Erbil churches livestream Mass amid coronavirus lockdown

 ERBIL, Kurdistan Region  — Ainkawa churches have resorted to live streaming Mass services as the coronavirus lockdown continues. 

Mar Yousif church has been empty since the lockdown was introduced in mid-March, with no gatherings held over Easter. Instead, Mass is broadcast over the internet – also used by Pope Francis to live stream daily services from Rome. 

Local Christians continue to take part in services despite the lockdown. 

“We haven’t lost our faith and haven’t abandoned our church” local resident Faiza Abilhad told Rudaw. 

“God’s relationship with humans is not merely restricted to the churches or mosques, it has to be everywhere. People can pray and have a relationship with God everywhere,” added her daughter Dayana Dler. 

Mar Yousif priest Tariq Jameel insists that it is a “temporary solution.” 

“God willing, the situation will calm down as it was before,” he told Rudaw. 

More than 120,000 Christians live in the Kurdistan Region, as well as the disputed territories – 60% of Iraq’s Christian population. 

Reporting by Hadi Salimi 

Video by Sarkawt Mohammed