It is now widely acknowledged to be an "endangered" community. with nearly half of its members forced to flee Iraq over the past five years. As the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration & Refugee Services reported last July: "Especially critical is the plight of Iraqs minority religious communities. including Christians and Mandeans (or Sabeans). These groups. whose home has been what is now Iraq for many centuries. are literally being obliteratednot because they are fleeing generalized violence but because they are being specifically and viciously victimized by Islamic extremists and. in some cases. common criminals." As you meet with Prime Minister Nouri alMaliki tomorrow. please know that the United States is shifting its burden to the Iraqi government. It is imperative that he acknowledge and commit to the future wellbeing of Iraqs endangered religious minorities.