USA
(MNN) — Today is the six-year anniversary of what's known as "9-11." On that day in 2001, the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New
York City and other attacks resulted in the death of
almost 3,000.
Investigation uncovered a large ring of terror cells tied to
the Islamist extremist group, Al Qaeda. Attempts to stop the ring eventually led to the war in Iraq.
Even as that war effort shadows the anniversary, Iraq's embattled Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki
believes civil war has been averted and violence has significantly dropped in Baghdad and Anbar.
That's good news on the surface. However, Christians have borne the brunt of
backlash within the country. It's been
widely reported that Christians are leaving in droves. What remains of a once bustling population is
40-percent of a community reduced to hiding underground.
Open Doors has been reaching out with the Gospel in some of
the most dangerous countries in the world, including Muslim-dominated nations
like Iraq and Iran.
This year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins September
13. The timing is uncomfortably close to 9/11 and the grief still felt throughout the United States. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day
for an entire month. It is a time when
Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their
everyday lives.
It's also a time when extremist activity is felt against the
church. Dr. Carl Moeller, President/CEO
of Open Doors USA, has visited many of these hot spots, praying with and
encouraging those who are suffering for their faith.
"The anniversary of 9/11 is a time not only for prayer
and reflection but also a time for Christians in the West to rededicate
ourselves to bringing the Gospel to those who do not have knowledge of a
loving, forgiving Lord. It's also a time to support those who know the Lord but face
imprisonment, harassment, loss of homes and churches, and even death from their
persecutors."
