July 2017 Persecution Magazine

WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG 

JULY 2017 

PERSECU ION 

UNDER THE 

GUN IN IRAQ 

Islamic State militants used photos of Jesus 

for target practice while occupying the 

largest Christian town in Iraq: Qeraqosh. 

PERSECU ION.org 

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

Table of Contents 

In This Issue: 

FEATURE 

14 | The Fall of Qeraqosh 

For many Christians in Iraq, the fall of 

Qeraqosh was a defining moment. Over the 

course of a single night, thousands of Christians 

were forced to flee their homes as ISIS 

attacked. 

FEATURE 

16 | The Forgotten Minority 

Yazidis have been targeted for genocide, 

just like Iraqi Christians, yet the 

degree to which they are helped has 

been near to nothing. 

FEATURE 

18 | The Return 

As coalition forces have successfully 

driven Islamic State militants from 

Christian villages, many question the 

timeline and possibility of return. 

INFOGRAPHIC 

22 | 2017 Iraq Survey 

ICC created a survey that could gauge 

Christian internally displaced persons’ 

(IDPs) take on the future of Iraq. 

14 

FEATURE 

24 | ICC’s Work in Iraq 

Since ISIS launched its first attacks in 

2014, ICC has actively worked with 

partners in Iraq to bring immediate relief 

to victims of ISIS. 

Regular Features 

3 Letter from the President 

A few words from ICC’s president, 

Jeff King, on God’s master plan for the 

Middle East. 

4 World News 

A snapshot of the persecution that 

impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in 

every corner of the world. 

8 Your Dollars at Work 

Learn how your gifts are providing 

comfort, relief, Bibles, education and 

vocational training to the persecuted. 

12 Volunteers 

Learn how members of ICC’s volunteer 

teams are making an impact in their 

communities for the persecuted. 

17 

20 25 

2 PERSECU ION.org 



President’s Letter 

Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and I 

will be with you.” 

Genesis 31:3 (NLT) 

I often draw back from the mass exodus of Christians from the Middle East and think, 

“Is this all an accident, or is it part of God’s master plan?” Don’t get me wrong–I’m not 

saying that God is bringing death and destruction to His people, but rather, curious if He is 

allowing the evil of the devil’s schemes to move His children out of harm’s way. 

If you are a student of prophecy, you can peek around the corner and into the future of the 

Middle East and see that “it ain’t pretty.” There is massive destruction and war coming to 

the Middle East that will make the conflicts of the last sixty years look like skirmishes. 

When does this happen? No one knows, but the reality on the ground for Christians in Iraq 

right now is desperate and tragic. 

ISIS pushed them from their homelands where they’ve lived for two thousand years. Many 

are now streaming back to their towns that ISIS occupied and finding massive destruction. 

Our US and Iraqi staff have visited these towns (see “The Return” page 18) and have seen 

how ISIS selectively and surgically destroyed the Christian homes and churches while leaving 

the homes of their Muslim neighbors undamaged. 

Jeff King, President 

International Christian Concern 

The Word (Luke 6:22) tells us that we are blessed when we are hated and targeted by the lost and deceived for His Name. 

The Iraqi Christians definitely don’t feel blessed. They feel at the end of their rope, alone, and completely defenseless. Yet. . . the Lord says that they 

and you (if you find yourself in this situation) are blessed. 

A big part of the blessing is that our Iraqi brethren are being persecuted because they were a scarlet “J” on their chests. They suffer because as the 

world hated Him, it hates them. 

Their persecution is a sacred cross they are privileged to carry. The cross is death and pain but they know they are targeted because of the scarlet “J.” 

The rescue and rebuilding of Christian lives in Iraq is a job so massive it makes you want to give up and go on to more “solve-able” problems. 

You and I can’t rescue all, but we can rescue a few and would ask that you join us in doing just that. 

As always, your investment in His kingdom will be used effectively, efficiently, and ethically. 

I promise! 

Jeff King 

President, International Christian Concern 

PASTORS 

TRIP 

ICC is inviting missions-minded people like you 

to come with us to Egypt to see, touch, and feel 

persecution first-hand. 

For more information, visit 

www.persecution.org/pastors-trip 

or call 1-800-422-5441 


INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 

3

News 

2 

4 

6 

1 

5 

3 

“This is the 

second time that 

this church has 

been attacked.” 

Christians protesting blasphemy laws in Pakistan. 

Another Christian Falsely Accused of 

Blasphemy in Pakistan 

1 | PAKISTAN On May 3, a Christian man named Zafar 

Bhatti was issued a life sentence by a Pakistan Sessions 

Court on false blasphemy charges. The charges fell under 

section 295-C of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy 

law. The charges arose in 2012 after Bhatti was accused 

of sending blasphemous texts from his cell phone. 

However, the phone in question was not even registered 

under Bhatti’s name. 

The case itself had to be reviewed in a jail because of 

death threats against the accused. While many who are 

convicted under section 295-C face the death penalty, 

the courts gave Bhatti a life sentence in prison due to a 

lack of evidence, rather than clearing him of the charges. 

Bhatti has denied all accusations that have been levelled 

against him. 

The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement 

(CLAAS), a Christian advocacy group in Pakistan, has 

taken up Bhatti’s case and will be appealing the deci- 

sion to a higher court. 

While a representative 

from CLAAS stated 

that he believes that 

Bhatti will be released 

in the higher court proceedings, 

he acknowledged 

that it could 

take several years for 

the case to reach that 

point. 

One of the many 

issues with blasphemy 

laws is that they are 

often misused to discriminate 

against religious 

minorities and 

settle personal scores. 

In several instances, 

minorities who have 

been falsely accused 

of blasphemy have 

faced extrajudicial violence 

before the accusations 

even reached 

a courtroom. Most 

recently, in April, a 

university student 

was stripped, beaten, 

and shot by a mob of 

radical Muslims following 

unconfirmed 

reports that he posted 

blasphemous content 

online. For the sake 

of Bhatti and minority 

Christians throughout 

Pakistan, these blasphemy 

laws must be 

repealed. 

Evangelical Church Attacked Near 

Paris, France 

2 | FRANCE On Sunday, April 2, an arsonist attacked 

the Armenian Evangelical Church of Alfortville, located 

just outside of Paris, France. The pastor and his 

wife, who live in the same building that is used for 

church services, were awoken early in the morning to 

flames at the door. The attacker had lit a trash can on 

fire and placed it in front of the entrance. Thankfully, 

firefighters arrived at the scene quickly enough to prevent 

damage to the rest of the building. 

While the attack certainly could have been worse, it 

is particularly disturbing because this is the second time 

that this church has been attacked. Approximately one 

week prior, this church was targeted when people threw 

stones at the building. The pastor reported that these 

recent attacks have come as a surprise because it is 

otherwise a “quiet neighborhood.” In response to these 

violent incidents, the 

mayor of Alfortville 

and several Christian 

groups have spoken 

out to condemn the 

attack and show support 

for the church. 

Although there 

is concern over the 

attacks, the church is not 

backing down. On the 

day of the arson attack, 

the congregation continued 

with their scheduled 

worship service; they 

simply used a different 

part of the building. 




Churchgoers Injured in Campaign to Install Cameras in Churches 

3 | CHINA According to reports from multiple churches in China’s Zhejiang province, several church members have been injured, some requiring 

hospitalization, after they were beaten by Chinese authorities. The altercations occurred when churches refused to comply with an order to install 

cameras within their church buildings. These cameras are used to monitor religious activities within the churches. Authorities in this region often 

forcefully install the cameras, even sending bulldozers to demolish parts of churches that don’t comply. 

