HAMDANIYA (Iraq) - THE Christians of northern Iraq have chosen to defy mounting attacks by extremists by erecting a statue of Jesus modelled on the giant Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.The sculpture is only a tenth of the size of the 40-metre (130-foot) iconic statue that towers over the Brazilian city, but it has become a popular site for visitors in Hamdaniya, the north's largest Christian town.
'The idea of the statue is not to say Christians were here in case we leave,' said Bashar Jarjees Habash, the city's coordinator of Christian affairs. 'But the idea of building the statue of Jesus opening his arms is to send a message of peace to everyone to say that we want to live in peace with all,' said the 48-year-old.
In February, Human Rights Watch called on Iraq's government to do more to bolster security and protect Christians after a string of deadly attacks on the community ahead of last month's elections.
'The statue might be small if we compare it with what Christians did for Iraq over hundreds of years. The statue is stone and can be removed at any time, but the history of Christians cannot be abolished,' said Habash. 'We have a great history, we are very loyal to Iraq,' added the official charged by the church with preserving religious monuments.
The brick and plaster structure is in the middle of Hamdaniya, a city populated by 45,000 mostly Syriac Christians as well as a Kurdish Muslim community that makes up about 10 per cent of the inhabitants. Its construction was initiated and carried out by two local security guards who also have artistic skills. Using their bare hands, it was a labour of love. -- AFP
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