Bashiqa, November 14, 2016
Church bells are ringing again in the town of Bashiqa in Northern Iraq for the first time since it was seized by militants of the “Islamic state” (banned in Russia) two years ago, reports PUKmedia.
The Liturgy was celebrated in church for the first time in a long time. A large cross was installed by members of the Peshmerga Kurdish military forces on the roof of the church which had been damaged by gunmen. A Kurdish flag was hoisted nearby. Yazidi-Kurds who were allowed to return to their native Bashiqa celebrated their religious ceremonies there as well.
Christian churches, temples of Yazidis and other religious shrines of Bashiqa had been either heavily damaged or completely destroyed as a result of the terrorists’ actions.
Christians and Yazidis expressed their gratitude to the Kurdish President and Supreme Commander of the Peshmerga Massoud Barzani for his support and efforts in the liberation of their native places.
Peshmerga and Iraqi troops freed Bashiqa last week during the operation to liberate Mosul which lies some eight miles from there.
