Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (JN 8:32)

World

Thursday, Feb 09, 2012

Gunmen Kill Iraqi Christian Outside Factory

0
By Aaron J. Leichman , Christian Post Reporter
July 27, 2009|9:14 am

A 30-year-old Iraqi Christian was shot dead Sunday, after gunmen in four cars showed up at the soft drink factory that he worked at, according to authorities.

A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, reported Sunday that the gunmen approached the factory, located half-way between Mosul and the predominantly Christian town of Talkeef, beat the factory's guard and demanded to see the facility's boss.

When Ala Bashir, the factory manager’s brother, appeared, the gunmen shot him on the spot and fled, the officer told Agence France Presse.

Though it was unclear if Bashir was killed because of his faith, the shooting comes at a particularly sensitive time for members of his nation’s faith community, which has shrunk to about half of what it was before U.S.-led forces invaded the country and toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Facing relentless violence and threats on their life, hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians have been forced to leave their homeland. The U.N. High Commission for Refugees estimates that some 250,000 to 500,000 Christians have left the country since 2003.

Earlier this month, seven Iraqi churches were bombed over the course of just 48 hours, fanning fears within the Christian community in Iraq – one of the oldest in the world.

Like us on Facebook

Many religious freedom groups have warned that if nothing is done soon, the Christian population in Iraq could disappear.

0
Top Stories

Catholic Democrats Criticize Obama for Too Broad a Contraceptive Mandate

President Obama has another hurdle facing him ...

Clergy Group Pushes Darwinism as Sound Science in 'Evolution Weekend'

More than 500 churches in ten different countries have agreed to consider this weekend whether Darwinism is compatible with Christianity, as a result of the prompting of The Clergy Letter Project, a group promoting Darwinism as sound science.

Transgender Woman: I'm Still a Great Dad and Mom

What if your husband one day decided he wanted to ...

Religious Leaders Supporting Md. Gay Marriage Bill Cherry Picked

Gay rights advocates have drawn a select group of religious leaders to support gay marriage in Maryland ahead of Friday's hearing for the "marriage equality" bill.

Santorum: Marriage 'Saved My Life,' Inspired Faith in God

After winning the GOP primary in three different ...

Crystal Cathedral to See Name Change, New Design

Crystal Cathedral, the Garden Grove, Calif., ...