Iraqi Christians Standing Firm Despite Harsh Conditions in Baghdad
December 13, 2007
IRAQ –Christians in Baghdad, Iraq are standing firm in their faith despite reported kidnappings, church attacks and other violence against them.
According to Christian Broadcasting Network News (CBN News), “Saddam Hussein’s regime held Islamic radicals at bay, and since his fall, Christians have been under attack by those extremists. Close to 1 million Christians have fled their homes and Iraq completely, but some believers say things are beginning to turn around.”
An Anglican priest in Iraq, Canon Andrew White, also known as the “Vicar of Baghdad,” told CBN News, extremists had killed most of the men in his parish. “The heat really turned up in the two largest Christian neighborhoods, Dora and Karada. They had bullets put through their doors, letters warning them to leave. They were told to ‘pay the Jizra Tax (Enforced Islamic tax of the Dhimmi), convert to Islam or we will kill you.’”
Even though Christians face these harsh conditions, many have decided to remain in Baghdad, and continue spreading the gospel. The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Iraq report, “We are still in Baghdad. Nobody from our church group has left. We feel like we are called to continue. We will not leave. Danger is escalating. We are in a worse situation. Because of this, pastors are starting to get together to pray. They never met before. One brother visited almost all the churches in Baghdad and encouraged them to have a weekly morning prayer meeting for Iraq. Now, about five or six denominations are gathering together every Tuesday morning.”
The CBN News report added that missionaries in Iraq had started noticing some positive changes. Even though Christians still faced major challenges, things were improving and those that had left were returning home.
General Georges Sada, an Iraqi Christian who now works with a ministry based in the United States, told CBN News that, “Yes, it was very tough, after—especially after 2004 until six months ago—it was very bad for the Christians. But I can assure you now that the churches have again opened, and the services and the worshipping is going on with great freedom. Before, there was a lot of fear—I mean four or five months ago. But now, no, there is no fear, and you hope that this will increase and that it will make peace a hundred percent everywhere.”
The Voice of the Martyrs has provided thousands of pieces of Arabic discipleship literature and Bibles to bold evangelists and persecuted believers throughout Iraq. A VOM contact added, “We thank God for our freedom and we thank God for building up the churches. Our churches are growing despite all the persecution and the pressure that we have. The main thing we need is prayer, Bibles and Christian literature. This will build up our faith. Since, for now, nobody can come into the country, we are asking you to send Bibles and CDs. We will use them until God will change things and we can see some of the pastors and leaders come to Iraq.”
Pray for the safety of Christians in Iraq. Ask God to protect their families in the midst of great danger. Pray their incredible testimonies will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.
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