A new Chinese order requires churches to install cameras in all worship buildings so the government may monitor religious activity. 

Three Homes Burned and Eight Injured in 

Upper Egypt 

4 | EGYPT On April 13, a mob of radical Muslims burned three 

Christian homes and injured eight Christians in the Egyptian village 

of Kom El-Loufy. The mob attacked shortly after Christians from 

the village met in a local Christian’s house for a prayer service, even 

though they had the necessary permit to hold the meeting. Two of the 

victims injured during the attack were Christian women, one whose 

leg was broken and the other whose arm was broken. 

Three Arrested Following False Accusation of 

Forced Conversions 

5 | INDIA Three Christians in India have been arrested following false 

charges that they were attempting to forcibly convert Hindus. The three 

were leading a medical camp when a man submitted a formal complaint 

accusing the Christians of forced conversions. Authorities said that the 

men belonged to a group called the Indian Evangelical Team, but the 

group said that these accusations were false and denied that any conversions 

were taking place at this camp. 

Christian School Staff Members Arrested in Sudan 

6 | SUDAN In late March, authorities wrongfully arrested 12 staff members who 

work at a Christian school in Sudan, in an apparent attempt to help a Muslim business 

owner take over the school. The staff members were accused of hindering a 

Muslim business called Education Vision. Although the accused were released later 

that evening, authorities with Sudan’s infamous National Intelligence and Security 

Services (NISS) prevented other school personnel from leaving the school property 

the next morning. The staff members reportedly gathered in prayer until they were 

finally allowed to leave later that night. 

Unfortunately, the school is facing continued challenges despite the release of those 

who were arrested. Staff members have reported that affiliates of Education Vision 

continue to disrupt classes on the school’s campus. Persecution is a daily occurrence 

for Christians in Sudan as the national government strongly favors Islam above other 

minority religions. 



Christian school building in Sudan 

5

News 

2 

4 

6 

3 

1, 5 

Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama. 

Christian Candidate’s Defeat is a Win 

for Religious Discrimination 

1 | INDONESIA After a tumultuous campaign, the highly 

anticipated Election Day for governorship in Jakarta 

finally arrived in mid-April for voters in Indonesia. All 

eyes were on incumbent candidate Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja 

Purnama, a Christian of Chinese ethnicity. While polls 

originally predicted an easy win for Ahok, the tide quickly 

changed as the election got closer. 

During a speech on the campaign trail, Ahok told voters 

not to be swayed by Muslim leaders manipulating 

the Quran who were trying to convince them not to vote 

for a non-Muslim leader. Someone then posted a highly 

edited version of the speech online, making it appear as 

though Ahok was criticizing the Quran itself. In response, 

thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in protest 

against Ahok for the alleged blasphemy, with many 

calling for his imprisonment and some even calling for 

death. These false accusations ultimately helped break his 

momentum in the election. 

Had he won, Ahok 

would have represented 

a time of transition 

in Indonesia toward a 

more religiously tolerant 

society. Instead, 

conservative Islam prevailed. 

Unless politicians 

cease manipulating 

religion for the sake 

of politics, religious 

minorities in Indonesia 

will continue to suffer 

the consequences. 

However, if anything 

positive came 

from this defeat, it was 

the media coverage of 

the election results. 

Religious and secular 

media outlets alike 

recognized the role 

that religious intolerance 

played. Words 

like “sabotage” and 

“prejudice” flowed 

freely among the 

most secular of news 

sources. As the New 

York Times reported, 

“Islamic groups [used] 

religion as a political 

weapon” and the damage 

was simply too 

great. While Ahok’s 

defeat was a win for 

religious discrimination, 

this hopefully 

brought to light some 

of the underlying 

intolerance pervading 

throughout Indonesia. 

“It is becoming 

increasingly evident 

that the violence is 

religiously motivated.” 

Christians Face Fulani Violence on 

Easter Weekend 

2 | NIGERIA An unfortunate reality for minority 

Christians around the world is that Christian holidays 

often bring violent attacks. The community in Nigeria’s 

predominately Christian southern region of Kaduna 

State was no exception. During Easter weekend, Fulani 

militants attacked Asso village located in the Jema’a 

Local Government Area. 

A local bishop said that the Fulani militants began 

their assault as Christians were gathered in a church to 

celebrate Easter. At least 12 people were killed at the 

scene, with several more wounded. By the time security 

arrived, the attackers had already fled the scene. 

Shortly after the attack, the office of the local governor, 

Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, released a statement 

sending condolences and asking for people to provide 

information to the military about the militant Fulanis’ 

whereabouts. However, some have spoken out and 

criticized the local governor by saying that he offers 

impunity to the Fulanis while blaming the victims of 

the attacks. 

While the government and media have long dismissed 

Fulani violence as tribal struggles, conflicts over 

resources, and turf wars, it is becoming increasingly 

evident that this violence is religiously motivated as 

they target Christian villages. One thing that is clear 

is that Christians in Nigeria’s “Middle Belt” region are 

not receiving the necessary protection or attention to 

prevent these attacks. 




Pastor Detained for Singing “Jesus Loves You” 

3 | CHINA A Taiwanese pastor, Xu Rongzhang, was detained in April for leading his congregation in the song, “Jesus Loves You.” Authorities 

accused Pastor Xu of “illegal religious activity” for this act of worship. While he was released later that day after several hours of interrogation, 

authorities seized his phone and travel documents and held them for two days. 

Following his detention, officials warned Pastor Xu not to conduct services with more than 10 people present at a time. Pastor Xu has served 

several churches over the years and reached out to multiple political leaders, including the former vice president of Taiwan, Annette Lu, who he 

reportedly led to Christ. Unfortunately, this detention is only one piece of a larger crackdown on Christianity in China. 

Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. 

ISIS Attacks Major Egyptian Monastery 

4 | EGYPT In yet another act of aggression toward Christians in the 

Middle East, ISIS attacked a police checkpoint guarding the famous 

Saint Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula. The gunmen shot 

at the policemen from a hilltop, killing one and wounding four others. 

The gunmen fled the scene following the attack, but some of the 

attackers were also wounded in the gunfire. According to the Search 

for International Terrorist Entities (SITE) Intelligence Group, this was 

ISIS’ first attack on a monastery. It followed shortly after a major ISISaffiliated 

church bombing on Palm Sunday. Furthermore, ISIS has 

promised to increase attacks targeting Egypt’s Christians. 

Construction site of Santa Clara Church in Bekasi, Indonesia. 

Groups Protest against Church Construction 

5 | INDONESIA In late March, several hundred demonstrators protested 

against the construction of Santa Clara Church in Bekasi, West Java, 

Indonesia. Although the church had a building permit, the protestors 

claimed that the church manipulated the application process to obtain a 

construction license. However, the mayor responded strongly by stating 

that he has no intentions of revoking the permit. As the situation escalated, 

protestors began to throw rocks at policemen who were guarding 

the church; the police then responded by releasing tear gas. The situation 

became so severe that a priest who was present was asked to leave 

the site for his own safety. 

