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Iraq: Christians fear proposals that "will make Iraq like a theocracy" and make Christianity in Iraq "just a memory"
ISIS has largely been driven out of northern Iraq, where most of that nation's Orthodox Christians lived up until the upheaval of the last two decades, but this has not led to relief for Iraq's Christians. On top of the new threat to Christians from Shia "Popular Mobilization Units," there is now a move to place Islamic legal scholars on Iraq's Federal Supreme Court, and giving them effective veto power. This would make Iraq a virtual Sharia state and gravely imperil the legal standing of the nation's Christians in areas where Christian practice differs from the strictures of Islamic law.
An internationally protected safe zone for the Christians of Iraq is urgently needed. Please continue to pray for the Christians of Iraq, and that these Iranian-backed Shia militias, on top of every other group that has targeted the Christians, will not succeed in bringing about the extinction of Christianity in that nation.
"Christians in Iraq fear proposals to have Islamic leaders on judiciary in court," by Cara Bentley, Premier, August 10, 2019:
Christians in Iraq are worried that Islamic leaders could given voting rights in the Federal Supreme Court through a bill being debated in Iraq's legislature.
The proposed change would involve four Islamic scholars sitting on the Federal Supreme Court's 13 member judiciary – with all decisions requiring the support of at least three of the four Islamic clerics.
The court is meant to be independent and interpret the constitution and also be the final court for appeals.
Iraqi Christian activist and constitutional expert Professor Muna Yako told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need that although Iraq's constitution describes Islam as the foundation of its law, it also stressed the importance of democracy and human rights.
Professor Yako said the proposed change to the Federal Supreme Court in Iraq could mean that Shari'a law would always take precedence.
She said: "You need to have the court to interpret the constitution. Right now, I hope that if a case goes to the Federal Court they might prioritise human rights and democracy, in some instances.
"If, however, these Islamic jurists join the court, we will have no chance of ever prioritising democracy or human rights."…
Professor Yako said: "The Iraqi government has disappointed us so far, but I still have hope of seeing change. If the court adopts this law, though, I will no longer have any hope.
"This will make Iraq like a theocracy because all the laws will be based on religion – for example, rules about clothes and alcohol."
She added that if the change happens, more Christians will leave Iraq and "we will become just a memory, just like the Jews".
Patriarch Louis Raphaël I Sako, head of the Chaldean Church, also opposed the move.
In a letter to the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, he wrote that the proposal could threaten the future of Christians in the country "after all the suffering we have endured from terrorism, displacement, pillaging, murder and property theft"….
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While about 30 percent of the world's population identifies as Christian, 80 percent of all acts of religious discrimination are directed at Christians.
Source: International Society for Human Rights
Christians face persecution in more than 60 Countries.
Source: U.S. State Department
Millions of Christians face interrogation, arrest, torture, and/or death because of their religious convictions and cultural/ethnic identification.
Source: Open Doors USA
Between 2007 and 2014, Christians have been targeted for harassment in more countries than any other religious group.
Source: Pew Research
Christian responses to persecution are almost always nonviolent and, with very few exceptions, do not involve acts of terrorism.
Source: Under Caesar's Sword
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