Release International

Several Christians have been killed in Mosul as campaigning for parliamentary elections this weekend gathers pace.

Iraqi Christians have appealed to Release's contacts for prayer following a spate of fatal shootings and kidnappings in and around this troubled northern city as the nation prepares to go to the polls on March 7.

On February 16, Zayia Thomas, an engineering student from Mosul University, was shot dead in the al-Tahir district of Mosul. Fellow student, Ramsin Shmael, 22, was injured in the same attack. The following day, 20-year-old student teacher Wissam Georges was killed. And two shopkeepers – Fatukhi Munir and Rayan Salem Elias – were also reported murdered. Reuters news agency reports that eight Christians were killed in Mosul in less than a fortnight last month.

Meanwhile, one Christian was abducted on February 13 and two others on February 16, according to advocacy group Middle East Concern. While kidnappings are quite common in Iraq, Christians have been specifically targeted by extremists who appear determined to drive believers out of cities such as Mosul.

Some sources say Iraqi Christians are interpreting these attacks as an attempt to dissuade them from voting on Sunday. Many Christian leaders are urging their community to stand firm, exercise their right to vote and secure more seats in Parliament. Five of the 325 seats in Iraqi's Council of Representatives are ringfenced for Iraqi Christians.

(Sources: Agence France Presse, AsiaNews, Assyrian International News Agency, CNA, International Christian Concern, Middle East Concern, Reuters)

• Pray that Christians across Iraq will know God is their stronghold (Psalm 18:2).
• Pray that peace will be restored in the run-up to the elections. Pray that the ballot will lead to fair representation for Iraq's religious minorities, including Christians.

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