Family Claims Canadian Killed For His Faith

22 September 2004

^{Munir Toma}

Two Canadians were chased down last week, beaten and shot in Baghdad because of their Christian faith, according to family members in Iraq and Canada. Official accounts initially believed the deaths of Canadians Andrew Shmakov and Munir Toma were the results of a car bombing on September 14 which killed forty-seven people. However, relatives of Toma in Baghdad gave quite a different account, saying that Toma had been shot seventeen times. It has been reported that Toma's wife, Baydah, and six-year-old daughter Rita are in hiding in Iraq, fearing for their lives.

Toma and Shmakov had established a construction company as part of the reconstruction of Iraq. According to family members in Iraq, as they left their office, gunmen attacked them. They escaped in their car, but four other cars followed, ambushed them and killed them.

While violence is a part of life in Iraq in recent months, Christians have frequently been targeted by militant Muslims because of their faith. Pray for peace of mind and spirit for Christians throughout Iraq during this time of upheaval. Pray also for safety of Baydah and Rita. Pray for the Toma family as they mourn their loss.

For more information on troubles facing the Iraqi Church, click here.

Iraq

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC is partnering to teach and equip persecuted Christian women sewing skills so that they can provide a sustainable source of income for their families and give them the opportunity to be witnesses for Christ through their new businesses. VOMC partners to provide biblical training on discipleship and the theology of persecution to Muslim Background Believers.

Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Equipping the Saints, Underground Church
Country Information
Population
41,266,109 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Arab (75-80), Kurdish (15-20), other (5)

Religion (%)
Islam (95-98), Christianity (1), other (1-4)

Leader
President Latif Rashid (2022)

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.