Release International

Christians in northern Iraq are said to be 'losing hope' amid fears of escalating violence in the run-up to next year's elections.

Recent kidnappings and murders in Kirkuk and Mosul have deepened the climate of 'fear, loneliness and concern' which surrounds Christians in the north of the country.

On September 3, 60-year-old businessman Salem Barjjo was found dead, a month after he was kidnapped in Mosul. Nothing has been heard of another Christian, Hikmat Sayid, who was abducted in the same city earlier this month. In both cases, kidnappers demanded huge ransoms which their families were unable to pay. There is no news either of a Christian doctor named Samir Jarjis, who disappeared in Kirkuk on August 18.

Though kidnappings are commonplace in Iraq, many commentators believe there is a concerted campaign to intimidate the Christian minority and even drive them out of cities such as Mosul. A spate of murders in Mosul last autumn prompted an exodus of Christians who fled the city in their thousands over a fortnight (Prayer Alert, October 28, 2008).

Most have since returned home to Mosul – but remain uneasy. Many fear an escalation of attacks in the lead-up to parliamentary elections, scheduled for January 16, 2010 – as extremist elements try to undermine public confidence in Iraqi security forces.

Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk says that Christians in his city are 'pessimistic'. 'We do not have the same hope that we had before,' he told the charity Aid to the Church in Need.

(Sources: AsiaNews, Christian Post, CNA)

• Ask God to protect and strengthen His church in northern Iraq.
• Pray for wisdom for Iraqi church leaders such as Archbishop Louis Sako.

Back to top