Source: www.persecution.org
Date: August 16, 2024
Middle East (International Christian Concern) — As religious tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate and Israel’s war with Hamas rages on, Christians caught in the middle are preparing for another potential conflict.
The region that has become accustomed to unrest and instability is preparing for yet another increase in religious violence as Israel and Iran approach possible war. Historically, Christians in the Middle East have experienced intense persecution during times of conflict.
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, special envoy of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, claims that war between the two nations is inevitable. Those who live in the shadow of the conflict fear for their lives. International Christian Concern’s (ICC) partners in Iraq are wondering when bombs from Iran will hit and whether their families will be safe as they sleep.
“Christians have been in such a difficult situation in Iraq since 2003 with the uncertainty of their future in this country,” said an ICC partner in Iraq, which shares a border with Iran. “Any tension in the region will negatively affect the Christian presence, especially when they form less than 1% of the total population.”
The influence of the trauma of such instability cannot be understated. According to a study conducted by the BMJ, “The threat of harm intensifies exposure to psychological trauma. Continuous exposure to trauma is associated with mental health problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional dysregulation, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.”
For many years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has come under criticism for its oppressive regime led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Apostasy is punishable by death, leading Christians to build a dynamic and dangerous underground church network. The conflict between Israel and Iran runs deeper than power politics. The religiously free state of Israel insults the agenda of radical Islam. In many countries like Iraq and Lebanon, tenuous freedom for Christians could be threatened if Iran gains influence in the region.
ICC works in communities in the Middle East that are affected by the pain of past conflicts and the potential of future ones. As we come along those who suffer for Christ in the Middle East, the most profound impression made is not one of sorrow but one of resilience, even as they face the start of another war.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for protection for the countless families caught in the crossfire. Pray for peace in this region. Pray for the gospel to transform hearts across the Middle East.