Churches Bombed But No Injuries

20 October 2004

^{Iraqis assess damage after church bombing.
Photo from Assist News}

In the early morning of Saturday, October 16, homemade bombs exploded in five separate churches in Baghdad. Because of the early hour, there were no injuries, but the coordinated attack was clearly aimed at intimidating Iraq's Christian community.

All five buildings suffered exterior damage, some extensive. The churches attacked were St. Joseph Church in the Nafaq Al-Shurta area, St. Jacob's Church and St. George's Church in the Doura neighborhood, the Church of Rome in the Karrada neighborhood and St.Thomas Church in the Mansour area.

This is only the latest attack on Iraqi Christians, who have been fleeing the country in increasing numbers. Some report that 45,000 Christians have left Iraq in the past few months.

Praise God that no one was injured in the blasts. Pray for emotional strength for Iraqi Christians facing intimidation and threats from militant Islamic groups. Pray for rebuilding efforts in Iraq, that peace and stability will come to this devastated nation.

For more information on persecution facing Christians in Iraq, 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.