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Iraq

• Court Orders Christian Family to Convert to Islam

  

  A Christian woman is presently facing a difficult ruling after being ordered by an Iraqi court to convert to Islam. The decision is based on the 1959 Personal Status Law, which mandates that children must adopt Islam if one of their parents converts to the Muslim faith.

• Church Leader Faces Accusations of Blasphemy

  

  Bahzad Mziri, the bishop of an Anabaptist church in the Kurdistan city of Duhok, is facing threats of blasphemy charges after social media comments were published. Considered by some Iraqi Facebook recipients to be offensive to Islam, the post comparing Jesus to the Islamic prophet Mohammed was made in response to insulting statements published online earlier by a Muslim leader. The post on the bishop's Facebook account was reposted on February 16th by Muslims intent on inciting anger.

• Oppression of Iraqi Believers

  

  A recent report from the American Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East highlights the desperate circumstances facing many Iraqi Christians – both those residing in their country as well as those living as refugees. Over the past two decades, 80 percent of the nation's Christians, which amounts to over one million people, have left the country and chosen not to return.

• Aid Workers Released

  

  On January 20th, four humanitarian aid workers from the French organization, SOS Chretiens d'Orient, went missing while in Baghdad. Details were limited, providing no information on those responsible nor the reasons behind the disappearance. For a previously posted report on this situation, go to this report.

• Four Foreign Aid Workers Missing

  

  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, there have been no ransom demands made nor any further information on their whereabouts.

• Families Again Forced to Flee Hometown

  

  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 have since relocated to Alqosh and other Christian villages in the Nineveh Plains where they are now seeking refuge from the internal conflict that's presently taking place -- this time, between two of the country's governmental factions.

• Abducted Child Reunited with Family!

  
  Christina, finally reunited with her family! (Her elated mother, Ayda, is in the backseat.)
  Photo: Twitter @thestevennabil
  

  A tragic story that began three years ago now has a miraculously happy ending. You may recall hearing about Christina Abada, the three-year-old girl in Iraq who was kidnapped right out of her mother's arms by ISIS terrorists in August 2014. After three years of separation, and her family fearing the worst, Christina was reunited with her parents and siblings on June 9th. (In addition to the original report being published in a previous issue of VOM Canada's monthly publication, a subsequent prayer alert was posted as a reminder to continue praying for Christina's protection and safe return to her family.)

• The Cross Returns to the Nineveh Plain

  
  Another newly erected cross was
  placed on the roof of a
  church in Qaraqosh.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  There were tears, praying and singing as the cross -- deemed illegal by ISIS -- returned to the Christian villages in Iraq's Nineveh Plain. News continues to emerge of villages being reclaimed from ISIS, and signs of the terrorists' previously committed destruction become apparent.

  As soon as it was remotely safe, priests were escorted back to their villages by car. In Christian villages like Karamles and Qaraqosh -- half an hour's drive east of Mosul -- they were among the first non-combatants to return to villages liberated from ISIS occupation.

  Father Thabet, who lives with his congregation within a complex for internally displaced people in Erbil, brought a cross about the size of a man with him when he returned to his home village of Karamles.

  "I am so happy I can do this. I'm smiling from cheek to cheek, and I weep tears of joy at the same time. This is the trip I have been praying for...two years now," he said. The Christian leader climbed Barbara Hill, next to his village, and planted a cross covered with flowers firmly into the ground in an area overlooking Karamles.

  ISIS conquered the Nineveh Plain -- including Iraq's second city of Mosul and many Christian villages surrounding it -- in 2014. Tens of thousands of Christian families had to run for their lives. The battle for Mosul is still being fought, but large Christian settlements surrounding Mosul, like Karamles and Qaraqosh, are thankfully already liberated. It is expected that it will take some time before families can start returning to their villages close to Mosul. Most of them will wait for Mosul itself to be liberated and for ISIS to be driven out completely.

  Praise God for this opportunity, making it possible for these followers of Christ to return home. Continue to pray for the protection of the country's civilians as ISIS becomes more desperate. Ask that the city of Mosul and all surrounding villages will soon be liberated and made safe so that many more people will have the opportunity to return home and rebuild their communities. May the name of Jesus be proclaimed all over Iraq so that His church will not only recover from the aftermath of severe persecution but may also flourish, grow strong, and become firmly united together in Him.

