Open Doors Reports Escalating Violence Against Iraqi Christians
by Allie Martin
October 9, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A sharp increase in violence is being reported against Christians in Iraq. Open Doors, a ministry that serves the persecuted Church around the world, says several believers have been abused and kidnapped, while a number of churches have been bombed or fired upon.Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors, says Christians are easy targets in the Muslim nation of Iraq since "the police and the authorities in these countries, and particularly in Iraq, are not coming from the Christian community." Also, because the Iraqi authorities have "so many other acts of violence on their minds," he notes, "the Christians get very much pushed to the back of the line when it comes to justice in these countries."
In fact, Moeller observes, police often overlook crimes committed against Christians in Muslim nations. And with the escalation in violence against Christians that was sparked by the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and backlash over the recent anti-Islamic remarks from Pope Benedict, many Christians have fled Iraq.
Still, the Open Doors spokesman notes, many believers are standing strong, despite anti-Christian persecution and violence. "This is where our brothers and sisters really need our prayers, and they need our action," he asserts.
Christians in Iraq require the support of American Christians and believers throughout the West, Moeller says. Iraq's persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ "need the help that only the Church in the West can bring, because we know them," he contends. "We remember them, and we know that their suffering is not forgotten by God."
Last month, a car bomb went off near Open Doors property in Baghdad. Although no one was hurt, Moeller says it is just one example of how the sharp rise in violence in Iraq is creating an atmosphere of persecution and intimidation for believers in that war-torn nation.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
