Alexandre Goodarzy. Kidnapped in Iraq. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback $21.95. Ebook $9.99. Available from the publisher.
When I was teaching 10th grade English several years ago, one of my honors’ students mentioned the outrages occurring in Aleppo. It intrigued me enough that I began to “do my own homework” and read more about the crisis in Syria. Although I began to include a short diary account of a teenager in Syria in my curriculum, which related the devastation and destitution facing many of the people, nothing from these news sources prepared me for what I read in Alexandre Goodarzy’s new book Kidnapped in Iraq.
Due to politics, the plight of Christians in Syria has gone largely unreported. I am blessed to live in a diocese that is “twinning” with the diocese of Latakia, so I read Goodarzy’s account regarding the terrible suffering there with particular interest.
This is much more than a history book or a polemical treatise. Goodarzy’s book is about our brothers and sisters in Christ who face atrocities with the world largely standing by or, worse yet, missing the real story.
A former history and geography teacher from France, Goodarzy was inspired to join the Christian relief efforts, despite life-threatening perils. As the leader of the SOS Chrétiens d’Orient for Syria, Goodarzy and his team developed numerous relief missions to assist Christians in places such as Syria, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Iraq, Armenia, and Jordan. Following his January 2020 kidnapping, Goodarzy spent two months in captivity reflecting on the situation there – in light of his faith. The Passion that Christians are experiencing from the barbarism of Daech and Al Nosra jihadists is retold. He also exposes countries like Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia that support these efforts.
Since Goodarzy has worked “on the ground,” he is able to tell the stories of victims firsthand, from Damascus to Aleppo, the Christian cities of Maardeh to the gates of Palmyra, and much more.
Goodarzy’s risks enabled me to develop an understanding of what is happening in this bloodbath that started off as a revolution. Readers will learn about the stories of real families, and the shocking truth of what has happened to the Church and the education system in Syria. He offers a uniquely Christian perspective and example for those who yearn to make a difference and become “warriors for peace.”
I wish that Goodarzy’s account existed when I taught 10th grade English.
Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Kidnapped in Iraq and/or to schedule an interview.