Post by Guadalupe on Jul 23, 2014 7:46:05 GMT -5
Some of these villages converted to Christianity under the disciples themselves and are some of the oldest Christian communities in the world. They've been Christians for nearly 2000 years. As they are leaving, ISIS militants steal their personal possessions and leave them with nothing. There are Christian organizations on the ground right now helping the Christian refugees. Please pray for the Christians and if you have a Christian relief group you donate to that's helping them, please consider giving a donation to help them.
Thousands of Christians Fleeing Northern Iraq Following ISIS' 'Convert or Die' Ultimatum
Thousands of Christians are fleeing northern Iraq and communities they have lived in for almost 2,000 years following militant group ISIS' ultimatum last week that they convert to Islam, pay a tax, or be killed for their faith.
"In my opinion this is a very grave situation. No Western leader is moving to stop such a tragedy but they offer only empty words with no actions," Dr. Munir S. Kakish, Chairman Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land, told The Christian Post in an email on Sunday. "ISIS must be stopped before it wipes out Christians from other areas."
The Independent noted that ISIS, which has taken control of the city of Mosul and much of the surrounding region, gave Christians until midday on Saturday to comply. The militants have declared the establishment of an "Islamic state" on the territory of Iraq and Syria, where they have also been active.
"We offer them three choices: Islam; the dhimma contract - involving payment of jizya; if they refuse this they will have nothing but the sword," an ISIS statement was read out at Mosul's mosques, BBC News reported.
A number of Christian leaders and persecution watchdog groups have made rallying calls for the international community to do all it can to help protect Iraq's Christians. Many are reportedly fleeing to the autonomous region of Kurdistan, which for the most part has managed to secure its borders and escape the militants' attacks.
"Christian families are on their way to Dohuk and Irbil," Patriarch Louis Sako told AFP news agency.
"For the first time in the history of Iraq, Mosul is now empty of Christians," he said.
The patriarch added that Islamists have been seen branding Christian houses with the letter "N" for "Nassarah," a term used for Christians in the Quran.
Sako estimated that as many as 60,000 Christians lived in Mosul prior to 2003 and the U.S.-led operations against dictator Saddam Hussein. By June 2014, that number had fallen to 35,000, while another 10,000 fled following ISIS' initial attacks. www.christianpost.com/news/thousands-of-christians-fleeing-northern-iraq-following-isis-convert-or-die-ultimatum-123587/
Thousands of Christians are fleeing northern Iraq and communities they have lived in for almost 2,000 years following militant group ISIS' ultimatum last week that they convert to Islam, pay a tax, or be killed for their faith.
"In my opinion this is a very grave situation. No Western leader is moving to stop such a tragedy but they offer only empty words with no actions," Dr. Munir S. Kakish, Chairman Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land, told The Christian Post in an email on Sunday. "ISIS must be stopped before it wipes out Christians from other areas."
The Independent noted that ISIS, which has taken control of the city of Mosul and much of the surrounding region, gave Christians until midday on Saturday to comply. The militants have declared the establishment of an "Islamic state" on the territory of Iraq and Syria, where they have also been active.
"We offer them three choices: Islam; the dhimma contract - involving payment of jizya; if they refuse this they will have nothing but the sword," an ISIS statement was read out at Mosul's mosques, BBC News reported.
A number of Christian leaders and persecution watchdog groups have made rallying calls for the international community to do all it can to help protect Iraq's Christians. Many are reportedly fleeing to the autonomous region of Kurdistan, which for the most part has managed to secure its borders and escape the militants' attacks.
"Christian families are on their way to Dohuk and Irbil," Patriarch Louis Sako told AFP news agency.
"For the first time in the history of Iraq, Mosul is now empty of Christians," he said.
The patriarch added that Islamists have been seen branding Christian houses with the letter "N" for "Nassarah," a term used for Christians in the Quran.
Sako estimated that as many as 60,000 Christians lived in Mosul prior to 2003 and the U.S.-led operations against dictator Saddam Hussein. By June 2014, that number had fallen to 35,000, while another 10,000 fled following ISIS' initial attacks. www.christianpost.com/news/thousands-of-christians-fleeing-northern-iraq-following-isis-convert-or-die-ultimatum-123587/