The churches and their congregations in Basra in the south of Iraq are a precious reminder of the long trajectory of Christianity in southern Mesopotamia that is still continuing today. The overall situation in the area is still very fragile, but offers a glimmer of potential hope for the future. Like the two rivers that flow through the Mesopotamian heartland, hopefully both Christianity and Islam will continue to function side by side in Basra, and throughout Iraq. (continue…)