The history of Christianity in Iraq dates back to the first century AD, but since the outbreak of sectarian violence in the country following the US invasion of 2003, many Christians are fleeing their homeland and finding sanctuary in Syria. Stephen Starr reports from Damascus
Christians and Muslims have a long history of coexistence in the Middle East. Martin Tamcke, theologian, describes the history and the variety of Christian communities in the Orient in his recently published book. Claudia Mende read it
Christianity first emerged in the Orient. But today, Christians living in the Islamic world are marginalised and threatened with persecution. A problematic issue addressed at a conference organised by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Berlin, Germany. Report by Bettina Marx
Between Coexistence and Suppression
Christians and Muslims have a long history of coexistence in the Middle East. Martin Tamcke, theologian, describes the history and the variety of Christian communities in the Orient in his recently published book. Claudia Mende read it
Native to the Orient: an Armenian Orthodox priest and a worshipper light candles following the Armenian Christmas Eve procession in the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, West Bank
One rather pointed demand often aimed at Islamic associations in Germany is that Muslims should first help Christians in Islamic countries attain equal rights before demanding their own rights here. The role of Christians in the Arab world has always been a political issue and the West has enjoyed using its fellow Christians from the Orient for its own purposes, especially when convenient. Right from the beginning of his book, Martin Tamcke, Professor of Ecumenical Theology at the University of Göttingen, reassuringly distances h