Muslims on the west side of Baghdad also expressed shock at another attack which targeted the Saint Thomas Syrian Orthodox church in the
affluent Mansour area.

"I do not think an Iraqi who would do this," said Ahmed Nazem,with his wife stood nearby still in her slippers and night gown.
 

"If it was an Iraqi then he must be completely brainwashed because I see no reason or purpose for such a horrible act."
 

The facade of Saint Thomas was completely blown away in what appeared to be a drop-and-run attack similar to the one that targeted the four other churches.
 

Scraps of red velvet drapes that used to adorn the front windows lay under heaps of concrete.
 

"People, it is only stone, we will rebuild it again," said an elderly man who identified himself as Milad while labourers around him carried out pews and rolled-up carpets from inside the church.

Grief-stricken parishioners gathered in the courtyard, where a woman crossed herself before rushing in tears towards Dina Khalil, the priest's wife. "I am fine, fine," said a tearful Khalil, who was with her husband at their home next to the church at the time of the blast.

She said she felt the whole house shake from the power of the blast which shattered all the windows.

A few blocks another church, Saint Joseph, was hit with a home-made bomb that caused minor damage to the facade.

"Muslims and Christians have been living here in harmony for hundreds of years," said Father Gabriel Shamami.

"I don't think Iraqis would do this especially during Ramadan."

Two other churches in the southern Doura district were also targeted with homemade bombs that caused some damage, according to Father Faris Toma of Saint Paul and Peter church in the same area.

Source: http://www.turkishpress.com/sections/world/ October 17 2004-
10-17