Christianity

Euronews: “The yard of Mar Eliya Church in the city of Irbil in Iraqi Kurdistan has been converted into a camp for Christians, more than 200 families who escaped the extremist Islamic State movement (ISIL). Christians in ever-greater number have been fleeing the northern city of Mosul, the second-largest in Iraq. Some say the country’s […]

Christianity

The Kurdish 3rd Way: Democracy is “Radical” in Northern Syria

contributors

By Karlos Zurutuza (Inter Press Service) Garbage collection is among the many duties of the Democratic Self-Management in force in the three mainly Kurdish enclaves of northern Syria. Credit: Karlos Zurutuza/IPS AMUDA, Syria, Oct 28 2014 (IPS) – There was never anything particularly remarkable about this northern town of 25,000. However, today it has become […]

Christianity

New Wave of Christian Refugees as “Islamic State” Takes Iraq’s Largest Christian Town

contributors

By Middle East Eye “Christians have fled from the largest Christian city in Iraq as the militants of the Islamic State took control. They were given a choice of death, fleeing, conversion or taxation, after IS over powered the much vaunted Kurdish peshmerga.” Middle East Eye: “Christians flee Qaraqoush in Iraq as Islamic State takes […]

Christianity

In Orgy of Destruction, IS Radicals reduce Ancient Iraqi Holy Sites To Rubble

contributors

By RFE/RL The Islamic State initially exhibited some restraint after entering northwestern Iraq in June, focusing on establishing control of the territories it held and gaining the trust of local Sunni communities. But as the self-declared caliphate has grown more comfortable in its surroundings, it has revealed its radical aims by destroying anything that conflicts […]

Christianity

The Persecution of Christians by ISIS contradicts idea of a Caliphate

contributors

By Erica C D Hunter, SOAS, University of London – via The Conversation ISIS conquests across northern Iraq have been comprehensive in recent weeks. Taking control of large parts of the region, they declared a Caliphate last month. And one group who have especially suffered at their hands are the Christians that have been a […]

Christianity

Iraq: Christians Say Terror Drove Them From Mosul

contributors

By Abdul Hamid Zebari via RFE/RL Rawan Jinan, a 25-year-old Iraqi Christian, says when she received an order on June 18 to leave Mosul within 24 hours, she could not believe her eyes. The order came in the form of a letter delivered to every Christian home by the Islamic State, formerly known as the […]

Christianity

Mosul w/out Christians for First time in 1,900 Years as Radical Fundamentalists Threaten Minorities

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole For the first time in nearly 2000 years, there are virtually no Christians in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq. The community is reported to have fled en masse after the so-called “Islamic State” (IS) of radical fundamentalists warned them that they faced the choice of converting to Islam, paying a […]

Christianity

Inside Mosul: ISIS fears Popular Uprising; Baathists cry Foul

contributors

By a Special Correspondent via Niqash.org NIQASH’s correspondent takes a walk around Mosul to see how the city has changed since extremists took it over last week. Despite masked men at checkpoints and burned out military facilities, things are strangely calm. Two hundred meters from the eastern entrance to Mosul, the Iraqi Kurdish taxi driver […]

Christianity

Pope Francis hosts Israeli, Palestinian Leaders as “Brothers”

contributors

Deborah Lutterbeck reports: “Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend a peace prayer meeting in “neutral” Vatican gardens.” Reuters: “Pope calls on Israelis, Palestinians to find “courage” for peace” The Catholic News Service reports the spiritual side of the event in more depth: “Pope, Peres, Abbas pray at Vatican” AFP […]