There were 1 million Iraqi Christians
November 25, 2008 by DH
Filed under Mormon Middle East
Recently I’ve pointed out various articles detailing Christianity in Iraq in relation to the Iraq War and the struggles practicing/believing Christians are having in the country. I saw an article today and was amazed at that there were 1 million Iraqi Christians before the first Gulf War. This number has dwindled to less than 500,000 today as many have fled for fear of their lives. The exodus (no pun intended) accelerated after the invasion in 2003. Other points I found interesting:
The article is about a city called Tal Kaeef (12 miles North of Mosul) and mentions the fact that Arabs, Kurds, Yazidis and Christians not only live side by side but also protect and respect one another’s rights to worship as they wish.
Tal Kaeef is encircled by a defensive earthen wall erected in recent years and protected by Iraqi forces and Kurdish militia and has a very low violence level compared to most other parts of Iraq.
The following quote:
“Nasser said he wants to sell his vehicle repair shop and move his family to where many are fleeing — villages farther north and west in Nineveh province which are predominantly Christian and protected by the Kurds and even their own armed guards. Some Christian groups harbor what is probably a hopeless dream: carving out an autonomous zone in this region. ”
Christians in Iraq have been there for thousands of years but now are fearful they will have to leave for good.
Putting politics aside as to whether you agree or don’t with the war, what a shame it is that in an attempt to bring democracy to Iraq it has forced many Christians to leave. Not only this, but many Muslims and other religions are surely persecuted as well. Unfortunately a minority will not allow others to practice (whatever) religion as they wish to. Surely the act of taking away one’s free agency is something that will be taken into consideration by a perfect and just God someday.
The full article can be found here:
Some fearful Christians hope to flee Iraq
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