Families return home to Karamles 'day after day'

Hope remains in Karamles, Iraq, where more people are returning every day, according to Father Thabet who was among the first to return less than a month after Karamles was liberated from Islamic State (IS) militants, one year ago. But the return of families to Christian-majority towns like Karamles has been slowed because of the continuing fear of IS and uncertainty caused by the Kurdish referendum.

Hope remains in Karamles, Iraq, where more people are returning every day. That's the message from Father Thabet, the church leader who was among the first to return.

Speaking from his church, which is being restored after damage from IS occupation, Father Thabet said, “We are here in our house, our home, our town, in our identity. The number of families increases day after day. This creates in us big joy.”

Father Thabet returned to Karamles less than a month after the town was liberated from Islamic State (IS) militants, one year ago. For other families from Christian-majority towns like Karamles returning is not such an easy decision.  Many still fear for their safety – because of the threat from IS, but also the effects of the recent Kurdish referendum.

The September vote on independence for Kurdistan caused some Christians to put their plans on hold. Karamles and other towns in the Nineveh Plains are not technically in Kurdistan but the Kurds want it to come under their governance. Christians in the area are split over the independence issue and there’s a growing fear that they are on the verge of another civil war. But according to Pastor Thabet, “The referendum was the 25 September. The returning families stopped for a few days but they continue now.”

Father Thabet is very glad to be home and sees a positive future for Karamles. He said, “If the international community and Iraqi government will be with us, to protect our rights, to protect our identity as Christians, the future will be very, very good.”

Please continue to pray about the situation in Iraq, especially that there would not be more violence in the wake of the independence vote.

BRING HOPE TO THE MIDDLE EAST

If you would like to support your church family in Iraq and the Middle East, there are four things you can do today:

• Pray. Pray for the the families who have returned, and those who are planning to return soon, for strength and provision. Pray for energy and wisdom for Open Doors partners working to support believers in Iraq. Ask God to continue to use His church in Iraq as a light in the darkness.
• Give. Every £25 could go towards rebuilding a home or setting up a family in employment in Iraq.
• Speak out. Sign the Hope for the Middle East petition, calling for equality, dignity and responsibility for Christians and other minorities in Iraq and Syria. Ask others to sign it too.
• Tell your church. Order a free Rebuild Hope pack, full of ideas and resources to help everyone in your church, of whatever age, to connect with their church family in the Middle East.