A Muslim family risked their lives to save two ancient Christian texts from destruction by the Islamic State in Iraq.
According to The Christian Post, the official press agency of the Roman Catholic Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions shared the story of how two ancient Syriac Orthodox manuscripts evaded destruction for three years while ISIS controlled the city of Mosul, Iraq.
Reportedly, ISIS has destroyed numerous cultural and religious relics in the area and has burned hundreds of Christian texts.
One family who wished to remain anonymous for their safety, however, was determined to keep the texts safe despite threat of being killed if caught.
In an interview with AsiaNews.It Father Paulos Thabit Mekko recalled the story noting that he is now temporarily in possession of the manuscripts until they can be returned to their rightful owners. The priest told Asia News that he believes that the manuscripts were stolen from the Syriac Orthodox Church of the Immaculate, a church that was demolished by ISIS.
Mekko explained, “Recently a Chaldean from Mosul contacted me saying that he had a Muslim neighbor from the time he lived in the city 20 years ago.”
He continued, “One day the man saw a lorry dump some rubbish,” Mekko explained. “He was in the area looking for some wood to cook and heat his home. Among the refuse, he found a couple of manuscripts…
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