Christians of Iraq

Contact	Links	Historical articles	Historical pictures	Photos of Bombed Churches	Home  Only this link has access to all News articles

Updated list of Opression and Murders of the Assyrians in Iraq Not reported by the International Press

Translation From English

<

---- Silencing Ancient Echoes: Iraq's Christians By Chuck Colson www.breakpoint.org Not surprisingly, the oldest Christian communities in the world are found in the Middle East. From Iraq through Egypt, there are Christians, many of whose ancestors were converted by the Apostles themselves. Some of them still pray in Aramaic, the language of Jesus. Yet, if trends continue, many of these communities will become distant memories within our lifetimes. The community in most danger is the one in Iraq. A recent New York Times article described the newest dangers faced by Iraq’s already-shrinking Christian population. A 1987 Iraqi census put the number of Christians at 1.4 million. Today, the number is estimated at between 600 and 800 thousand. As the Times puts it, during Saddam’s reign, Iraq’s Christians “for the most part coexisted peacefully with Muslims.” They formed a disproportionate part of Iraq’s business and intellectual elite. The Christian exodus from Iraq began during the sanctions imposed after the first Gulf War, but the events of the past few years have turned that stream into a torrent. That’s because, as Lawrence Kaplan of the New Republic put it, “Sunni, Shia, and Kurd[s] may agree on little else, but all have made sport of brutalizing their Christian neighbors.” Since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, “Christians have been subjected to a steady stream of church bombings, assassinations, kidnappings and threatening letters slipped under their doors.” In the Shiite city of Basra, “Christian women . . . often wear Muslim head scarves [in order] to avoid harassment from religious zealots trying to impose a strict Islamic dress code.” While the furor over Pope Benedict’s recent comments about Islam have died down elsewhere, in Iraq they still are cited as a pretext for yet more violence against Christians. As a result, those Christians who can get out are leaving as fast as they can pack. As one Christian told the Times, “we cannot practice our rituals and we cannot bring food home to our families . . . that’s why I want to leave the country.” None of this, I suppose, should come as a surprise. Shortly after the fall of Baghdad, Nina Shea of Freedom House called for the creation of “safe havens” for Iraq’s Christians. Without them, Shea warned, there would be no future for Iraq’s indigenous Christian population. Sadly, events are proving her prophetic. This upcoming Sunday is the “International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.” Its goals are to “increase awareness of the persecuted Church worldwide” and “promote ongoing and appropriate action on behalf of the persecuted Church.” I can tell you about the plight of Iraqi Christians and others who suffer because for their faith. And we can and must pray for them. But there’s something else we need to do, and that’s to take “appropriate action” on their behalf. That’s why I want you to visit the links below to learn more about the plight of persecuted Christians and, more importantly, what you can do to help them. Standing by while the voices that most directly link us to our Lord are silenced is not an option. For Further Reading and Information Today’s BreakPoint offer: This Persecution Map illustrates key areas where persecution of believers occurs, and this four-page list of Critical Prayer Requests for Strategic Nations is great for families and churches to focus their prayer for the persecuted. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required.) Learn more about the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, November 12, 2006. Michael Luo, “Iraq’s Christians Flee as Extremist Threat Worsens,” New York Times, 17 October 2006. (Archived article; costs $4.95 to retrieve.) Ben Witherington, “Omar’s Story—The Tale of a Shiite Christian,” Ben Witherington’s blog, 9 May 2006. Ben Witherington, ìChristians Flee from Iraq to Moslem Countries,î Ben Witherington’s blog, 17 October 2006. Doug Bandow “Christians in the Crossfire,” American Conservative, 23 October 2006. Lawrence F. Kaplan, “Crossing Over: Corssing Over: The Plight of Iraqi Christians ” New Republic, 23 March 2006. (Available to subscribers only.) BreakPoint Commentary No. 041028, “‘Canaries in the Middle Eastern Coalmine’: Saving Iraq’s Christians.” BreakPoint Commentary No. 060817, “The Dangers of Being Christian: Religious Freedom in the Islamic World.” BreakPoint Commentary No. 060815, " “One-Way Sympathy: Christians in the Muslim World.” BreakPoint Commentary No. 050819 Shattering Nineveh: The Fate of Iraqi Christians BreakPoint Commentary No. 060919," “Proving His Point: The Pope’s Speech.” BreakPoint Commentary No. 051110, “Our Particular Concern: Praying for the Persecuted Church.” BreakPoint Commentary No. 061016, " “Save Us from the Time of Trial: Religious Persecution.” Kristin Wright, “Standing with the Persecuted Church,” BreakPoint Online, 6 November 2003. Kristin Wright, ,ìBeleaguered Remnant: Assyrian Christians in Iraq,î” BreakPoint WorldView, May 2005.

