The Most Dangerous Place in the World for Christians

Canon Andrew White, known as the "Vicar of Baghdad," says Baghdad is the most dangerous place in the world for Christians. He says while conditions in Iraq's capital may be better, overall, he says they're still terrible.

"The two largest Christian neighborhoods of Dora and Karada are now void of all Christians," White said. "They had bullets put through their doors, they had letters warning them to leave, and they were given a choice - either you pay the Jizya tax or you convert to Islam, or we kill you. Of my church in Iraq, I have 1300 members in my church in Baghdad and we have only six men left. All the rest have been kidnapped or killed."

He says they serve Jesus in the midst of dismal circumstances.

Many Christians have had to leave their homes. They're now sleeping in churches, including the major Assyrian churches in Karada. They do not have food, they do not have water. They do not have rent money, and so being part of church and the work of church is not just providing a place for them to worship the Almighty. It is providing every need in life.

A Call to People in the West

White points out many Christians have returned to Baghdad simply because they're no longer allowed to stay in Syria or Jordan.

"People in the West should know we cannot survive without their help and their support. We need them at this time," he said. “We are brothers and sisters in Christ. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, these Christians belong to you. They love you and they see that they're part of a community and sometimes they say to me, 'why don't our brothers and sisters in the West help us?' And I say to them, 'I don't know.'"

A Bright Future Ahead

Despite the hard road, White sees a bright future for the Middle East. He says in Isaiah 19, the Bible predicts a holy highway will one day stretch from Egypt through Israel all the way to Assyria or modern day Iraq.

"I think that God is so involved here in this region, and the fact that God in His Son Yeshua Ha Mashiah will come back to this holy city of Jerusalem, we see that this whole region is intrinsic to God's plan and His purpose," he said. "Even though everything is terrible, even though everything we see is awful, I know that ultimately it's in the hands of The Almighty, and it's glorious."

In view of this situation, I urge all of my readers to pray for Christians in Baghdad. They know what it means to suffer for the cause of Christ in a way none of us do. Watching this interview with Chris Mitchell of Christian World News made me realize how easy we Christians in America have life in comparison to those in Baghdad.

2008 April Lorier Perspective