Iraq

Where Persecution Comes From

In Iraq, numerous groups contribute to Christian persecution. Radical movements such as the Islamic State (IS) group target Christians and other religious minorities for kidnappings and killings. Islamic leaders slander Christians in mosques, leading to further persecution. Government officials, both national and local, have threatened Christians, “encouraging” them to leave the country. Political parties who hinder pluralism also contribute to the persecution of Christians in the public space. Moreover, Christians from Muslim backgrounds face serious pressure from their clans, families and communities, who will sometimes go so far as to try to kill them. At the same time, within Christianity, leaders of historic churches have sometimes thwarted official recognition of newer Christian denominations.

How Christians are Suffering

In central and southern Iraq, Christians usually avoid the public display of religious symbols for fear of harassment and discrimination at checkpoints, universities, workplaces and government buildings. Some Christian organizations are threatened with kidnappings and attacks by Islamic militants. Christian believers, especially those who are outspoken, experience discrimination from authorities and non-Christian leaders, with blasphemy laws sometimes used against them if they witness to Muslims. Converts from Islam often keep their faith a secret to avoid persecution from those around them, sometimes losing their rights to inheritance or marriage.

Examples

During the most recent World Watch List reporting period, several incidents of Christians from Muslim backgrounds being physically attacked or tortured by their families for converting to Christianity from Islam were recorded.

In May 2017, Middle East Monitor recorded an incidence of hate speech by one of Iraq’s most senior Shiite clerics, who publicly stated that Christians, Jews and other religious minorities must “convert to Islam, pay the religious tax (jizya) or be killed.”