Despite punishingly high temperatures, dozens of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad on July 18 to protest water and electricity shortages, and to blame Turkey for reduced flow of rivers. Designated by the United Nations as one of the five countries in the world most touched by some effects of climate change, Iraq is experiencing its fourth consecutive summer of drought.
On Saturday, March 18, Fr. Marcus Shammami and Fr. John Jaddou led a group of hikers to Saugatuck, Michigan for their annual Lenten hike. The day started off with Mass being celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Douglas, Michigan, before heading to Saugatuck Dunes State Park for a 4-hour, 6.2-mile hike along Lake Michigan. While the trails were cold and snowy, it did not stop the hikers from enjoying the peacefulness of the nature around them and soaking in Jesus every step of the way.
It has been proven, repeatedly and irrefutably, that fresh air and physical exercise do wonders for children’s physical and mental health, as well as their intellect, spirit, and overall happiness and well-being. However, with technology and social media consuming the lives of children, long gone are the endless bike rides and neighborhood-wide backyard games.
Storms have no borders; dust storms show no mercy or dust, diplomacy. Dust storms over Iraq and the Middle East have become a huge problem for the countries involved as well as their citizens, impacting their health, the economy, the environment, and agriculture.
Water is life, and life exists because of water. As a chemist and also an Iraqi, the H2O molecule has a special meaning for me. Iraq, where water used to be abundant, is facing an incredible crisis.
In Iraq and the Middle East, there is a popular hobby among men to acquire and use worry beads, also called Subha, Mala’aba, Misbaha, or Tasbih. They practice its use and cherish its secrets.
This year, for the first time in its centuries-long history, the lake dried up. A combination of mismanagement by local investors, government neglect and climate change has ground down its azure shores to chunks of salt. Lake Sawa is only the latest casualty in this broad country-wide struggle with water shortages that experts say is induced by climate change, including record low rainfall and back-to-back drought. The stress on water resources is driving up competition for the precious resource among businessmen, farmers and herders, with the poorest Iraqis counting among the worst hit amid the disaster.
