Koya Christians and their situation during the 1963 Haras Qawmi attack

Abstract

The Christian of Koya and Harmota are considered as one of the most important and main components of Koya city, through out history there was a strong relationship between Muslims and Christians of Koya and Harmota and there was the least problems and conflicts emerged between them. They saw each other from the eye of respect and brotherhood in a way that the religious intolerance has no effect on their relationship. They were always inseparable part of Koya's people. As a consequence, in almost all of the political events like wise the Muslims they shared in achievements and losses. Proceeding the Coup events of February 8th 1963, the Bahsists came to power, a militia force labeled as Haras Qawmi has been made out of som Arab tribes. On June 1,1963 Haras Qawmi attacked Koya and surroundings and left a lot of material and human life losses to the city. Christians of Koya were not deprived from those attacks and lootings. The village of Harmota and Christians have undergone those attacks and its people were displeased and some of them have been killed. Despite of these, all their animals and precious instruments were stolen and conqured.

This research composes of an introduction and two parts. The first part is about a brief history of Christians of Koya and Harmota. The second part deals with the Christians of Koya and Harmota during the attacks of the Haras Qawmi in 1963.