Christian delegation discusses religious coexistence in southern Iraqi provinces

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region  — A Christian delegation headed by the Iraqi Minister of Migration and Displacement held mass in Maysan and Dhi Qar provinces on Saturday, discussing religious coexistence with local officials, according to a statement from the minister.

Minister Evan Jabro, accompanied by the Patriarch of Antioch of Syriac Catholics Mar Ignatius Yusef III, visited Maysan to meet with governor Ali Douai to discuss religious coexistence in the province, Jabro’s office said in a statement.

"The visit of the Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church of Antioch to Iraq is a historic visit as it is a good initiative for all Christians in Basra, Amarrha and Nasiriyah," said the minister, who added that the visit aims to protect and “maintain” the Christian presence in Iraq.

The delegation also visited the ancient city of Ur in Dhi Qar province, the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham, where Pope Francis met with religious leaders during his March visit. 

The pontiff visited various locations across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region during his trip. He is the first pope to ever visit the country.

According to data from Erbil’s Chaldean Archbishop Bashar Warda, there were more than one million Christians in Iraq before 2003. Fewer than 300,000 remain today.