christians from Mosul? There are many sects in Mosul. Why just the Christians? This is nothing new. Even before, the Christians could not go anywhere. The Christians have faced threats of murder, kidnapping, jizya. This is nothing new.


[...]


I was told to leave Mosul. They said that this was a Muslim country, not a Christian one. I am being very honest. They said that this land belongs to Islam and that Christians should not live there.


Interviewer: Who told you that?


Christian refugee: The people who embraced ISIS, the people who lived there with us...


Interviewer: Your neighbors?


Christian refugee: Yes, my neighbors. Our neighbors and other people threatened us. They said: "Leave before ISIS get you." What does that mean? Where would we go?


[...]


Christians have no support in Iraq. Whoever claims to be protecting the Christians is a liar. A liar!


[...]

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