Iraq
From Missiopedia
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Official name: Republic of Iraq |
DEMOGRAPHY
ECONOMY |
LIFE & LIBERTY |
Contents |
[edit] Geography
[edit] Location
- The Republic of Iraq is a country in the Middle East spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran to the east. It has a very narrow section of coastline at Umm Qasr on the Persian Gulf. There are two major flowing rivers: the Tigris and the Euphrates. These provide Iraq with agriculturally capable land and contrast with the desert landscape that covers most of the Middle East. Iraq's rich history dates back to ancient Mesopotamia.
[edit] Climate
[edit] Natural Resources
[edit] Demographics
[edit] Peoples
- Yazidi: The Yazidi are ethnic Kurds whose ancient relgion precedes Islam and Christinity. They venerate the so-called Peacock Angel, which is considered to be the devil by many Muslims and Christians. See for details about this people - Wikipedia.
- The Madan or Marsh Arabs are probably descended from the ancient Sumerians. The Iraq-Iran War and 1991 Shi’ite revolt reduced their numbers in Iraq from 200,000 to 50,000. Their home habitat has been largely destroyed and many have been displaced to Basra and other parts of Iraq. There is no known outreach to them.
[edit] Provinces
- The Cities of Iraq
- The capital city, Baghdad, is in the center-east.
[edit] Life
[edit] Economy
[edit] Government
[edit] Terrorism
- Since an invasion in 2003, a multinational coalition of forces, mainly American and British, has occupied Iraq. The invasion has had wide-reaching consequences: increased civil violence, political breakdown, the removal and execution of former president Saddam Hussein, and national problems in the development of political balance, economy, infrastructure, and use of the country's huge reserves of oil.
- The Iraqi government has organized conferences involving tribal and religious leaders, politicians, and civil society organizations to counter support for terrorist organizations and to promote dialogue between Iraq’s ethnic and religious groups in an effort to decrease violence. Tribal leaders in Ramadi, a volatile city in Anbar province, have banded together and pledged to fight against Al Qaeda instead of the coalition.
[edit] Religion
- Iraq is comprised of 96.9% Muslims and only 1.6% of the population is Christians, other 1.5%
[edit] Islam
[edit] Buddhism
[edit] Christianity
[edit] History
[edit] Churches
- There is a small but growing number of Kurdish Christians in the north of Iraq. Some have been martyred for following Jesus. May these Christians remain strong and united.
- There is a small but growing number of Yazidi believers, in spite of the persecution they are facing.
[edit] Church and State Relations
- Current Iraqi law actually allows Christians to worship freely. Unlike many Muslim countries, Christian holidays and festivities, such as Christmas, are celebrated in Iraq. May a new government not only maintain these things, but also enforce such freedoms.
[edit] Mission
[edit] Persecution of Christians in Iraq
- Iraq is ranked No. 21 among nations that are the worst persecutors of Christians based on Open Doors 2007 “World Watch List.” Although the constitution recognizes Islam as the official religion and states that no law may be enacted that contradicts the established provisions of Islam, it also guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religious belief and practice.
- There have been reports of Islamic extremists kidnapping Christians, including at least nine priests, for ransom. On July 17, 2006, a Chaldean priest was kidnapped in Baghdad and released after two days. On August 15, 2006, a Chaldean priest was kidnapped in Baghdad. He was reportedly tortured and released after a month. On September 16, 2006, a Chaldean priest was kidnapped in Baghdad and released two days later. On October 11, 2006, Assyrian priest Father Paulos Iskender was kidnapped and beheaded in Mosul one week later. He was reportedly targeted in retaliation for statements that the Pope Benedict XVI made in September 2006. On November 19, 2006, a Chaldean priest was kidnapped in Baghdad. He was released after nine days. On November 26, 2006, Protestant clergyman Elder Munthir Al-Saqa from the National Presbyterian Church in Mosul was abducted after leading a Sunday Service at his church that day. He was found dead on November 29. The kidnappers reportedly demanded $1 million in ransom from Elder Munthir's family using his mobile telephone. On December 4, 2006, a Chaldean priest was kidnapped in Baghdad and released after six days. On May 19, 2007, a Chaldean priest was kidnapped in Baghdad and freed after two days. On June 6, 2007, Chaldean priest Hani Abdel Ahad and five other Christians were kidnapped in Baghdad. The five Christians were released after a day, while Father Hani was released in good condition on June 17, 2007. The Chaldean Church confirmed that the kidnappers demanded ransom but declined to comment on the amount. Christian leaders inside and outside of the country reported that members of their Baghdad community, especially in the district of Dora, received threat letters an ultimatum demanding that Christians – pay the humiliating jizya (an Islamic poll tax on non-Muslims), convert to Islam, leave their homes or be killed.
- There are many in Iraq who are taking advantage of the current lawlessness to try to ‘cleanse’ Iraq of all Christians. It is estimated that 75% of the Iraqi Christian population have fled their homes since 1990.
[edit] Broadcasting
[edit] Councils and Networks
[edit] Future Trends
[edit] For More Reading
