Iraq: Searching for Hope

by Andrew White, Canon Andrew White

'Six years ago Tariq Aziz, then deputy PM of Iraq, invited me to visit the country to see the effect of sanctions. Having started to engage with the religious leaders of Iraq, I became the point of contact between the Coalition Provisional Authority and these leaders after the war. We then started the Centre for Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace, which is the foremost organisation in Iraq for engagement with religious and tribal leaders and the new Government. We work under the patronage of the Prime Minister, and we also have a strategic role in hostage negotiations.

'It is a roller coaster existence in the new Iraq. Ecstasy and despair are part of life. There again, is not salvation history a narrative of ecstasy and despair? Behind the scenes there are real people working day and night to try and ensure that this experiment of rebuilding a rogue nation works. For the people of Iraq, who knows how long it will really be before they see a difference?'

Andrew is hugely commited to the people of Iraq and his writing has a powerful immediacy. His life has been in danger several times but he keeps going in the most adverse of circumstances. Not only does he relate to those at a high level, but he has befriended orphan children in Iraq and started up a Trust for their benefit.

Genres: History, Christianity

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2003

About the author

The Reverend Canon Andrew White is often known as the Vicar of Baghdad due to his post at St. George's Church there from 2005-2014. White has worked to mediate between conflicting parties in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East, and to draw attention to the plight of persecuted people.
He is an experienced hostage negotiator.
He was CEO of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME) from 2005 to 2016.

Reviews

[Paul]

Andrew White spoke at our church and as a result, I read this book. I was very impressed with the author's perseverance staying on in Baghdad after the American invasion and the very dangerous conditions that developed. White has an incredible sense of calling and duty in serving his congregation and seeking whatever opportunities he had to promote peace as an envoy of the Anglican church. A key observation is that peace will involve the cooperation of the various religious leaders of Iraq and not simply an imposed Western-style democracy. I thought it very interesting how White worked with Moslem leaders with utter mutual respect but without compromising his own beliefs. This required wisdom.

[Rodeweeks]

This is one of a number of books I've read over the past few months focusing on Christians and general oppression in the Middle East. I love the fact that this Anglican priest were able to work together with Christians from different denominations (Chaldean Catholics, Orthodox, and Evangelical) as well as leaders in Islam. I also enjoy reading the simplified version of the ethics and rules behind the Christian idea of a just war explained at the end of the book even though it is clear that White hoped that war could be avoided completely. Most of the book, however, focused on how White was able to help the Iraqi people in small ways and his many meetings with religious and political leaders.

[Áine Niallais]

Fascinating book on Iraq. Very interesting to read a perspective in favour of the Iraq war.

[Gulo]

This book needed a better editor. If not for the more reflective sub-chapters, it would have been a series of the author name dropping, mentioning jokes he told that he thought went over well, and overall assuring the reader of his importance. Phrases like ‘the following Sunday…’ are repeatedly used with no reference date mentioned. If not for the sub-chapters, which were honestly quite good, this book would easily deserve one star.

My one takeaway quote:

“It is important that we do not assume that every conflict is religious in nature. Saddam Hussein was not a religious man, though later in years he often tried to project himself as one, and the war to oust him had no religious cause or content… Nevertheless, religion soon did raise its head in the conflict that ensued after the war.”
-A. White

[Gina]

This is a very good book. I appreciate Andrew White's heart for Iraq & it's people. His account of life on the ground in Iraq is extremely enlightening. I have gained a new perspective of Iraq & all that's transpired there due to religion & wars. I am thankful for him as well as all the other leaders in Iraq & other countries that have worked so tirelessly to contribute & fight for peace & reconciliation in the world!

[Gina]

Good book. I appreciate & thank Canon Andrew White for sharing his story of his first visits to Iraq & friendships & relationships he's been blessed with in Iraq. His selfless and tireless work has been a great thing for Iraq & it's people. This book has definitely helped me to understand the complexities of the crisis & gain insight about the people there in Iraq. I look forward to reading his other books.

[Alison]

Andrew White is not the saint he claims to be.