Who are the Christians of Iraq? Tishrin II = November Silencing Ancient Echoes: Iraq's Christians Nov. 9, 06 The Non-reaction to the Murder of an Assyrian Priest Nov. 9, 06 Iraqi bishop calls for Christian gathering: unite to be counted and more secure Nov. 8, 06 Proud Assyrian Survivor Can Move on Nov. 7, 06 Assyrian Genocide Victims Discovered In Turkey: Report Nov. 6, 06 Lecture by DR. DONNY GEORGE former Chairman, Board of Antiquities, Iraq Nov. 6, 06 Assyrian areas in northern Iraq as shown in a map by Newsweek Nov. 3, 06 Church calls for action over gruesome violence toward Christians in Iraq Nov. 2, 06 Evidence of Turkey's World War One Massacres Covered up by the Military” Nov. 2, 06 This Was Genocide, But Armenians Were Not Its Only Victims Nov. 1, 06 Assyrian UN Delegation Calls for Autonomous Region for Iraq's Assyrians Nov. 1, 06 Tishrin 1 = October The West Turns a Blind Eye to the Ethnic Cleansing of Christians in Iraq Oct. 31, 06 U.S. Bishops Call for Protection of Iraq's Christians Oct. 30, 06 Hood celebrates 150th anniversary of Assyrian reliefs Oct. 30, 06 Assyrian History On Display Oct. 29, 06 Freedom of Religion Key for All in Iraq Oct. 29, 06 14 years young Assyrian boy decapitated in Iraq Oct. 29, 06 Assyrian civic club marks 60 years Oct. 27, 06 From Discovery to Dartmouth: The Assyrian Reliefs Oct. 27, 06 Sargis Aghajan: A Saint or a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing? Oct. 26, 06 Priest Sends SOS for Christians in Iraq; Faithful Flee, Churches Close in Baghdad Oct. 25, 06 The World Must Speak About the ongoing Assyrian Genocide Oct. 25, 06 Iraqi Militias Conducting Ethnic Cleansing Campaign Against Baghdad's Christians Oct. 23, 06 Pope Urges World Leaders to Help Iraqis Rebuild Troubled Nation Oct. 23, 06 Iraq's Christian Assyrians: Living in Fear Oct. 23, 06 Assyrians built aqueducts to bring water to Nineveh predating Romans by 400 years. Oct. 23, 06 Hope for Assyrian Christians 'Rapidly Dying,' Says Former Iraqi Minister Oct. 20, 06 Christians Live in Fear of Death Squads in Iraq Oct. 20, 06 Congresswoman Esho's Letter to Rice about the endengered Christians of Iraq Oct. 20, 06 IRAQ: CHRISTIANS LIVE IN FEAR Oct. 20, 06 Iraq: Christian Minority Seeks Haven From Violence Oct. 19, 06 GEORGIA: Will mob halt Assyrian Catholic centre? Oct. 19, 06 Ancient ruins inspire hope in U.S. forces in Pre-Christian Iraq . Oct. 18, 06 Christian Migration From Mid-East At Heart of Patriarchs' Meeting Oct. 19, 06 Assyrian language Lecture and Seminar in London Oct. 19, 06 Save Us from the Time of Trial Oct. 18, 06 Persecution of non-Muslims increases in Iraq. Oct. 18, 06 In Iraq, a New Level of Threat to Christians Oct. 17, 06 World Has Forgotten Iraqi Christians: Chaldean Patriarch Oct. 16, 06 Some 500 people attend funeral of beheaded priest Oct. 16, 06 Christians are vacating land of Christ Oct. 15, 06 Threats force Iraqi Christians to flee to Syria Oct. 15, 06 Turkey starts to admit it has an ‘Armenian Question’ Oct. 15, 06 Some Turks change religion as way to West Oct. 14, 06 Beleaguered Yazidi find peace high in Iraq's northern mountains Oct. 14, 06 Beheading of Iraqi priest latest attack on minorities Oct. 