Tag Archives: Open Doors

Iraq Documents Christian Persecution

The Iraqi government has begun to document the persecution of Christians in areas that are under the control of the Islamic terrorist group ISIS.

The revelation from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki comes one day after the terrorists told Christians in their territory to pay a tax, convert to Islam or be killed.

“What is being done by the Daesh terrorist gang against our Christian citizens in Ninevah province, and their aggression against the churches and houses of worship in the areas under their control reveals beyond any doubt the extremist criminal and terrorist nature of this group,” al-Maliki said in a statement.  Daesh is the Arabic acronym for ISIS.

“Those people, through their crimes, are revealing their true identity and the false allegations made here and there about the existence of revolutionaries among their ranks.”

The news that the Iraqi government is tracking the abuse of Christians was welcomed by Christian persecution watchdog groups such as Open Doors.

“This is a positive first step, by which the government acknowledges that something is wrong with the way Christians are being treated in Iraq and that this needs to change. It is the first time that the government is officially investigating this, after decades of discrimination and abuse,” Henriette Kats, persecution analyst for Open Doors, stated to reporters.

“The establishment of the Islamic State (ISIS) in June 2014 has brought about a further radicalization of Iraqi society, a development that has been ongoing since the US invasion in 2003. Corruption plays an important role in the persecution of Christians as can be seen in the ransoms demanded and the illegal taking of Christian-owned houses and land.”

Iraq is listed third on Open Doors’ list of nations that persecute Christians.

North Korean Christians Say It’s Not World’s Worst Place For Christians

A ministry that works with Christians in North Korea says that those in that country who follow Christ do not believe that their country is the worst in the world for Christians.

The Reverend Eric Foley says that North Koreans actually embrace their sufferings as a means to show their love and dedication to Christ.

“If you are a Christian in a country where no Christians are suffering for Jesus you probably ought to be more concerned than if you are a Christian in a country where nearly every Christian is suffering for Jesus,” he said.  “Christians are ambassadors. If one truly understands one’s identity as an ambassador, one glories in that identity rather than grumbling about the country where one got posted.”

North Korea has been listed at number one on the Open Doors list most oppressive countries for Christians for the last 12 straight years.

North Korean Christians have told Open Doors that despite the persecution, God is moving strongly in their country.

“Of course God is at work! Of course prayers help. I am such a weak person. I hardly had any Bible knowledge, but God used me to explain the Gospel to others. Sometimes, God sent me on the road. I clothed my six-month-old baby, fastened him on the back and I walked for miles and miles and miles,” a refugee identified only as Hana told Open Doors.  “Until I saw some stranger and I knew this was the person I needed to talk to. Because of him or her God had sent me out on the road. I said what I needed to say and went home. Do you think that would be possible without God? Please, tell your friends that they need to continue to pray. God is answering their prayers.”