Authorities Prevent Easter Attack in Pakistan 

6 | PAKISTAN In 2015, two churches in Pakistan’s Christian neighborhood of 

Youhanabad were bombed, killing more than 20 people shortly before Easter. On 

Easter Sunday of 2016, radical Muslims attacked Gulshan e-Iqbal Park in Lahore, 

Pakistan, where many families were gathered to celebrate the holiday. More than 

70 people died in this attack. Leading up to this year’s Easter holiday, Christians 

in Pakistan braced for the worst. 

By the grace of God, a major terrorist attack was foiled by authorities, including 

the Pakistan Rangers and police forces (pictured). After receiving a tip, 

authorities raided a terrorist cell, during which they killed a militant and arrested 

two of his aids. According to Pakistan’s military media wing, the group was 

planning to carry out an attack in Lahore on Easter. Authorities also discovered 

a stash of weapons, including suicide jackets, during their search of the terrorists. 



Pakistani police officers. 

7

Your Dollar$ at Work 

ICC Provides Aid to Displaced Families in Upper 

Egypt After ISIS Carries Out Kill List in El-Arish 

Coptic Christians in Egypt. 

Suffering Wives & Children 

I 

n February 2017, ISIS published a 

chilling video in Egypt, promising 

to eradicate Christians living in the 

Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Soon after, 

the militants started executing Coptic 

Christians living in El-Arish based on a 

kill list. Within one month, seven Coptic 

Christians were targeted and killed in the 

city. Most were shot in public or in their 

homes in front of their families. City 

authorities allowed the killings to go on 

unpunished, emboldening perpetrators to 

continue their spree. 

With the looming threat of terror and 

no hope for government intervention, 

entire communities were pushed out of 

El-Arish and forced to restart their lives 

elsewhere; many still have no intention 

of returning home. An estimated 150 

families were affected by the terror. As 

these Christians fled, they left their personal 

belongings and income behind. The 

need for assistance is great. 

Thankfully, ICC was able to provide 

some relief to the displaced families. 

Thanks to our donors, we provided 

school books for displaced children as 

well as food aid packages for the seven 

widows whose husbands were executed. 

We will continue to fund short-term and 

long-term projects in order to aid these 

hurting families. Satisfying needs such 

as food, housing, and small businesses 

could make all the difference for families 

that have otherwise lost the hope for survival. 

This work could not be done without 

the generous support of our donors. 





Assistance to Fulani Victims 


F 

ulani militants targeted five Christian villages 

in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria, 

killing and injuring several residents, burning 

their property, destroying their crops and 

stealing their food. Many of the survivors 

were displaced and had to seek refuge in 

camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). 

At least 110 Christian families reside in 

an IDP camp in Kaduna State, but they lack 

access to adequate resources necessary for 

survival. When ICC discovered the incident, 

we prepared and delivered baskets of goods 

to each family with all of the basic necessities 

to provide food to everyone for at least one 

month. Additionally, we provided clothing to 

801 children, 160 women and 113 men, since 

they had to leave everything behind. 

Although we were able to meet their immediate 

need, we are still searching for a longterm 

solution to help the families. Victims 

depend on the generosity of others to survive 

in the camp, since the majority of them 

worked as farmers prior to the attack, but no 

longer have access to their land. 

Let’s continue to pray that these families 

can safely return home to farm their lands. 

ICC Opens First 

Business in 

Qeraqosh 

Community Rebuild 

B 

efore ISIS invaded, Yas was an agricultural 

engineer. His office was located 

in Qeraqosh and his work revolved around 

providing farmers with the necessary seeds, 

compost, insecticides, and steroids to properly 

tend to their land. He was and is the only person 

from Qeraqosh with this skill set. 

Now that his home has been cleared of radicals, 

Yas has returned to Qeraqosh to rebuild 

his business and life. ICC provided Yas with 

the necessary funds to restart his business, the 

first to reopen in Qeraqosh. “I am working 

10-15 percent from what I used to work before 

ISIS, but thank you for helping me,” Yas told 

ICC, “I never thought that I will see Qeraqosh 

again so for now I am so excited to be back.” 

Yas is starting by selling vegetable seeds 

and pesticides. There is much work ahead of 

Yas and the rest of the returning Christians, 

but thankfully ICC has been able to help support 

the return of this Christian community to 

their homes. 



9


Assisting 20 

Underground 

Pastors in Iran 

Underground Pastors 

P 

astors in Iran face severe challenges. As 

Christians, they endure constant persecution 

simply for their faith. As pastors, they 

are forced to work, minister, and spread the 

Gospel covertly. Many pastors are poor and 

have the added burden of working to provide 

for themselves and their families, which limits 

their ability to minister effectively. 

To help alleviate this burden, ICC has 

been supporting 20 underground pastors since 

2015. Our support is critical in furnishing 

Bibles, supplies, and other Christian literature. 

Additionally, these pastors are able to provide 

basic necessities for their families which 

allows them greater opportunity for ministry. 

The reward is substantial. We continually 

receive reports that new believers are brought 

to Christ through dreams that reinforce the 

Gospel message that was shared by these 

pastors. 

Reaching North 

Korea with the 

Gospel 

Broadcasting the Gospel 

N 

orth Koreans are victims of a dictatorship 

that has stolen their freedom and indoctrinated 

them with false ideas of how they should 

function in society. Unfortunately, Christians in 

North Korea are some of the most vulnerable 

victims in the world. Spreading the Gospel is 

nearly impossible for fear of neighbors or even 

family members spying on them and reporting 

their activity to the government. 

In order to reach the lost, ICC produces 

radio shows every day that transmit the Gospel 

and other Christian content into North Korea. 

Prayerfully, we will be able to expand these 

shows to air for a longer period of time each day 

and reach more people with the Word of God. 

Though the North Korean government tries to 

jam broadcasts, the Gospel is transmitted to millions 

nationwide, bringing life to those who are 

trapped. Please pray that God continues to bring 

people to salvation through these broadcasts. 

Businesses for 

Joy in Jesus 

Families 


A 

l-Shabaab targeted Joy in Jesus Church 

in 2014, killing at least seven members 

of their congregation during a single attack. 

The families of these victims not only lost a 

loved one, but some of them also lost their 

breadwinners or helpmates. Through God’s 

grace, ICC developed a project which will be 

implemented in phases to provide long-term 

assistance for these families. 

First, ICC helped both Diana and Florence 

start small grocery shops, so that they can 

support their families and send their children 

to school. Next, we helped Kennedy Ochieng 

by purchasing a motorbike to drive customers 

around town, similar to a taxi. Unfortunately, 

he is undergoing medical treatment at this time, 

but once discharged, he will be able to provide 

for his family again. 

Let’s continue to pray for God’s provision as 

we develop and implement the second phase. 





ICC Funds Small 

Business for Iraqi 

IDP, Martin 


M 

artin 

is a 24-year-old Iraqi Christian 

working on finishing his college education 

in administration and economy. His studies 

were interrupted when ISIS invaded his hometown 

of Qeraqosh in 2014. “For the first five 

days, I was in shock...we were living in a hall, 

when ISIS attacked Qeraqosh, I was preparing 

for the final exams that my future depends on,” 

Martin described. 

Militants stole Martin’s laptop which included 

not only personal documents and photos, 

but also his college textbooks. “My family was 

expecting me to be a physician. I used to read 

on my laptop,” Martin said. 

Martin is an internally displaced person (IDP) 

and was left without the means to complete his 

education. Thanks to your donations, ICC was 

able to provide Martin with a copy shop which 

will enable him to support himself through the 

remainder of his schooling. 



