Church bombing in Iraq reveals the vulnerability of Christians

Story photo by Tamra Hays: Iraqi
 church. [Cover photo from Google
 Maps]

Iraq (MNN) ― A car bomb shattered hopes for peace during Ramadan. It exploded outside a church in central Kirkuk, Iraq on August 1.Officials say 23 were wounded in that attack. The blast damaged the church as well as neighboring structures, police noted.

Since 2003, attacks by insurgents and religious extremists against Christians have driven more than half of Christians out of the country, leaving a remnant church, says Carl Moeller, president and CEO of Open Doors USA.

More violence is likely. Moeller explains, "When a church is bombed like this in Iraq, or anywhere else, we have to look at those precipitating opportunities. Here, on the very first day of Ramadan, to have a church bombed in a country that is known for violence against Christians, I think there's an opportunity to link those two things together."

Ramadan is the 30-day annual Islamic fast which began August 1. From dawn till dusk, Muslims seek to shed their sins through acts of restraint as they believe this is a time of purification accomplished through good deeds and self-control.

There are concerns that the fervor stirred may expose Christians to an increased risk of persecution in Muslim-majority countries. "The fact is: the extremists in that country are still bent on extermination of the church," Moeller says. "I think the animosity is always there, the daily pressure is always there," he addds," but during Ramadan in particular, we see a heightened intensity of those that are extremists against Christians."

Describing Monday's attack as normal sectarian violence versus a connection to Ramadan specifically is hard to differentiate because the ideology is the same. "Predisposition of violence in a country like Iraq means that the expression of that hostility against Christians is going to take the form of church  bombings, or kidnappings or killings of Christians."

According to Open Doors, some governments in Islamic countries forcibly enforce observance of Ramadan, and extremist groups increase their vigilante activities against both non-abiding Muslims and non-Muslims, tending to become more intolerant toward them. But it's not all bad, says Moeller. "During Ramadan when Muslims are praying and intensely seeking God during this spiritual month for them, we can pray that the Spirit of God penetrates the lives of Muslims."

At the same time, the remnant church sees this time as an excellent opportunity to share the hope of Jesus. "The church itself, in these situations, sometimes actually grows stronger. That doesn't mean it grows larger, necessarily, but it does grow stronger, that those who are strengthened by the Holy Spirit are able to stand with greater conviction."
 
Pray for protection for Christians during this time of upheaval and danger. Pray for wisdom as they respond to the fear surrounding them. "They are the ones who end up witnessing to neighbors who look at their situation and ask, ‘Why?' They get a chance to testify to the reality of Jesus Christ in their life."