Iraq

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- Iraqi Christians are facing crucifixions, torture and sex slavery in areas controlled by the Islamic State group, but at least some of them have forgiven those who persecuted them, according to testimonies seen by BosNewsLife.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- Friends expressed relief Wednesday, July 16, after five Christians, including two nuns and three orphans, were released in Iraq by Islamic militants, but concern remained about the future of Iraq's dwindling Christian community.

By Joseph C. DeCaro, BosNewsLife International Correspondent with BosNewsLife Middle East Service BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- Christians in northern Iraq mourned a Christian father and his 6-year-old daughter Wednesday, November 17, after they were killed in a bomb attack, the latest in a string of strikes against the country's dwindling Christian population.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service KIRKUK, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- Iraqi Christians and Muslims on Tuesday, May 31, prayed for an end to violence and released doves "for peace" in the northern city of Kirkuk, where police found the mutilated body of a kidnapped Iraqi Christian, catholic news agency AsiaNews reported.

By BosNewsLife Amercas and Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (BosNewsLife)-- Iraqi diplomats, Christians and religious groups were among those expected to attend a prayer vigil Monday, February 14, in front of the White House to support "persecuted Christians and religious freedom for all in Iraq," organizers said.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- An influential Anglican leader in Iraq said Saturday, August 24, he was thinking of the Bible's warning not to be alarmed amid warfare as dozens of people were killed nearby in the capital Baghdad, while neighboring Syria was rocked by apparently new chemical weapons attack revelations.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (BosNewsLife)-- A Christian member of the European Parliament has urged the European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, to make more rights for Egyptian Christians, also known as Copts, a policy priority and to develop an EU strategy for religious freedom.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- Minority Christians were among those reminded of bloodshed Tuesday, December 8, as a wave of car bombings rocked the Iraqi capital Baghdad, killing at least 118 people and wounding over 200 others. It was the worst violence to hit Baghdad, since October, when two massive car-bombs killed 155 people.

(ADDS COMMENTS FROM CANNON WHITE) By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)- The Church of Iran, one of the country's largest house church movements, strongly denies "false reports" that its Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been executed but says it is concerned for his safety.

By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest with Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Millions of Christians around the world were expected Sunday, November 13, to participate in the 'International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church' (IDOP), amid mounting concerns over a global crackdown on devoted believers.