Broadcasting 

the Gospel in 

Afghanistan 

Broadcasting the Gospel 

I 

CC regularly supports a ministry in 

Afghanistan that not only broadcasts the 

Gospel into Afghanistan, but also distributes 

Dari Bibles and other Christian literature 

throughout the country, sells copies of their 

broadcasts, disciples Afghans who respond to 

the broadcasts, and produces Christian videos 

for Afghans to watch. 

Radio is the primary outlet for this broadcasting 

ministry, which produces programs covering 

topics ranging from marriage and family to 

life principles from the Bible. 

Despite the dangerous situation in Afghanistan 

for Christians, the ministry receives numerous 

calls from desperate Afghans. Some beg 

for help to leave the country, others ask for 

help in following God, and others want to 

receive a Bible. Even Muslims from schools 

and mosques call with requests and questions 

about the ministry. 

Clean Water 

for 10 Iraqi IDP 

Families 


I 

n 2014, ISIS invaded Qeraqosh, Iraq, 

driving most of the Christians out of the 

city. Ten families escaped ISIS by fleeing to 

Sulaimanya, a city in the mountains near the 

Iranian border. Without jobs, resources, or a 

community, the families had to stay in tents on 

the property of a Coptic church. 

For two years, these families have endured 

brutally cold winters and hot summers in tents 

without heat, air conditioning, running water, or 

other necessities. Horrified at the living conditions, 

ICC built 10 houses for these families 

before winter’s first snow. 

Several months after building these homes, we 

visited the families and saw the need for clean 

water. We responded to the need and funded a 

water filter and pump for the families to have 

access to clean water. The families are very 

thankful for clean water for washing, drinking, 

and cooking. 

11

Volunteers 

The Power of Prayer and the 

Persecuted Church 

ANYANWU CHARLES 

VOLUNTEER PRAYER TEAM 

Raise Your 

Voice 

JR MOUNT 

VOLUNTEER AWARENESS TEAM 

As part of ICC’s Prayer Team, volunteers 

around the world gather with 

fellow Christians in their communities to 

pray on behalf of the persecuted Church. 

Men and women, young and old, are uniting 

together on behalf the same cause – to 

call out to God on behalf of His children. 

One of these faithful prayer partners is 

Anyanwu Charles. 

Each week, Anyanwu meets with his 

team of prayer partners. They spend up to 

four hours praying for the persecuted. The 

passion that Anyanwu has for supporting 

the persecuted has motivated him to “seek 

for their freedom.” Not only does praying 

for the persecuted help those who are in 

need, it also comes as a blessing to those 

who are gathering in prayer. Anyanwu 

testified to the blessings that service can 

bring, saying that, “[God] is the rewarder 

of every good work.” 

When speaking with partners around the 

world, ICC receives wide-ranging requests, 

from food aid to shelter to educational assistance. 

But the one consistant request is for 

continued prayer. 

Anyanwu understands this and chooses 

to support the persecuted through prayer 

“because they are in need of prayer more than 

any other thing.” 

ICC offers several resources online at 

persecution.org for volunteers to use as 

they intercede for those suffering for their 

faith. 

The first is a prayer calendar that is 

issued each month and offers a prayer 

request for each new day. Second is 

ICC’s weekly prayer emails. These prayer 

emails gather major news stories related 

to persecution from the week and detail 

how supporters can be praying for those 

specific issues. 

The lives of persecuted Christians are 

constantly being changed by the unrelenting 

prayers of their brothers and sisters 

around the world. If you are interested in 

joining ICC’s prayer team, please visit persecution.org 

for more information. 

“He is the 

rewarder of every 

good work.” 

As digital communication has grown more 

and more prevalent in today’s society, 

social media has become an essential tool for 

sharing news. ICC must take advantage of 

this platform to share the stories of persecuted 

Christians around the world. 

As part of ICC’s Awareness Team, volunteer 

JR Mount capitalizes on social media. This 

unparalleled media platform has given Mount 

the opportunity to “reach the largest number 

of potential views at one time” in order to 

reach an expanding audience. Mount says that 

spreading awareness through simple acts like 

sharing a post from ICC’s Facebook or Twitter 

accounts have the potential to “wake a sleeping 

church” and “soften a hardened heart.” 

This quick and effective means of spreading 

awareness is unique in that it has the capability 

to become viral, thus reaching many who 

would otherwise never hear the testimonies of 

the persecuted. Mount encouraged others to 

get involved, saying, “You never know who 

may read it and be moved by the faith of the 

persecuted.” This, in turn, can lead to opportunities 

to share the Gospel when non-believers 

“see the faith and love the persecuted still display 

through the pain of persecution.” 




Looking for a Way to Make a Difference in the World? Join Our Team of Volunteers! 

Many who desire to make difference on behalf of the persecuted Church are not sure how to get started. Volunteers all over the world are making a 

difference within their own communities as members of ICC’s five volunteer teams: Advocacy, Awareness, Office, Prayer, and Special Projects. By 

standing up for the persecuted in countless ways, ICC’s volunteers have played a crucial role in connecting the global Church by bridging the gap 

between the persecuted and the Western Church. It only takes one person to make a difference – are you willing to answer the call? 

United States Capitol building. 

United for Peace 

As an organization that alleviates persecution around the world, it 

is vital for ICC to work with and through international bodies of government. 

ICC regularly issues petitions on behalf of the persecuted. 

Earlier this year, ICC issued a petition calling for the release of 

three Christians imprisoned in Sudan. Volunteers around the world 

advocated on behalf of these imprisoned men by reaching out to 

their friends, families, communities, and churches, both online and 

in person, to gather signatures for the petition. All three of the men 

have since been released. 

A young girl poses with her hands set to pray. 

North Korea Prayer Calendar 

This ministry would not be possible without the faithful prayers of 

supporters around the world. ICC’s volunteer prayer team helps to meet 

this need on a daily basis by praying, both individually and corporately, 

for the persecuted Church. In May of this year, volunteers participated in 

a 31-day prayer campaign for Christians suffering in North Korea. Each 

day, volunteers offered prayers regarding a different aspect of persecution 

in this closed nation. The result was hundreds of Christians around the 

world praying in unison for their brothers and sisters in Christ who have 

been denied religious freedom. 

Volunteer Teams 

1 Advocacy Fight for justice for the persecuted through petitions, embassy calls 

and more. 

2 Awareness Raise your voice for the persecuted Church by speaking in churches, 

writing, and social media. 

3 Office Lighten the load of our staff by helping with administrative tasks. 

4 Prayer Intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, both individually and 

as a church. 

5 Special Projects Volunteer on your own schedule through one-time projects. 



Interested in Serving? 

Online Apply to be a volunteer on our 

website at www.persecution.org under ‘How 

You Can Help.’ 

Phone Want more information? Feel free 

to call us at (800) 422-5441. 

13

The Fall of 

Qeraqosh 

By William Stark 

“You see this street here. It used to take at least an hour to 

drive down this street in the evening. All the shops and restaurants 

along the road would have been full with people. Now, 

there is no one.” 

Dr. Rabee, a Christian from Qeraqosh, Iraq, as he took ICC’s 

regional manager around the remains of Qeraqosh. 

Looking down the empty street, all I could see 

were empty shops, some shuttered, others burned, 

but all with weeds growing through cracks in the 

pavement. As I surveyed what was left of one of 

Qeraqosh’s busiest streets, I was struck by the 

incongruous quiet that blanketed the town — 

everything felt frozen in time. 

