Seal of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
(Image courtesy Wikipedia)
Iraq (MNN) — The Iraq crisis and Islamic State (formerly ISIS) terrorists have reached a new low.
“For the first time in the history of Iraq, Mosul is now empty of Christians,” Patriarch Louis Sako told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.
Before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Mosul boasted a Christian population of approximately 60,000. A majority of believers had left by June 2014, but the Remnant was driven out by the Islamic State this weekend.
On Saturday, the following update was posted on the 8thirty8 Facebook page:
“The Remaining Christians in Mosul, Iraq (Ancient Ninevah) left today under threat of death from the ‘Islamic State’ terrorists. An Iraqi pastor just called and said that each Christian family departed with the clothes on their back. Their houses were spray painted with signs: ‘This House is Now Property of the Islamic State.’
“This announcement was then made over Mosque loudspeakers: ‘Today is the day you must choose to convert, pay the jizah tax, or die.’
“Mothers were not allowed to take diapers or formula. Everything was left behind. They headed for Kurdish controlled areas like the city of Erbil.”
IS terrorists issued the same ultimatum in Syria earlier this year, and it was threatened in Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013.
E3 Partners Middle East/Central Asia ministry is looking for ways to send help to the displaced Iraqi families. Click here to support their efforts financially.
Middle East governments are very strict when it comes to sending in funds, making it extremely difficult to support ministry partners in this region. Will you stand with E3 in prayer?
Pray for the Lord’s blessing upon resources and aid being sent to Iraqi families. Pray that governments will not hinder the supplies and that they will reach believers quickly. Pray that the Iraq crisis will serve to underscore the eternal hope Christ offers.
For the latest Iraq crisis updates, follow 8thirty8 on Facebook.
