The Big Exodus
Hussein Shobokshi

Chile, which is located in the western side of the southern tip of South America and which is far geographically and culturally from the Middle East, has become a safe haven for an increasing number of Christian Palestinians. In the capital Santiago, there are over 70,000 Christian Palestinians, representing the largest Christian Palestinian concentration in the world apart from the Palestinian territories. The Christian Palestinians have fully integrated in Chilean society to the point that two of them have been selected in the Chilean national soccer team.

The plight of Christian Palestinians is not unique. There are several glaring examples of the “big exodus” of the Christians of the Orient from their countries. Copts have arrived in large numbers in Montreal, Canada, and in Sydney, Australia, in addition to various cities in the United States. The Maronites of Lebanon have migrated to Europe, especially France, in addition to South America, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Many Greek Orthodox Christians in Jordan and Syria have migrated to various countries in the world. Many Copts and Greek Orthodox Christians have left Sudan for Europe. Recently, Baghdad and Mosul have been emptied of over 50 percent of their Christian inhabitants. Some of them have left out of fear, others voluntarily, and the rest have been forced to leave.

What is the meaning of these indicators? There is definitely a reason for the migration of the Christians from their countries, leaving behind their properties and homes. It is obvious that the environment and climate of the Middle East no longer tolerate peaceful coexistence, especially with the Christians. Otherwise, how could this continuous and big exodus be explained?

Shobokshi, writing in the pan-Arab, Arabic daily Asharq Alawsat comments on how Arab Christians are no longer welcome in their own countries. It cannot be a good thing for the region, he says. Even worse, it is a dangerous signal that the Muslim world is spinning into an increasing cycle of violence where even Muslims are not safe from extremism. Read the whole thing.