Iraqi President Jalal Talabani invited the Seventh-day Adventist and other Christian churches to a formal dinner at his residence in Baghdad last month to discuss issues related to Christian citizens and their religious institutions.

Baghdad Adventist Church Pastor, Fawzi Benjamin, represented the Adventist Church during the April 26 event. There are 171 Adventists in Iraq worshiping in three churches.

In his after-dinner address to leaders of various churches, President Talabani acknowledged that the Christians were one of the founding inhabitants of Iraq.

Talabani said that Iraqi Christians are good-breed Iraqis, and among the oldest residents of Iraq for thousands of years, and they deserve all kinds of support and assistance from all the political leaders, government, and state institutions.

According to a release issued by the President's office, Talabani also affirmed the unique role of Christians in Iraq's historical and cultural heritage.

He asked them to embrace their country and their history and encouraged the Christians not to leave Iraq in spite of the difficult situation the country is passing through.

Talabani emphasized that he will do his best to lift the unjust and oppression imposed on Christians, and will work on solving their problems and fulfilling their legal demands, "We in the presidency, and also the premier, are convinced that it is necessary to defend the Christians on all levels, at the same time, we are ready to respond to all their important needs," it added quoting Talabani.

The President also stressed "the important role played by clerics in fighting the dark terrorist ideology, spreading love and peace education, and encouraging people on unity and national brotherhood."

The Christian leaders expressed some of their needs and challenges to the president. He promised to study them and follow up personally.