14, 06 Kurdish Militia Attacks Assyrian TV Station in North Iraq Oct. 13, 06 Iraq priest 'killed over pope's speech' Oct. 13, 06 More than 35,000 Christians have fled violence in Iraq Oct. 13, 06 Prominent Assyrian Priest Beheaded Oct. 12, 06 Father Paulos Iskandar Killed by Terrorist Abductors Oct. 12, 06 Who Will Remember the Assyrian Genocide? Oct. 11, 06 Abducted and raped, young Christian women and girls are driven to suicide in Iraq Oct. 11, 06 Was the genocide of the Ottoman Empire in1915 only against the Armenians, or included Assyrians also? Oct. 10, 06 Traditional Assyrian Costumes Oct. 9, 06 Organisation and Substitutionism Oct. 8, 06 A Nation Without a Country Oct. 8, 06 Swedish authorities honor Malfono Gabriel Afram Oct. 7, 06 Christian husband and wife converts from Islam released Oct. 7, 06 Terror campaign targets Christians of Iraq Oct. 6, 06 In 20 years, there will be no more Christians in Iraq' Oct. 5, 06 \FIRST-PERSON: Assyrian haircut Oct. 5, 06 The Assyrians: Ignored Among Fears of an Iraqi Civil War Oct. 4, 06 Two Iranian Christians arrested in Mashad. Oct. 4, 06 Car Bombs at the Christian Assyrian shopping district in Baghdad killed 16, injured 87 Oct. 4, 06 30 Christian families receive threats to leave Mosul - Iraq Oct. 2, 06 Mr. Sarkis Aghajan, the Finance Minister of the Kurdistan regional Government Asks for more rights for the Assyrians Oct. 2, 06 Ealool = September National Council of Churches Ignores Christian Suffering Sept. 29, 06 Violence Against Christians Grows in Iraq Sept. 29, 06 EP Report Drops Genocide Clause, Calls for Investigation Sept. 28, 06 Nenveh Essa, 21, studied accounting, Dies in Car Accident Sept. 27, 06 Kurds and Arabs Vie for Control of Mosul Sept. 26, 06 Iraq ensnared in quest to escape Arab politics Sept. 25, 06 Two Assyrian churches attacked in Mosul and Baghdad Sept. 25, 06 Turkey invites Assyrian and Armenian dignitaries to meal that breaks daily Muslim fast. Sep. 25, 06 Dutch Lawmaker May Remove Assyrian Genocide Reference in Report on Turkey Sept. 25, 06 Tense Time for Christians in Iraq Sep. 24, 06 Assyrian Church Bombed in Baghdad; 2 Dead, 17 Injured Sept. 24, 06 Assyrian Police Officer Murdered in Mosul Sept. 24, 06 Assyrian-Swedish journalist investigates the arrest of the Assyrian-Georgian General Sept. 21, 06 Muslims react to the speech of Pope Benedict XVI Sept. 20, 06 Iraq: International Religious Freedom Report 2006 Sept. 19, 06 Fear Strikes Iraq's Christians Over Pope Words Sept. 19, 06 Assyrian Cultural Day Sept. 19, 06 When Iraqi Christians Vanish, Locals Pay the Price Sept. 18, 06 Dozens Dead in Kirkuk Bombings Sept. 17, 06 Book Exhibit in Baghdeda Iraq Sept. 17, 06 Second Assyrian Christian Killed in Retaliation for Pope's Remarks Sept. 17, 06 The Hellenic, Armenian and Assyrian Communities in the Late Ottoman Empire and Modern Turkey Sept. 16, 06 'I Felt God Was With Me,' Says Released Assyrian Priest' Sept. 15, 06 Two Assyrians Killed in Separate Terrorist Attacks Sept. 15, 06 Rosie Malek - Yonan Documentary, My Assyrian Nation on the Edge Sept. 14, 06 Two Assyrians Killed in Separate Terrorist Attacks Sept. 14, 06 Kirkuk: The potential spark for civil war Sept. 14, 06 