Hundreds of Christians celebrated Palm Sunday in Qaraqosh and Karamles, places that were recently liberated from the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).
Qaraqosh was Iraq’s largest Christian town until its 50,000 inhabitants were forced to flee in August 2014. The displaced Christians haven’t been able to move back to Qaraqosh since the liberation of the town, as there is continuing insecurity in the region and houses and infrastructure have been destroyed.
Hundreds march through streets
But, for one day, they were able to go back and celebrate their faith in Christ. Hundreds of Christians marched through the streets, some carrying big banners saying ‘Blessed is who is coming in the name of the Lord, hallelujah’ or ‘Hosanna for the Son of David’, others walking with palm leaves. They then held a church service in the burned and damaged church. ‘Thank God, we are returning to our towns and churches after two years,’ said one of the church leaders in Qaraqosh.
