Key Facts WWL Ranking: 17 Leader: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Population: 30.7 million (1.3% Christian) Majority Religion: Islam Type of Government: Parliamentary democracy

The Church In Iraq

After the second Gulf War, 1991, there were approximately 850,000 Christians in Iraq. In 2003 when the third Gulf War started, the amount had decreased to 550,000 Christians. Since the invasion of the US and the UK, and the following terrorist activities, a huge number of people have left the country. Therefore we estimate that the amount of Christians in Iraq has decreased to approximately 300,000. Many of them are refugees inside Iraq (IDP's - Internal Displaced Person).

The leaders of the Assyrian church of the East and the Chaldean Catholics are desperate about the future of Christians in their country. Especially the Assyrians think that in the end all their church members will try to leave the coutnry. The main issue is the missing access to work.

Sources of Oppression and Persecution

There has been a sharp increase in terrorist activity since US troops pulled out of Iraq in June 2009. At least 17 Christians have been killed and 32 injured. In some areas kidnapping, rape and intimidation of Christians are commonplace. Church leaders are killed to instill fear into the Church. Many Christians have left the country; many others have fled their homes and taken refuge in safer areas of the coutnry. In July, seven churches in Baghdad were bombed, killing at least three Christians.

Pray for comfort and hope for the injured and bereaved.

Pray for internally displaced people, who struggle to obtain jobs, education and health care.

Ask God to break the cycle of violence in this country and bring peace.