Arbil: Christians in Iraq have long been an integral part of Baghdad's diverse ethnic and religious communities and have lived side by side with their Muslim neighbours for generations in areas like Camp Sara, Al Gadeer, 52 Street, Al Alaam and Al Amil.
They have also faced the difficulty of relocating to other cities and neighbourhoods as their lives were threatened by instability and murder.
As violence in Iraq flared during the past few months, churches in the Iraqi capital were targeted. These attacks have prompted officials to take strict security measures to guard the churches, but the uncertainty has forced many Christian families to migrate to Kurdistan and to Ankawa, a suburb of Arbil.
Rafil Toma, an Iraqi journalist, told Gulf News, "I left Baghdad accompanied with my family to stay in Ankawa five months ago.
"The situation has become unbearable in Baghdad because of the bombings and threats of kidnapping and murder by gangs, therefore we had no choice but to migrate to Arbil," he added.
Ankawa, inhabited mainly by Christians in Arbil, faces strict security procedures around churches and vital facilities. The small town has also witnessed huge political activities for some Christian parties, who are seeking to obtain and achieve political and civil rights in Kurdistan for Christians.
Najeeb Yunnan, an activist in the Assyrian Democratic party in Arbil, told Gulf News, "Christians seek true self-autonomy in Kurdistan. Our request is legitimate and imposed by the permanent Iraqi constitution which guarantees minorities their rights. We are looking forward to running our own affairs and this is a constitutional and political right."
There are no accurate statistics about the Christian population in Kurdistan, but some estimates indicate that there are over 250,000 to 400,000.
Statistics
According to official statistics, the number of Christian families who fled from Baghdad is estimated at 2,000. Most of them now live in Ankawa, which has markets, shops and churches.
Church bells raise nostalgia and longing for Baghdad in the hearts of thousands of Christians, as their memories of painful times continue to linger.
Kathy Benjamin, a university student in Arbil, told Gulf News, "The security situation in Arbil is exceptionally peaceful and we feel secure but fear itself has been transferred to Ankawa by Christians who have fled from the city of fear, Baghdad.
"We have heard a lot of tragic stories about what happens there and this sentiment of panic and concern now lives in the hearts of the people in Ankawa."
