Call to Prayer for Christian Refugees

iddle East Concern, WEA Religious Liberty Commission 15 July 2015

VOM is distributing practical and spiritual aid.

On Saturday, July 4th, an Iraqi Franciscan priest, Fr. Dhiya Aziz, was abducted by militants in Yacoubieh, Idlib province, which is located in northwest Syria. The area is presently under the control of Jabhat al-Nusra, a terrorist group with links to al-Qaeda. Thankfully, more recent reports indicate that he has since been safely released.

However, prior to the abduction, advances by Islamic State terrorists took place in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka on June 24th. This has resulted in further mass displacement of refugees, including Assyrian Christian families who had sought refuge in the city just this past February.

Christian leaders in the Middle East are now calling for renewed and urgent prayers for peace. Some feel frustrated by what they perceive as lack of support from the church in the West. Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad recently stated, "We feel forgotten and isolated."

Please uphold our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are under mounting pressure from Islamist terrorists. Ask our Almighty God to continue strengthening His dedicated servants as they provide needed relief to the tremendous number of displaced refugees in this part of the world. In keeping with our Lord's desire for all humanity, may there be an end to the violence and bloodshed so that His love and peace can reign supreme -- not only politically but, most importantly, in the hearts of those He so lovingly created.

Syria

Country Information
Population
22,933,531(2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Arab (50), Alawite (15) Kurd (10), Levantine (10) other (15)

Religion (%)
Muslim (87), Christian (10), Druze (3)

Leader
Interim President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (January 2025)

Government type
In transition

Legal system
Mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)

Source: CIA World Factbook.
Pray for Syria
Pray that the Lord of hosts will intervene in Syria to "preserve all who love Him" and "frustrate the way of the wicked" (Psalm 145:20; Psalm 146:9). Ask that the Spirit of God will subvert the rebellion of the militant groups so the "will for peace" shall indeed prevail over "the will for war." May the Lord provide for Syria's churches, ensuring that they are adequately equipped with the necessary ministry tools, resources and workers to continue faithfully serving and ministering as lights in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).

Syria News

Pastor and Family Killed in Targeted Attack

Photo: Unsplash / Sara Calado

A pastor and several members of his family were killed in Syria on July 16th during what church officials have described as a "targeted massacre." While initial reports confirmed at least 12 fatalities, other sources indicate that more than 20 people were possibly killed, including Pastor Khaled Mazher, his parents, as well as his sisters and their children.

Read more...
Suicide Bomber Attacks Damascus Church

The Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church after the bombing.
Photo: Middle East Concern

At least 20 worshippers were killed and dozens of others wounded when a lone attacker targeted the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church near Damascus on June 22nd. Approximately 350 people were inside the church building when the assailant suddenly opened fire and then detonated a suicide vest near the entrance of the church. The resulting blast not only killed those inside the building but also several people who had been standing within the immediate vicinity.

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Islamist Commander Confiscates Land of Christians

A farmer in Syria.
Photo: UN Development Programme (cc)

The Syrian city of Ras al-Ein, which happens to be located along the country's border with Türkiye, is currently under the control of a coalition of Islamist militias associated with the Turkish-backed rebel group, the Syrian National Army (SNA). In June 2024, a SNA commander named Abdulaziz Al-Sawadi visited the St. Thomas Syriac Orthodox Church in Ras al-Ein and expressed his commitment to develop a positive relationship with the small number of Christians remaining in the area. During his visit, the commander also vowed to provide the believers protection.

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Christian Refuses to Turn Over Christian School

The Sham Legion is a group of 19
Islamist rebel groups in Syria.
Photo: Wikipedia / Qasioun News Agency (cc)

Radwan Muhammad is a Kurdish teacher and headmaster for a Christian school in the city of Afrin in northern Syria. He was ordered by the Sham Legion (Faylaq al-Sham) -- a coalition of Sunni Muslim groups -- to turn over the school building for an Islamic school. According to local sources, Radwan told them, "I will hand you the building in one case only: if Jesus Christ comes to earth again."

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