Jim's Random Thoughts and Pictures

Iraq: concerns for safety of Christians over Christmas and New Year | December 20, 2011

  Iraqi Christian leaders are calling for our prayers during the Christmas and New Year period. Some fear that there will be sectarian attacks during this period, especially as the country adapts to the changed security situation following the formal withdrawal of US military forces.

A number of recent incidents, in which Christians were the victims of violence, have contributed to these fears. In these incidents, whilst Christians were the victims, the precise motives of the attackers are not clear. Typically, violence in Iraq has numerous causes, including economic interests, tribal rivalries, settling of long-standing scores and religious motives.

On 13th December a Christian couple was shot dead in Mosul whilst driving. Their two young daughters, though with them at the time, were not physically injured. On 12th December a 29-year-old man was kidnapped from his family’s store in Erbil, capital of the area administered by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). He was released in a military operation after three days in captivity. On 2nd December there were attacks on a range of businesses, many of them Christian-owned, in Dohuk province within the KRG region. The attacks were perpetrated by extremist Muslims following inflammatory messages in a mosque. The businesses attacked included alcohol stores, hair salons, massage parlours and casinos. The security services acted to prevent further attacks in some locations.

In previous years, Christmas services have been cancelled in some parts of Iraq, or have been restricted to the hours of daylight, because of security concerns.

Iraqi Christians request our prayers that:

a.  Church and other community leaders will be wise in the timing of services during the Christmas and New Year period

b.  Those affected by recent incidents will know the healing touch and comforting presence of Jesus

c.  The authorities will act decisively to provide due protection

d.  Peace, stability, justice and the clear rule of law will be established throughout the country.

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Website: www.meconcern.org