• Family Longs for Return of Kidnapped Child

  
  Christine's photo on the wall of
  her family's place of refuge.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  During a "medical check-up" in the northeastern Iraqi town of Qaraqosh, ISIS militants took notice of Ayda Abada's three-year-old daughter Christine. Suddenly they snatched the child out of her mother's arms and gave the crying girl to a bearded fighter. This story was previously reported in a VOMC-produced video documentary which can be found here.

  Two years later, Christine is still missing. Her distraught loved ones, who now live in an Erbil camp for displaced people, continue to suffer sleepless nights and unimaginable fears over her welfare. On the wall of their cabin, they have placed a low-resolution photo of Christine that her brother happened to find on Facebook. The photo had been taken during the time Christine was away from the family.

  Christine's mother, Ayda, forces herself to smile when she speaks. Yet her eyes convey a deep sadness that goes beyond expressed words. "We heard that Christine is living with one of the Christian women kidnapped by ISIS. The woman was forced into 'marriage' with an ISIS fighter and somehow managed to take our Christine under her care."

  Ayda's days are filled with uncertainty. "Sometimes I fear that my Christine (will) grow older without me and that I will never see her again." She looks down to fight a tear, but this heartbroken mother doesn't want to give up hope. As long as her daughter is in Mosul, Ayda and the rest of the family will not leave Iraq. She will not rest until her little girl is safely back in her arms. "Without her, it's like part of our heart is missing. We are not complete without her."

  Please uphold Ayda and her family during this time of uncertainty. Pray that each member will experience God's comfort and encouragement, knowing that He is able to lovingly watch over little Christine. May those holding the child hostage sense a strong conviction to safely return Christine to her family. In fact, let's remember all of the Middle Eastern children/loved ones who have been wrongfully abducted by militants, praying that the estranged families will be miraculously reunited -- giving God praise for His divine intervention. Intercede for the abductors, that they will discover the reality and love of Jesus and, as a result, turn from their sinful ways.

• One Year Since Islamic State Capture of Mosul

  Many displaced Christians still residing in refugee camps have no place to call home.

  When Islamic State, referred to as ISIS by many major news sources, captured the Mosul area about a year ago, Christians were given three choices: 1) convert to Islam, 2) abandon their property and leave the city, or 3) be killed. In keeping with their threats, the members of this notorious militant group later attacked Christian villages and towns within the surrounding areas of the Nineveh Plain, the ancestral home of thousands of believers and other minority groups. As a result, multitudes were forced to flee their communities, seeking refuge and safety in Kurdish-controlled areas and neighbouring countries.

  These displaced believers have lost their homes, property, belongings and, unfortunately, any hope for a future in Iraq. The majority are presently living under difficult conditions within temporary settlements and refugee camps. Sadly, for some Iraqi refugees, whose family members have been abducted by ISIS, there is also the uncertainty of their missing loved ones' outcome. And for the remnant of believers remaining in Iraq, pending life-threatening danger is a constant concern.

  Despite the peril, many church leaders are doing whatever they can to improve the situation. With a desire to safeguard the Christian presence within their country, they are encouraging remaining congregation members to stay while urging Iraqi politicians to seek a solution.

  Numerous churches, monasteries and ancient holy places in the Mosul area have been confiscated, and are now being used by ISIS for other purposes. In addition, there was the widespread desecration and looting of furniture and paintings, as well as the demolition of church crosses and gravestones. Precious ancient manuscripts were also burned.

  Military action to recapture the Mosul area has not been prioritized. Plus, there is no consensus politically as to what should be done for the improvement of security or to help the remnant of Christians still remaining in Iraq. VOM Canada is partnering with reputable in-country partners in bringing needed practical aid and encouragement to these struggling believers. Join us by donating to the ministry's "Relief and Development Fund."

  Please pray that all the areas captured by ISIS will be liberated, so that the multitudes of displaced Christian refugees will be able to safely return to their homes and communities. May those held in captivity be protected and soon released. Wherever it is that these Iraqi Christians are located, ask that an outflow of God's supernatural love and grace be with them as they trust Him to meet their daily needs. Of course, we must continue interceding for the members of ISIS. Since the Lord doesn't want any member of His beloved creation to perish eternally, may His mercy and compassion be extended to these perpetrators of evil -- bringing many of them to repentance and salvation.