Burning of mostly Christian-owned shops in Zakho shocked residents of Iraq's Kurdish region. Photo: YouTube image from Compass Direct News
Christian-owned businesses were burned to the ground earlier this month as unprecedented violence erupted against Christians in Iraq's Kurdish region. Local sources say the attacks were organized by a pro-Islamic political party. The attackers waved flags that said, "There Is No God but Allah," according to Ankawa News.
A sermon by a mullah claiming there was moral corruption in the northern town of Zakho seemed to be the trigger for a group of young Muslim men to attack the businesses, according to the news outlet. The following day, two more Christian neighbourhoods were attacked with businesses being burned, and the attacks, reportedly organized by the Kurdistan Islamic Union party, continued in other nearby regions for several days as well.
Pray that God will sustain and encourage believers who lost property in these attacks. Pray for lasting peace in this area. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among believers in Iraq (Acts 4:29-31).
By working with credible ministry partners, VOMC is providing persecuted Christian women sewing skills training so they can receive a sustainable source of income and thus adequately support their families. In addition, these women are able to seize the opportunities presented to them through their new businesses by serving as effective witnesses for Christ.
Ethnicity (%) Arab (75-80), Kurdish (15-20), Turkoman, Assyrian, and other (5)
Religion (%) Islam (95-98), Christianity (1), other (1-4)
Leader President Barham Salih (2018)
Government type Federal parliamentary republic Legal system Mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Iraq
Pray for the protection of the remaining believers in Iraq during this time of upheaval and danger. May many churches and Christian relief organizations seize the opportunity to provide greatly needed assistance and ministry to the numerous suffering people of this war-torn nation. As God’s work of healing, provision and restoration takes place, pray that a stable democratic government will be established.
Those caught evangelizing could face blasphemy charges. Photo: VOMC
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Some of the devastation from the conflict in Iraq. Photo: World Watch Monitor
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Some of the devastation from the conflict in Iraq. Photo: World Watch Monitor
On January 20th, four workers affiliated with the French organization, SOS Chretiens d'Orient, went missing while in Baghdad. Despite repeated attempts to contact them, no response has been received to date. At last report
Hundreds of Iraqi Christian families had recently returned to their hometown of Teleskuf, after being displaced for years due to attacks perpetrated by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group, only to be forced to flee their northern Iraq community all over again. These families hav
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