Iraq

Key Facts:
Leader: President Jalal Talabani
Population: 26.8 million (1.5% Christian)
Majority Religion: Islam
Type of Government: Parliamentary democracy

Religious tensions continued to rise in Iraq during 2006. Open Doors' workers reported increased violence specifically against Christians.

Many Iraqis see the West as Christian, and assume that Christians are collaborators.

In 2006, several Christians were murdered, abused or kidnapped.

Churches have been fired upon and bombed, demonstrations were held and threats expressed towards non-Muslims in Baghdad.

Many Iraqi Christians have fled.

Prayer

• Pray for protection over Iraqi believers
• Pray for safe printing and distribution of Bibles and other Christian materials to Iraqi Christians
• Many church leaders are leaving the country. Pray for encouragement for the Christians left behind
• Ask God to grant peace and security to Iraq's people.