Emphasizing protection and support for Christians

Former PM Al-Maliki meets with Cardinal Louis Sako in Baghdad

2024-08-05 | 20:42

BAGHDAD – Nouri Al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, met with Cardinal Louis Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the world, on Monday to discuss the conditions of Christians in the country.

During the meeting, Al-Maliki stressed the need to “respect the will” of Christian churches and support the work of Christian clergy. “Iraq is distinguished by its social, religious, and ethnic diversity, which serves as a source of strength and stability,” Al-Maliki said, according to a statement from his media office. He highlighted his commitment to promoting coexistence and harmony among Iraq’s diverse communities.

Although Al-Maliki was replaced as prime minister a decade ago, he remains a significant figure in Iraqi politics. His State of Law Coalition, the largest Shia parliamentary bloc with 38 seats, is a key member of the Coordination Framework, a pro-Iran political alliance.

Cardinal Sako urged all active forces to collaborate to improve living conditions for Iraqis and address their needs. His meeting with Al-Maliki was part of his ongoing discussions with Iraqi leaders following his return to Baghdad last April.

In July 2023, President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked a 2013 presidential decree that recognized Sako’s position as the head of the Chaldean Church, leading Sako to relocate from Baghdad to Erbil in protest. In November, the Federal Supreme Court upheld Rashid’s decision, dismissing Sako’s lawsuit, causing discontent among Iraqi Christians and the Vatican. This led to the cancellation of Easter celebrations by Iraqi Christians this year. However, on June 11, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani reinstated Cardinal Sako as the Patriarch of the Chaldeans in Iraq and the world, following months of tension.