Young Iraqi Christian Refugee Forgives ISIS for Displacing Family, Hopes for a Future Without Wars
— -- A young Iraqi Christian girl, whose family has been living in a refugee camp after fleeing ISIS threats, says she forgives the terrorist group and shared her hope for the future.
“Yes I forgive them,” Myriam told ABC News “20/20” co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas, adding that “as Jesus said ‘forgive each other, love each other the way I love you,’ that is what we need to learn. Forgiveness.”
Just 10 years old, Myriam is among the thousands of Iraqi Christians who have fled their homes because of ISIS terror threats. She has been living with her family in a refugee camp after they lost their home in Qarakosh, Iraq.
“My hopes for life are for there to be no wars,” she told “20/20.” “With no wars there will be love.”
The little girl first gained international attention when a video of her comments about forgiving ISIS went viral in March. During an interview with the Arabic language TV network SAT-7, the reporter asked how she felt about ISIS, and Myriam said she would only ask God to forgive them.
Even now, after losing her home and being displaced for months, Myriam spoke of love.
“I’m going to love my sister, I’m going to love whoever is in front of me,” she told “20/20.” “When there is no love, there is no justice and justice is what satisfies.”
