Christianity is almost over in Iraq, claimed Canon Andrew White, known as the “Vicar of Baghdad.”
Iraq was the land where Christianity originated and was considered as having one of the world’s oldest Christian populations. But the destruction brought about by Muslim extremist group ISIS is threatening the existence of Christianity in the Middle Eastern nation, reports the Observer.
Speaking in a Fox News interview, Canon Andrew White said, “The time has come where it is over, no Christians will be left. Some say Christians should stay to maintain the historical presence, but it has become very difficult. The future for the community is very limited.”
The Reverend added that the Christians leaving war-torn Iraq share the same sentiment; that they have suffered enough from the jihadists. They proclaimed that they wouldn’t be returning to their homeland. The radical Muslims have persecuted Iraqi Christians through various crimes, including rape, mutilation, kidnapping, and death by burning.
Amidst the growing influence of the Islamic State In 2014, Rev. White was commanded to close Anglican church he was leading, which was the last representation of the Anglican presence in the Iraq.
The Independent UK reports that in 2003, six per cent of the population in Iraq are Christians, or approximately 1.5 million. However, recent statistics from charity, Open Doors, revealed that there are only 250,000 Christians left in the country.
Father Emanuel Youkhana, of the Syrian Church of the East, also echoed White’s prediction that there is no future for Christians in Mosul. When ISIS took over Mosul in 2014, the 35,000 Christians in the area dwindled to 20 today.
Sources:
Observercom. (2017). Observer. http://observer.com/2017/03/vicar-of-baghdad-canon-andrew-white-christianity-iraq/
Independentcouk. (2017). The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/christianity-iraq-finished-says-vicar-baghdad-a7643191.html