How did one of Iraq’s largest Christian towns, 

once home to more than 50,000 and considered a 

Christian refuge, become a ghost town? 

ISIS is the obvious answer. But the simplicity of that answer 

doesn’t explain why the loss of Qeraqosh has so greatly impacted the 

Christians who were forced to flee. To answer that question, we need 

to know the details of how Qeraqosh fell. 

“I remember the first time ISIS attacked,” Fadi, a Christian resident 

of Qeraqosh, told me as we sat in his apartment in Erbil. “The first 

time they attacked, we were able to push them back with the help of 

the Peshmerga [military forces].” 

On June 10, 2014, ISIS captured Mosul and began its push across 

the Nineveh Plains, putting Christian towns like Qeraqosh, Karemlesh, 

and Bartella in the crosshairs. On June 26, trucks flying ISIS flags were 

spotted outside of Qeraqosh, causing many Christians to flee east to the 

safety of Erbil. 

“The Peshmerga had already built defenses around Qeraqosh,” 

Salam Edress, a Christian fighter with the Peshmerga, told me. “The 

Peshmerga used bulldozers to create an embankment on the east side of 

Qeraqosh and had driven trucks with guns to the embankment as well.” 

“We fought with ISIS and were able to drive them away,” Salam 

explained. After driving off ISIS, many Christians returned to Qeraqosh, 

confident that they were protected, at least for a while. 

On August 5 though, everything started to change. “We received 

phone calls from Christians in Sinjar telling us that ISIS defeated the 

Peshmerga and that they were killing men and taking women and 

girls,” Fadi explained. 

At the time, the Christians of Qeraqosh didn’t realize that the men 

being killed and the women and girls being taken were Yazidis, a religious 

minority on which ISIS especially focused their hate. 

Assuming that ISIS was killing and taking Christians, the residents 

of Qeraqosh panicked. To make matters worse, it was rumored that 

ISIS was preparing to attack Qeraqosh for a second time. 

“Everyone was afraid that ISIS would attack again and started to 

talk about fleeing Qeraqosh,” Fadi remembered. “During mass on 

August 6, the church leaders told us that we were safe in Qeraqosh 




“The sound woke me up, so I went 

outside to see what was happening. To 

my surprise, I saw that the Peshmerga 

trucks were leaving the town. When I 

went to the defense embankment, I saw 

the place had been abandoned.” 

– SALAM EDRESS, CHRISTIAN RESIDENT OF QERAQOSH 

and that we should stay.” 

To bolster the church leaders’ claim that they would be safe in 

Qeraqosh, it appeared that the Peshmerga were ready to engage with 

ISIS again. “I remember going to the Peshmerga soldiers who were 

at the defenses and offering to help if ISIS attacked again,” Salam 

recalled. “The Peshmerga officers told me they did not need help and 

told me to go back to the town.” 

Convinced by the church leaders that they should stay in Qeraqosh, 

many of the town’s Christian residents settled in for what would be a 

tense and life-changing night on August 6. 

“Late in the night I started hearing the sounds of trucks in the 

streets,” Salam said. “The sound woke me up, so I went outside to see 

what was happening. To my surprise, I saw that the Peshmerga trucks 

were leaving the town. When I went to the defense embankment, I saw 

the place had been abandoned.” 

Soon, it was discovered that the church leaders, who hours before 



had convinced their followers to stay, were also gone. Feeling exposed 

and fearing that ISIS could appear at any moment, most of Qeraqosh 

fled with nothing more than what they could stuff into over-packed cars 

or carry on their backs. 

As the mass of Christians fled, the road to Erbil became jammed. 

A journey that typically took two hours became an 11-hour, panicfilled 

ordeal. The next morning, August 7, two trucks flying ISIS flags 

entered an almost totally abandoned Qeraqosh and began what would 

become a two-year occupation. 

For the Christians from Qeraqosh, these events have been burned 

into their collective conscious. For them, they were abandoned by 

both the Peshmerga and their church leaders as ISIS was allowed 

to take their homes and livelihoods. For most Christians from 

Qeraqosh, this loss of trust in the people who were meant to lead 

and protect them will continue to be one of the longest lasting and 

most damaging effects of ISIS on their community. 

15

THE 

FORGOTTEN 

MINORITY 

By Sandra Elliot 

Somewhere between 

another Middle 

Eastern genocide and 

Iraqi geopolitics, a 

Yazidi family squats 

in an expired UN refugee 

tent. Three years 

removed from the 

trauma of incursion 

and displacement, 

they sit without international aid; they sit 

frozen, unable or unwilling to return to the 

homes they fled in 2014. 

Kylie Barker is the Executive Director of 

Edge Institute, an educational development 

and relief organization working with Yazidis 

in Iraq. “War takes more than lives,” Kylie 

writes, “It takes livelihoods, it takes normality, 

it robs people of stability. When there is 

no stability, life becomes a constant battle 

just to survive.” 

The Yazidi massacre at Sinjar captured 

international headlines in August of 2014. 

Islamic State militants drove families from 

their homes, shouting, “Allāhu akbar,” and 

promising apocalyptic judgement on the 

‘pagan farmers.’ 

Nearly 40,000 Yazidis fled to the nearby 

Sinjar Mountains during the attack,where 

they faced either the sadistic wrath of 

indoctrinated radicals or dying of thirst 

in the arid landscape. The siege ended 

four months later in December when 

Peshmerga forces backed by 50 US-led 

coalition airstrikes launched an offensive 

against the militants. 

By the end of the massacre and siege, the 

United Nations confirmed that 5,000 Yazidi 

men were executed by ISIS, approximately 

“They are 

literally the 

poorest, least 

educated, the 

least taken care 

of and the most 

abused.” 

7,000 women and children were captured 

for trafficking, and around 350,000 Sinjar 

residents were displaced. 

Across the globe, we mourned for and with 

the Yazidis. We prayed for the homeless, we 

advocated against the exploitation of Yazidi 

women, we obsessed over the injustice. But 

now, three years later, what do we have to 

show for our valiant efforts? 

The Yazidis have been forgotten. They 

are not frozen in time, unaffected by harsh 

weather or a lack of basic necessities— 

they are still exactly where we left them in 

2014, sitting around waiting for the help 

that isn’t coming. 

“They are IDPs (internally displaced 

persons) and UN and big NGOs left 

them pretty much after the first year,” 

Dr. Nemam Ghafouri told ICC. “Sadly, 

because [Yazidis] are not Christian or 

Muslims they don’t receive much help 

from others either, and on the top of all 

these, their own people who live in diaspora 

are not helping much.” 

Dr. Ghafouri is an Iraqi Kurdish doctor 

actively working in rehabilitation and 

women’s health among Yazidi populations. 

She is one of the few working to help this 

forgotten minority. The Yazidi religion and 

people group are confined to the areas in 

which the crisis has taken place, eliminating 

them from international awareness and 

advocacy efforts. Whereas Christians and 

Muslims have a dedicated and global audience 

on their side, the Yazidis stand alone. 

It is important to understand the spiritual 

condition of Yazidis. Unlike displaced 

Christians in Iraq, the Yazidis are truly hopeless. 

While suffering the same temporal fate, 

Iraqi Christians have always maintained a 




grasp on eternity. Testimonies of Christian 

women who escaped ISIS trafficking repeatedly 

showed how they held fast to God, 

how they clung to faith in their persecution. 

