Canadian Faith Leaders condemn threats to minorities in N. Iraq

Canadian Friends Service Committee and Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends joined with other faith leaders in a statement outlining their concern for religious minorities in Mosul, Iraq, in particular the persecution of Christians.

In the statement, faith leaders say:  “We uphold the right of all religious minorities, throughout the world, to be free to express and practise their faith, and to have this right respected by government and by other religious groups. The lifting up and enforcing of Dhimmi, an ancient understanding of Islam that treats Christians and Jews (among others) as second-class citizens, and presents them with the options of conversion, paying Jizya (a poll tax for non-Muslims) or death, is an unacceptable infringement of religious freedom. We call upon all people of good will to join us in condemning these actions.”

CFSC’s Care to Care maternal and child health project (which completed in 2012) offered training to medical professionals in Erbil, less than 100 kilometers from Mosul in Iraqi Kurdistan.  We think of our partners and of all in the region, praying for an end to violence and respect for the human rights of all.