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Iraq
The land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, considered by many scholars to be the site of the Garden of Eden, forms the central passage of modern Iraq. Dominated by imperialism until its independence in 1932, the West Asian nation became known in the latter half of the 20th century for bloody ethnic clashes between its Sunni and Shiite Muslims. While a small number of Christians have inhabited the region for over 2,000 years, conflicts under Saddam Hussein—the Iran-Iraq war of 1979, the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, and international tensions over the purported stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction—have resulted in their displacement and emigration. In 2004, the country was reestablished as a democratic republic after U.S.-led forces deposed Hussein. Humanitarian and missions efforts have slowly resumed, but Christians continue to leave the country amid threats, persecution, and economic hardship.
All Articles
How Asian Artists Picture Jesus’ Birth From 1240 to Today
Through Nativity art, the Word takes on flesh across diverse Eastern cultures.
Wedding Fire Devastates Christian Community in Iraq
And other brief news stories from Christians around the world.
News
Quran Burning in Sweden Singes Muslim-World Christians
Rejecting the act of an atheist “Christian” refugee, church leaders escape the ire of protests in Iraq and Pakistan.
How Should We Then Live Among Muslims? Four Arab Christian Views
Theological advice on how Middle East believers in Jesus can best witness to their faith, keep social peace, and maintain unity.
News
Steven Curtis Chapman Ranked Alongside George Strait and Madonna
And other news briefs from Christians around the world.
5 Books About Contemporary Christian Martyrs
Chosen by Jerry Pattengale, coauthor of “The New Book of Christian Martyrs: The Heroes of Our Faith from the First Century to the 21st Century.”
News
Nicaraguan President Closes Christian Nonprofits
And other news briefs from Christians around the world.
How the Persecuted Church Wants You to Pray
Leaders in six countries explain how Christians can best support and rejoice with fellow believers suffering for their faith.
News
Christians Say Sayfo Martyrs Should Get Genocide Status
Syriac-Aramean Christians, fewer in number than similarly suffering Armenians, assert their Ottoman-era plight deserves separate recognition.
News
Is It ‘Christian’ for Europe to Welcome Refugees from Ukraine but Not Syria?
Middle Eastern and European evangelicals assess the vastly different continental response and the Bible’s teachings toward the stranger.