Yazidi women had nothing. In the darkness, 

their god did not comfort them. 

The level of spiritual disparity for these 

women is unimaginable. 

When captured and enslaved by militants, 

Yazidi and Christian women were locked up 

in abandoned buildings used as makeshift 

sex cells. They were sorted out by age and 

selected by ISIS officers, who were 50-70 

years old. According to the Islamic State, a 

girl as young as nine years old is eligible for 

marriage. “Marriage,” in this sense, means 

being repeatedly raped and abused by captors 

until they grow tired of each bride and pass 



Photo by ICC Regional 

Manager, William Stark 

A Yazidi boy plays outside 

of his tent home in a 

northern Iraq IDP camp. 

her along to the next militant. In one reported 

case, a young Yazidi woman was forced to 

undergo surgery to “restore her virginity” 

each time she was married off to 20 different 

fighters. 

Since 2014, many women and children 

have escaped and returned to their families 

in northern Iraq. They came back bearing the 

scars and children of Islamic State fighters. 

“We all know what ISIS has done to the 

Yazidi women in particular,” ICC’s regional 

manager, William Stark, explained, 

“Bringing these girls back into their communities 

is really challenging.” 

Putting aside the psychological trauma 

and daily reminders of enslavement, Yazidi 

women are also socially ostracized from their 

own communities. “ISIS babies” is a very real 

and often used term among Yazidi families. 

The climb up the mountain of rehabilitation 

has only just begun. 

“As a community, they’re so traumatized 

right now,” Stark explained, “They’re not 

able to think about the future beyond dayto-day 

survival at this point. The big question 

that they face now is who will lead 

them back home.” 

Throughout their history that traces back 

to ancient Mesopotamia, Yazidis have known 

and borne persecution in a particular manner. 

Their defense strategy is to lay low and wait 

while the world blows up around them. This 

is Iraq after all. 

Unfortunately for the Yazidis, ISIS wasn’t 

just passing through the Nineveh Plains. 

With ISIS, the violence was directed toward 

them and not around them. Now that the 

storm has passed and Sinjar is liberated, 

Yazidis are still reverting back to their old 

defense mechanisms, that is to lay low and 

wait for some outside agency to move them 

forward again. 

“In northern Iraq, I really can’t think 

of anyone who more fits the ‘least of 

these’ paradigm than the Yazidis,” Stark 

explained. “They are literally the poorest, 

least educated, the least taken care of and 

the most [abused].” 

There may be something at hand for us, 

as the global Church, to seriously consider. 

When God called Jonah to the plains of 

Nineveh, Jonah refused for fear of the 

pagans and their ‘wicked’ ways. He feared 

the Ninevites, but also feared for his pride 

were they to actually turn to God. He fled 

by boat only to have God step in. When 

Jonah finally obeyed God and arrived at 

Nineveh, he found God already working 

among the people there. 

Maybe the Nineveh of today is not so 

unlike the Nineveh of Jonah’s time. We can 

never predict the Lord’s next great Gospel 

move, but we can trust that where great suffering 

exists, great redemption is at hand... 

physical and spiritual redemption. 

ICC, in its aid efforts to Christian IDPs, 

has also reached out with a helping hand 

to the suffering Yazidis housed in the same 

camps. We have provided medical care and 

food aid to this forgotten minority. We do 

this because Jesus taught us to. When we 

love and provide for the least of these, when 

we give physical means of survival, we pray 

God will use this to set off a spiritual revival 

among the lost and suffering Yazidis. 

17

THE 

RETURN 

As coalition forces have successfully driven Islamic State militants from 

Christian villages, many question the timeline and possibility of return. 

By William Stark 

“ 

There’s really no hiding 

the fact that this 

is a Christian town,” 

I said to Dr. Rabee 

as we drove past the 

enormous cross that 

marks the entrance to 

Qeraqosh, once one of 

the largest Christian 

towns in northern Iraq. 

“We loved living here because it is one of 

the few places where we were among our 

own people,” Dr. Rabee explained. “This is 

what’s left.” 

Surveying the Damage 

As we drove further into town, the scars 

of war and years of ISIS occupation were 

everywhere. Homes and businesses were 

burned, looted, or both; spent bullet casings 

covered many of the streets; Christian icons 

were defaced; and in some instances, entire 

neighborhoods were leveled by airstrikes. 

The extent of the damage was overwhelming. 

After a few minutes of driving, Dr. Rabee 

pulled over and we got out to walk among 

some of the Christian homes burned by ISIS. 

As I looked down the street, it seemed like 

every other home had been burned or damaged 

in some way. Few were left unmarked. 

Before traveling to Qeraqosh, I had read 

reports about the destruction and had even 

seen pictures, but seeing the destruction firsthand 

was shocking. As we entered the first 

home, stepping over the charred plaster and 

broken glass, it was hard to imagine the building 

would ever be someone’s home again. 

“You can see they used some chemical to 

burn the houses,” Dr. Rabee said as he pointed 




to the burn marks on the wall and the bowl 

of some unidentified substance on the floor. 

“They did this to many houses as they were 

driven out of the town. But they were not able 

to burn all as it takes time and effort to do this 

sort of damage.” 

Although Dr. Rabee was right about this 

point, the scale of the damage and the number 

of homes that had been burned, intentionally, 

was still terrible. It was obvious that 

ISIS did not want the Christians of Qeraqosh 

to return home. As we walked from house to 



The road entering Qeraqosh, Iraq. 

house, the devastation of the homes burned 

by ISIS was only outdone by those completely 

leveled by airstrikes. 

“Would you like to visit some of the churches?” 

Dr. Rabee asked me. “You can see how 

ISIS used them while they were here.” 

As we got back into the car, I asked 

Dr. Rabee the question that is on so many 

people’s minds. “Are Christians going to 

come back to Qeraqosh?” 

“Yes,” Dr. Rabee simply replied. “As long 

as they are able to have three things: security, 

water, and electricity. If they can get these 

things, many people will return.” 

As we drove to one of Qeraqosh’s churches, 

I contemplated Dr. Rabee’s answer. Are 

Christians really going to return to the battered 

remains of Qeraqosh? Will the government 

provide Christians with the things they 

need to feel safe and rebuild their lives? If not, 

who will step in? 

As these questions crossed my mind, the 

car stopped at the front gate of the church. 

“This used to be where my family wor- 

19

A desecrated statue of Mary at St. Jacob’s Church in Qeraqosh, Iraq. 

shiped,” Dr. Rabee said. After entering the 

church, we stepped into an inner courtyard 

covered in spent bullet casings, burned books, 

and numerous Christian statues and icons 

defaced in a variety of ways. 

Looking over the scene, I quickly noticed a 

distinct organization to the mess. “Looks like 

ISIS used this as a shooting range,” I pointed 

out to Dr. Rabee, who silently agreed, as he 

put his hand on what used to be a pulpit. “They 

must have used this inner courtyard as some 

training facility.” 

Entering the church, the blackened and graffiti-covered 

walls, burned pews, and desecrated 

altars bore quick witness to the hatred of the 

building’s most recent occupants. It seemed 

like ISIS left nothing untouched. Every icon 

was defaced. Every cross was broken. Every 

book was burned. All that remained was a 

burned out shell that used to be a church. 

Liberation from ISIS 

“How was Qeraqosh retaken?” I asked Dr. 

