Iraqi Americans expressing solidarity for victims of the humanitarian crisis during a protest at Dearborn City Hall last weekend. A banner from the rally read, “Iraqi Community In USA Supporting The Iraqi Army Against Terrorism.”

DEARBORN — Iraqi Americans protested the growing violence in their homeland last weekend outside Dearborn City Hall. 

Militants who are now pushing to gain a stronghold in Baghdad seized control of major cities in Iraq, including Mosul and Tikrit.  

During the protest, Iraqi Americans expressed solidarity for victims of the attacks. Demonstrators chanted for peace and stability in Iraq and read poems. A sign was held up at the demonstration that read, “Iraqi community in USA, supporting the Iraqi army against terrorism.”

Another rally entitled, “NO ISIS, NO TERRORISM” is scheduled to take place Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m. in front of the I.M.A.M building located at 835 Mason Street in Dearborn. Community leaders and members from different states and Canada are expected to participate in the protest and stand as one voice against terrorism, specifically the ISIS, the worst terrorist group in Iraq and the region. 

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A meeting was held by members metro Detroit’s Iraqi Christian community in response to the recent violence plaguing their homeland.

n light of the current sectarian strife in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Syria, Shia and Sunni imams and leaders of the Michigan’s Muslim community are together praying for peace and urge cessation of all hostilities.

The Michigan Muslim Community Consul issued the following statement: “The Muslim community stands together united in affirming their commitment to peace, condemning all forms of sectarianism and divisions.” 

In 2007, when sectarian violence in Iraq was at its height, Muslim leaders stepped forward and endorsed the Muslim Code of Honor. On May 10, 2007, 27 Michigan imams came together and signed the historic document’s six points. Among other things, the Code of Honor called for respect for others’ beliefs. 

The Southfield based charitable group Life for Relief and Development is stepping up efforts to help displaced Iraqis involved in the crisis. 

The non-profit humanitarian charity was founded in 1992 by concerned Arab American professionals in response to the humanitarian crises that developed in Iraq as a result of the 1991 Gulf War. Since then it has grown into the largest Arab American humanitarian relief and development organization.

Since the start of the 2003 U.S. led invasion, roughly 30,000 Iraqis have migrated to the region to escape political turmoil.

On Friday, June 13, a meeting was held in West Bloomfield at the Iraqi Christian Advocacy and Empowerment Institute in the wake of the recent violence. The meeting included 40 activists from the Chaldean community. A discussion was held regarding long-term goals on how to protect Iraq’s Christians. Iraqi Christians are the indigenous people of the war-torn country, but today only a few hundred thousand remain. After the invasion, more than half fled the country in large part because of religious persecution. 

Local Iraqi Christians are taking great measures to preserve their heritage in Iraq. ISIS has claimed responsibility for gruesome atrocities against various religious sects, including Christians. 

Elected officials, including Congressman Sander Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow, State Representative Klint Kesto and State Representative Rudy Hobbs, all attended the meeting. 

Plans are underway for local activists to meet with high ranking elected officials in Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of Iraqi Christians. 

Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako called for a day of prayer and fasting worldwide in response to the situation.  

Youth in the community are also being encouraged to travel to Washington D.C. and help circulate a letter by hand to the offices of each member of the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate. 

The letter will detail the background of the plight of Christians in Iraq, and ask the U.S. government to provide protection, security and aide to empower them and develop sustainable communities.

To donate or assist Life for Relief and Development with providing support for Iraqis call 248.424.7493 or visit www.lifeusa.org. For more information on the upcoming protest call 313.562.462. To obtain information on how to take part in raising awareness on the plight of minorities in Iraq to officials in Washington D.C. email Steward Media at info@steward-media.com.