Iraq--Christian Persecution in Iraq

Middle East: Iraq Country Report Last Updated: March 2003 Code: A-2, 3 (Click here for a code description.)
	(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Iraq.) List of Articles Last Updated: June 1, 2003

Religious Atmosphere: This country is dominated by Shi'ite Muslims (59.1%) and Sunni Muslims (36.1%). The Christian population is 3.3% with Catholics making up the majority.

• The Protestant church in Northern Iraq has endured numerous death threats, an assassination of a clerk at a Christian bookstore, and several attacks upon the home of the pastor. It is thought that part of the provocation for these incidents originated in Iran although perpetrated by extremist Muslims from Iraq.

• The provisional constitution of 1968 establishes Islam as the state religion.
     
• The government has brutally oppressed the Shi'ite population (the Sunni portion of the population is politically dominant) and the Kurds who live in the northern part of the country. The Assyrian Christians who also live in the North have suffered numerous injustices, including forced relocations and artillery bombardments. The Assyrians are often accused of aiding the Kurds, who are struggling to create their own state. This oppression, although negatively affecting the church isn’t per se religiously motivated.

Recent Actions:

• February 17, 2003 - A Kurdish Christian convert was shot to death at a taxi station in Zakho, northern Iraq. An Islamic extremist approached taxi driver Ziwar Muhammad Ismail and told him to deny his Christian faith. When Ziwar refused, the other man shot him in the face and chest, shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great). The assassin was pursued and captured by other taxi drivers. (Middle East Concern et al.)
     
• August 15, 2002 - An Assyrian nun, Sister Cecilia Moshi Hanna, was brutally murdered inside of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Monastery in Baghdad. Three armed men stabbed Sister Cecilia with daggers and decapitated her. The body was found the next day by other nuns. Sister Cecilia was alone at the time of the murder. (AINA)
         
• June 29, 2002 - The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has refused to allow the Assyrian Church to build a bishopric to serve the northern Iraqi provinces using several unfounded excuses. Ultimately the KDP are working to consolidate their power in the northern Iraqi provinces. (AINA)

Prisoners: There is no evidence that prisoners are being held for their Christian beliefs at this time.

• Pray for the Christians of Iraq that they may be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all. Pray that they may have the chance to serve those who continue to suffer from war and the on-going economic sanctions against Iraq.
• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

Official Contacts: No official political contacts exist via the U.S. government at this time. The northern part of the country is in the hands of two Kurdish political factions. American connections with these groups are tenuous at best.

POSTED:  March 5, 2003

ICC Articles on Iraq:

• June 1, 2003 - Prayer - Bangladesh, Colombia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan
• February 2003 - Prayer - China, India, Iraq, Sudan, Vietnam