On April 14, several Iraqi Christians fled from their homes in the Dora district of Baghdad in response to a fatwa issued by an amir (independent Muslim prince or ruler). According to an April 18 report from Compass Direct, the fatwa was enforced by militants who told the believers they would be killed if they did not convert to Islam within twenty-four hours. The fleeing Christians were prevented from taking any personal belongings with them.

Six of the displaced Christian families have since relocated to a church in another area of the city. Several families have also relocated to the northern Kurdish region of Iraq. The cross on the top of St. John the Baptist Chaldean church in Dora has reportedly been removed by militants.

Ask God to protect and provide for the displaced Christians. Pray Iraqi Christians will not give in to fear but stand firm in the faith (2 Timothy 1:7). Pray for peace and security in Iraq and the establishment of a government able and willing to protect the religious freedoms of all Iraqis.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Iraq, click here. A video report on the persecution of Christians in Iraq from VOMC's German partner, HMK, is available on www.persecution.tv.