IRAQ – Christians Fear Another Wave of Persecution

January 3, 2018

Share on

Christians in Iraq fear “another wave of persecution that will be [their] end,” despite the Iraqi government’s recent declaration of victory against Islamic State, according to a senior church leader from the southern city of Basra.

Speaking at a meeting in December 2017 on intercultural dialogue sponsored by the European Parliament, the leader requested Western politicians to lobby the Iraqi government to protect the country’s Christian minority, who are under threat from “robberies, gang rapes, torture and murder.”

Christians in Iraq fear “another wave” of persecution; pictured is an Armenian church in Basra

Describing the situation in Basra, he said that Christian experience with the Muslim community was mixed. He stated that the majority of Muslims were “moderate and … don’t care for religious fanaticism … [treating] Christians equally with dignity and respect.” He added however: “There are fanatics who say loudly in the mosques that we are blasphemers … the sons of pigs and monkeys.”

From CNEWA here

Related Countries

Iraq