Assyrian Boy Beheaded

01 November 2006

According to the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), the Assyrian website http://www.ankawa.com/ has reported that a 14 year old Assyrian boy, Ayad Tariq, was beheaded by Muslim militants in Baqouba, Iraq on October 21.

At approximately 6:00 a.m., while Ayad was beginning his twelve hour shift of maintaining an electrical generator, a group of disguised Muslim militants approached him and asked to see his identification. According to an employee who witnessed the events, when the Muslims saw that his identification noted him as "Christian," they asked him if he was truly a "Christian sinner." Ayad replied, "Yes, I am a Christian but not a sinner." The insurgents responded that this is a "dirty Christian sinner!" They then threw him to the ground, held down his arms and legs, and shouting "Allahu Akbar!" (God is great), they beheaded him.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will work through Ayad's story and bring many of his neighbors and friends to Christ (Romans 12:14, 21). Pray that the murderers will find forgiveness in Christ as Saul the persecutor did (Acts 9:1-19).

For more information on the 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.