Christians forced out of Baghdad district: "The U.S. military is trying to stop further neighborhood purges in the Iraq capital.
By Ned Parker
Times Staff Writer
June 27, 2007
BAGHDAD — The two men knocked on Abu Salam's door on a Friday morning. He was one of the last remaining Christians on his block.
'Peace be upon you,' they said, and Abu Salam, a man in his 50s, repeated the greeting.
The pair, one fat and the other thin, spoke politely. Both were cleanshaven and wore slacks and button-down shirts.
'You are now aware the neighborhood of Muwallamin belongs to the Islamic State of Iraq,' the bigger man said. 'We have three conditions you can accept: You can pay a tax, become a Muslim or you can leave your house and we will help you take out your furniture.
'We'll let you make up your mind."
By Ned Parker
Times Staff Writer
June 27, 2007
BAGHDAD — The two men knocked on Abu Salam's door on a Friday morning. He was one of the last remaining Christians on his block.
'Peace be upon you,' they said, and Abu Salam, a man in his 50s, repeated the greeting.
The pair, one fat and the other thin, spoke politely. Both were cleanshaven and wore slacks and button-down shirts.
'You are now aware the neighborhood of Muwallamin belongs to the Islamic State of Iraq,' the bigger man said. 'We have three conditions you can accept: You can pay a tax, become a Muslim or you can leave your house and we will help you take out your furniture.
'We'll let you make up your mind."
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