Iraq Protests Spur Conversions, New Parties
02/04/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – More than a year ago in October 2019, one of Iraq’s largest protests reached its peak. Now, as Iraq looks to its next elections in October 2021, new parties emerge and Christians call for prayer for the country.
During the violent, anti-government protests, Christian ministries filled the streets, engaging with protestors, most of whom were Muslim. It was in these chaotic streets that many heard the Gospel clearly for the first time and could ask questions. In the midst of these protests, many cams to faith in Jesus. These Muslim Background Believers are now seeking to act out their faith in the upcoming elections.
New Report Condemns Turkish Airstrikes Near Assyrians
01/22/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – A new report issued by Assyrian Policy Institute showcases the plight of Assyrian Christians in Iraq struggling to survive as victims caught between Turkey and the terrorist organization PKK. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) operates primarily in southeastern Turkey, northeastern Syria and northern Iraq. As Turkey seeks to combat the PKK, they routinely order airstrikes and ground initiatives well into Iraq’s borders. It is here that Assyrians sustain serious attacks as innocent bystanders.
Official counts indicate that there were 52 airstrikes by Turkey in Assyrian-inhabited land, although the actual number is suspected to higher. Turkey, despite being a NATO member, has received international criticism for failing to take precautions to avoid civilian deaths and destruction of civilian territory. According to API, these airstrikes continue to force Assyrians off of their
Sadr Committee Explores Christian Property Expropriations
01/06/2021 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – Muqtada al-Sadr, a top Shia leader in Iraq with strong leadership connections to the PMF militias, has ordered that a committee be formed exploring complaints by Christians of illegal property expropriations. These complaints became rampant following the 2017 defeat of ISIS in the Nineveh Governorate, when liberating PMF militias began supporting demographic change in favor of Shia Muslims from other communities settling in liberated Christian areas.
Al-Sadr visited Chaldean Patriarch Sako on January 3rd and gave him documentation regarding this newly established committee. But given al-Sadr’s connections to the PMF militias, it’s not clear whether any real change helping impacted Christians can follow from the committee’s formation.
Iraq Formally Recognizes Christmas
12/17/2020 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – A bill for Iraq to formally recognize Christmas as a national holiday has unanimously passed parliament. Previously Christmas had been declared as “once-only” holidays, but this bill would make recognition permanent. The decision was reached just days after the Pope announced plans to travel to Iraq from March 5-8 next year.
This is an important step, as it is common worldwide for persecution incidents targeting Christians to increase during the Christmas and Easter season. Government recognition of these holidays as legitimate messages that the local Christian presence is also legitimate. However, it is important to not stop here.