Iraqi Christians have announced they will forgo Easter celebrations this year in protest against President Abdul Latif Rashid's decision to remove the Chaldean Patriarch, Cardinal Louis Sako. The move, declared by the Iraq-based church on Monday, marks a significant stand against perceived political interference in religious affairs.

The dispute surrounding the removal of Cardinal Sako has ignited tensions between different factions within Iraqi politics. Divided lines are drawn between pro-Iran groups, closely aligned with Tehran-allied militias, and those opposing them amidst concerns about their increasing influence in everyday life.

The majority of Iraqi Christians, who belong to the Chaldean Catholic Church, typically observe Easter Mass ceremonies and processions annually. These gatherings traditionally take place from the Plain of Nineveh in the north to the capital, Baghdad.

President Rashid's decision last July to revoke a 2013 presidential decree recognizing Cardinal Sako as the leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church has sparked the current standoff. The decree had granted Cardinal Sako authority to administer the community's endowment. President Rashid's office defended the move, citing a lack of "constitutional or legal basis" for the decree, asserting that the president only issues appointment decrees for government institution employees.

Cardinal Sako perceived the decision as an attack against him, alleging the President of aligning with Christian MP and militia leader Rayan Al Kildani. Both Cardinal Sako and Mr. Kildani have exchanged accusations of exploiting their positions to unlawfully seize Christian-owned properties.

In response, Cardinal Sako has vacated the patriarchate seat in Baghdad, relocating to a monastery in Iraq's Kurdish region. The church, in a statement, declared the cancellation of all Easter festivities, media coverage, and the reception of government officials. Instead, Easter Sunday will be observed solely through prayers in solidarity with Cardinal Sako.

The Patriarchate reaffirmed its stance against the President's decree, denouncing it as unjust and politically motivated. It accused President Rashid of targeting peaceful Christians rather than addressing issues of corruption and restoring stolen funds to state coffers.

As Iraqi Christians stand united in protest, the cancellation of Easter festivities serves as a poignant reminder of the complex intersection between politics and religion in the region.