Rabee. He thought for a moment and replied, 

“How about you ask the general about that.” 

“General?” I asked. 

“Yes, the general of the NPU,” Dr. Rabee 

said. “They were part of the forces that liberated 

Qeraqosh. He would be able to tell you 

how the town was retaken.” 

The Nineveh Plains Protection Unit, or 

NPU for short, is a Christian majority militia 

that the central government recognized 

in January 2015. Armed and trained by the 

central government, the NPU is mostly comprised 

of Christian internally displaced persons 

(IDPs) seeking to take their communities 

back from ISIS. 

Upon arriving at the NPU headquarters in 

Qeraqosh, I was quickly taken to the office 

of General Jwad Sekarya. Sitting behind his 

desk, smoking a cigarette, he offered me tea 

in the gruff, no nonsense way associated with 

old military men. 

“The fight to retake Qeraqosh started on 

October 21, 2016,” General Sekarya told me. 

“The NPU were working in the area when the 

government forces started. We were called in 

to provide local knowledge and act as guides 

for government units.” 

“We were able to retake the town in seven 

days,” General Sekarya reported. “When the 

operation started, we saw ISIS start burning 

the homes. The speed of the operation helped 

“We loved living here 

because it is one of 

the few places where 

we were among our 

own people. This is 

what’s left.” 

– DR. RABEE, QERAQOSH RESIDENT 

limit the damage ISIS caused.” 

When I asked the general how his troops felt 

while retaking Qeraqosh, his answer was mixed. 

“You could say it was the most shining day of 

our lives,” General Sekarya said. “But when we 

saw the damage, especially the burning of the 

homes, we were very sad. Still, we are a persecuted 

minority in Iraq, so many expected worse.” 

With Qeraqosh and many other Christian 

areas in the Nineveh Plains retaken, the NPU 

has shifted its focus to protecting these liberated 

towns. Stationed at checkpoints around 

these areas, the NPU is able to maintain control 

over who comes in and out. 

Returning Home 

As we left Qeraqosh, I began to reflect on 

the challenges facing the many Christians 

who intend to return to the town. There is no 

running water, electricity is spotty, many of 

the town’s buildings are damaged, and there 

is always the lurking fear that ISIS, or another 

group like it, could strike again. It was hard to 

imagine returning to a place like this. 

But that’s the truly astonishing thing about 

Qeraqosh and those who lived there. Instead 

of attempting to leave Iraq as refugees, many 

of the Christians are returning and taking on 

the challenge of rebuilding their lives and 

their community. The last time I talked to Dr. 

Rabee, he happily reported that 37 Christian 

families had moved back to Qeraqosh with 

more returning every day. 

As I thought about these families returning 




to Qeraqosh, I remembered an interaction I 

had with an old Christian woman as Dr. Rabee 

and I were leaving the town. Walking down 

a deserted street, this old Christian woman 

had a look of joy and contentment that was in 

complete contrast to her surroundings marked 

by emptiness and destruction. 

When I asked her why she looked so happy, 

she replied, “I am back in my community and 

can breathe again.” 

When I asked her about the challenges of 

electricity and water, she laughed. “When I was 

young, we didn’t have electricity and running 

water. The important thing now is that we are 

coming back to our homes and community.” 

Thinking back to this interaction and the 

news that more Christian families are returning 

to Qeraqosh, I am still amazed by their 

resilience. This is just one of the qualities this 

community possesses that I believe makes 

them an important part of the global Church 

deserving of our compassion and love. 

1 Makeshift tank used by ISIS during their occupation of Qeraqosh 

2 General Sekarya of the Nineveh Plains Protection Unit 

3 ICC walks through the ruined streets of Qeraqosh 

2 

1 

3 



21

THE JOURNEY OF 

IRAQ’S CHRISTIANS 

he crisis in Iraq has defined a 

T generation as the country hasn’t 

known stability since 2003. Even 

prior to the war in 2003, the people 

of Iraq suffered under the iron 

fist of then authoritarian dictator, 

Saddam Hussein. Now, Iraqi citizens, 

Christians in particular, long for the 

days of Saddam Hussein, as their 

homes and lives have been destroyed 

by war and radical Islamic terrorism. 

In 2014, ISIS graced the stage of 

Iraq, preaching hate and conquering 

large swaths of territory, particularly 

in the northern Nineveh State. They 

declared a self-proclaimed caliphate 

and forced an extreme form of Sharia 

law on those who didn’t escape. Their 

crimes have been labeled genocidal 

by many in the international community. 

At times, we wondered if 

Christians and other minorities might 

face total extinction in the region. 

Thankfully, ISIS’ reign is coming 

to an end as coalition forces are 

defeating their strongholds and 

pushing them out altogether. With 

the curtains falling, we can now 

start to fully examine the carnage 

of war and occupation in Iraq. 

3.4M 

INTERNALLY 

DISPLACED 

PEOPLE 

IN IRAQ 

2017 

s coalition forces drive ISIS out of Iraq, the question on many people’s minds is, ‘What will Iraq’s Christian IDPs 

A (internally displaced persons) do now that their towns are being freed from ISIS?’ ICC staff on the ground in Iraq 

surveyed 496 Iraqi Christian IDPs (completed, handwritten responses) that would gauge their intent to return home and 

their opinion on Christians’ future in Iraq. ISIS has destroyed these IDP families’ homes and livelihoods. The 

research ICC is undertaking is crucial to providing the most effective rebuilding assistance to these families. 

International Christian Concern 

IDP SURVEY 

Survey responses from former Qeraqosh residents: 

36% 

27% 

37% 

Can the Iraqi government create a safe and 

stable environment for Iraqi Christians? 

44% 

26% 

30% 

Is there a future in Iraq for Christians? 

43% 

40% 

17% 

The only way for the country to be 

stable is with foreign assistance. 

44% 

44% 

12% 

I will return to my home 

if it is liberated from ISIS. 

Agree Neutral Disagree 

02 04 06 08 01 00 




Islamic State (ISIS) Territorial Losses 

Between January 2015 and February 2017 

ISIS-controlled areas 

as of Feb. 2017 

ISIS territorial 

gains in 2016 


losses in 2016 


losses in 2015 

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As 

it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out 

of the world. That is why the world hates you.” 

John 15:19 (NIV) 

1.5 M 

250K 

Iraq Christian 

Population, 2003 

Iraq Christian 

Population, 2017 

35K 

0 

Mosul Christian 


Mosul Christian 

Population, 2017 (EST) 

50K 

200 

Qeraqosh Christian 


Qeraqosh Christian 

Population, 2017 

24M 

12M 

Middle East Christian 

Population, 1900 (EST) 

Middle East Christian 

Population, 2017 (EST) 



23

Iraq 

ICC’s Work in 

Since ISIS launched its first attacks in 2014, ICC 

has actively worked with partners in Iraq to bring 

immediate relief to ISIS victims, but now is shifting 

focus to help families rebuild their communities. 

By Amy Penn 

In 2014, ISIS stormed onto the international 

stage with merciless rage, intent 

on establishing an Islamic caliphate in 

the Middle East. Militants punished any 

group that challenged their authority – 

who can forget the 21 Christian men in 

Libya executed in orange jumpsuits like 

criminals because their faith contradicted 

ISIS? 

After almost three years of fighting, 

ISIS is slowly crumbling, but the destruction left 

behind is immense. Families have nothing to restart 

their lives. Since ISIS’ initial attacks, ICC has actively 

led projects and initiatives to serve those displaced 

and is now becoming one of the leaders in reviving 

the destroyed areas. Progress is slow, but hopeful. 