Sabri Atman in Sweden Sept. 14, 06 Assyrian Candidate Gains Republican Endorsement Sept. 13, 06 Priest Abducted in Baghdad Was Threatened and Tortured Sept. 13, 06 Assyrians Accuse Kurdish Authorities of Discrimination Sept. 12, 06 Priest Kidnapped in Baghdad Released Sept. 12, 06 Turkey's refusal to acknowledge the Assyrian, Armenian genocide Sept. 10, 06 Rosie Malek - Younan; The Assyrian Woman of the Year Sept. 10, 06 Lebanese Bishops Chastise Hizbullah, Back Siniora Sept. 6, 06 A Feast Awaits At Annual Assyrian Festival Sept. 6, 06 Prominent Assyrian Christian Leaves Iraq. Says Work Situation 'Intolerable' Sept. 5, 06 Turkey's terror against Christians in Midyat Sept. 4, 06 Syria; Sanctuary for Iraq's Displaced Christians Sept. 3, 06 August = Tubbakh Assyrians honour the Lt General Sir Stanley Savige KBE CB DSO MC ED August 31,06 Assyrian archaeologist resigns amid threats by the fundamentalists August 31, 06 Assyrians: from Bebar Khan to Saddam Hussein (a new book) August 28, 06 Donny George of Iraq's State Board of Antiquity, Heritage Flees to Syria August 28, 06 A New Film by Lina Yakubova August 27, 06 PM Maliki urges tribal unity in Iraq August 27, 06 Lebanese Bishops Appeal for a Stop to the Christian Exodus August 24, 06 Iraqi Christians Caught in the Crossfire August 23, 06 Assyrian Universal Alliance, Australian Chapter Meeting in Canberra August 23, 06 Iraqi Christians on Edge After Priest's Kidnapping August 23, 06 The Secrets Of Mustafa Barzani In KGB Archives August 23, 06 Pope urges release of priest in Iraq August 20, 06 Heading Toward an (Inevitable) War in Kirkuk August 20, 06 TWO CHALDEAN PRIESTS KIDNAPPED IN BAGHDAD August 18, 06 Confiscation of the Assyrian villages by the Kurds August 18, 06 The Kurdish Democratic Experiment: an Assyrian Tragedy August 17, 06 Assyrians Experience Slow Cultural Revival In Southeastern Turkey August 17, 06 Lebanese Bishops Call for Single National Leadership August 16, 06 Lebanese Cardinal Concerned About Christian Exodus August 16, 06 In Turkey non Muslims are listed as Foreigners August 14, 06 Murdered Assyrians in Iraq in August August 14, 06 Why Can't A Christian Be More Like A Muslim? Revisited August 13, 06 Peter W. Galbraith's 'The End of Iraq' August 12, 06 Babylon the Great lives August 12, 06 We Don't Want a Proxy War in Lebanon:' Cardinal Sfeir August 10, 06 Go-ahead for dam that will drown history August 9, 06 750,000 Christians Caught in Middle East Crossfire August 8, 06 Arabist Indoctrination At Middlebury College August 8, 06 Middle-Eastern conference: from worship to ‘reunion’ August 8, 06 Hezbollah Uses Christian Villages As Shields in Missile Attacks August 7, 06 Family Pays Ransom in Iraqi Kidnapping August 7, 06 Johanns meets with Iraqi leaders to help rebuild agriculture August 6, 06 Half of all Christians have fled Iraq since 2003, says Baghdad bishop August 4, 06 Christian Persecution Groups Express Concerns for Mideast Believers August 3, 06 Assyrians and Australians will honour Captain Savige for his world war one help August 3, 06 Nuri Kino Wins Swedish Award of: good role model for the youth Aug 1, 06   Archives June, July 06 March April May 06 January- February 06