Immediate Relief 

Between June and August 2014, ISIS scattered 

Christians from areas like Mosul and Qeraqosh, 

Iraq’s city with the largest Christian population. 

As Christians fled from warnings of “convert to 

Islam or die,” they felt hopeless. Families like 

Karam’s and Rana’s confessed, “We believe it’s 

the end of Christians in Iraq. All of us will leave.” 

Unfortunately, Iraq was not ready for the internally 

displaced persons (IDPs) crisis it now faces. 

Within weeks of Qeraqosh’s fall, ICC had several 

representatives on the ground to interview Christians, 

investigate the living conditions, and plan useful 




ICC has set up small stores and 

businesses for Christian IDPs 

displaced by ISIS. 

ICC distributes aid to an IDP camp. 

An Iraqi IDP works at her sewing shop. 

A Christian farmer works his field in Qeraqosh. 



25

Feature Article 

Young Christian IDPs received brand new coats to face the 2015 winter. 

projects to provide immediate relief for IDPs. 

As we traveled through areas like Erbil, we 

saw schools repurposed into temporary housing, 

tents scattered throughout the city, and 

too many people crammed into small areas. 

These temporary housing structures lacked 

mattresses, blankets, pillows, and food as most 

IDPs left home without basic necessities. 

We began finding and working with partners 

to determine the best means of relief, 

including hiring in-country representatives 

to implement the projects quickly and 

safely. One of the most critical issues was 

preparing IDPs for winter. Contrary to conventional 

wisdom, Iraq does get very cold. 

For example, one of the IDPs’ safe havens, 

Sulaymaniyah, has average winter temperatures 

between 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

In 2016, Sulaymaniyah had snow before 

some places in the United States, such as 

Washington D.C. Most IDPs had no winter 

clothing, blankets, or heat sources and were 

unprepared to battle winter in their tents. 

We also needed to prepare IDPs for summer 

when temperatures rise to over 100 degrees 

Fahrenheit. Most had no fans, air conditioning, 

or refrigerators to keep their food cold, 

thus making them vulnerable to heat stroke, 

heat exhaustion, and other related issues. 

After our initial visit, we began implementing 

a series of relief projects between 2014 

and 2015 with the goal of providing immediate 

relief for Christian IDPs and refugees. 

We met more than physical needs. The 

relief projects also cared for spiritual, 

psychological, and emotional suffering as 

basic supplies helped restore the dignity 

and hope of men, women, and children 

who had lost everything. Without hope, it 

would be impossible for these families to 

push through such difficult circumstances. 

One family expressed, “Thank you for 

thinking about us and for taking us in during 

this difficult situation.” Another family 

admitted, “We are hopeless; thank you for 

bringing hope to us.” 

Time to Rebuild 

With the recent developments in ISIS’ 

downfall, it’s now time for the Church to focus 

its assistance to target the long-term needs of 

Christian IDPs. Sustainable development must 

occur for Christians to rebuild their homes, 

businesses, and communities. 

ISIS’ dominance is shrinking as coalition 

forces drive ISIS militants from their 

strongholds. In October 2016, Iraqi forces 

liberated Qeraqosh from ISIS’ control, but 

few people returned. Between Qeraqosh’s 

destruction and ISIS’ continued control of 

Mosul, few Christians felt safe returning to 

their homes. 

Coalition forces are gradually forcing 

ISIS militants out of Mosul, creating a 

safer environment in surrounding areas like 

Qeraqosh. However, driving ISIS out of 

Qeraqosh and Mosul will not fix the other 

problems. 

What do families have to return to? What 

is standing? Is there infrastructure to start 




ebuilding? Will Qeraqosh, once the Christian 

capital of Iraq, remain a ghost town? Even 

though they don’t control the area anymore, 

will ISIS militants still have won if no one 

returns? 

There are a few Christian families that 

refused to surrender and leave. Yas is an agricultural 

engineer who fled Qeraqosh when 

ISIS invaded, leaving behind a thriving 

business and community. His agricultural 

expertise and business were a life source 

for many people in Qeraqosh whose livelihoods 

surrounded agriculture. Without Yas, 

there was no place for people to buy seeds, 

insecticide, fertilizer, etc. When he fled, 

others had to leave as well. 

During their absence, Yas and his wife 

wanted to return and rebuild their home. 

She told her husband, “[I would] rather 

have just water and bread in Iraq than 

immigrate [anywhere else].” However, 

they needed more than food and mattresses 

to turn their desire into reality. According 

to Yas, “I would be there again if there was 

water and electricity.” 

This year, we funded a small business for 

Yas to help him open another agricultural 

shop in Qeraqosh. By providing the building 

and supplies, we brought more people 

than Yas’ family home. Citizens who are 

farmers or dependent on agriculture now 

have a supplier to get their farms back and 

running. With Yas’ business established, 

other Christians now have access to the 

supplies necessary for their own livelihood. 

Funding one business enabled many 

other families to return. 

We are also supporting other Christians 

Iraqi IDP boys play soccer to pass the time. 

“[I would] rather have 

just water and bread 

in Iraq than immigrate 

[anywhere else].” 

– YAS, QERAQOSH RESIDENT 

like Yas who desire to return. Our priority is 

to find businessmen and women who are the 

backbones of the community. As we send core 

businesses (like agriculture) back to Qeraqosh, 

we are creating the necessary infrastructure to 

accommodate other families’ return. So far, 

we have funded six small businesses for Iraqi 

Christians returning home, with additional 

businesses planned. 

Food, water, and clothing are still important 

elements in rebuilding places like 

Qeraqosh. Long-term projects, however, 

are increasingly more vital. Security, electricity, 

and water are now the three most 

pressing needs. Results will not occur 

overnight, but small businesses and other 

infrastructure projects create the foundation 

for sustainable redevelopment. 

Progress has already begun. Yas contacted 

ICC last month to excitedly report 

that 37 families have already returned with 

more moving back every day, including 

a number of families who are dependent 

on agriculture. These families could only 

return if they had access to the supplies 

necessary for their livelihood — supplies 

that only Yas’ store can provide. 

“Life is coming back…we will build the 

city again,” rejoiced Yas. 

ICC Projects with 

Iraqi IDPs 

We provided 

$185,000 in 

crisis relief 

supplies, 

including 

bedding, food, 

clothes, and 

heaters. 

We set up 

a small car 

washing 

business for 

Martin so 

that he could 

better support 

his family. 

We provided 

70 food and 

hygiene 

parcels to 

displaced 

Yazidi people 

living in 

proximity to 

Christians. 

We built 10 

homes for 

IDP families 

who had 

been living 

in tents for 

more than two 

years after 

displacement. 

2014-2016 

We provided 

Bibles and 

other Christian 

literature to 

Iraqi Christian 

small groups 

experiencing a 

flood of IDPs 

seeking hope. May 2015 

November 2015 

November 2016 

November 2016 

We built a 

water pump 

and filter 

for families 

living in the 

previously 

built caravan 

homes. 

March 2017 



27

You Can Help Today! 



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© Copyright 2017 ICC, Washington, D.C., USA. 

All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce all 

or part of this publication is granted provided 

attribution is given to ICC as the source. 

International Christian Concern (ICC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (all donations tax-deductible). 

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July 2017 Persecution Magazine

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