Syrien: ISIS und die Christenverfolgung

Greetings in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace

Syrian Christians have requested our continued intercession for their country following the formalisation of rules of submission by an extremist group in control of the town of Raqqah. The measures include that Christians must pay a special tax, known as jizya, and must conduct their religious rites behind closed doors in places of worship and in ways that are not visible or audible to Muslims. Also, no Christian symbols can be visible. In public, Christians have to abide by Islamic commercial, dress code and dietary regulations.

In addition, they are not allowed to restore or repair any church buildings or monasteries that have been damaged - either by collateral damage in the overall fighting or by deliberate acts of desecration.

The rules were issued by the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) as a contract and had to be signed by Christian community leaders. Afterwards the contract was posted on extremist websites.

The rules formalised the system that is understood to have been operating informally since ISIS took control of the town. The contract gives the Christians the option to either convert to Islam, abide by the stipulations of the contract or be considered enemies of Islam that need to be fought.

At the start of 2011 Raqqah had a population of approximately 300,000, of whom an estimated 3,000 (i.e. 1%) were Christians.

The Syrian crisis continues to defy simplistic classifications. One recent development within the complexity is the recent intensification of conflict between extremist elements amongst the numerous armed groups opposing the government of President Assad. Earlier this week, after an suicide attack ascribed to ISIS killed a senior Islamist leader, the Al-Nusra Front issued a five-day ultimatum against ISIS. The al-Nusra Front demanded that ISIS end its attacks on other opposition groups and accept mediation by a group of clerics. The ultimatum reflects deep-seated concern that ISIS's extremist positions are harming the overall effort to defeat the government. Some sources note that ISIS forces have faced direct assault from other opposition groups in recent weeks.

Syrian Christians request our continuing prayers for their country, asking that:
a.  Christians in Raqqah would know the daily presence, protection and peace of Jesus
b.  Likewise for Christians in other parts of Syria controlled by extremist groups
c.  Syrian Christians, and especially church leaders, will know the Spirit's guiding wisdom
d.  Humanitarian assistance would be provided to those within Syria who are in need
e.  A solution would be found for the Syrian crisis, with all those involved putting the needs, desires and interests of the Syrian people a higher priority than their own agendas.
f.  Those seeking to harm Christians, and others, would know the Spirit's conviction of sin, and seek the Father's forgiveness and new life through the death, resurrection and ascension of the Son.


PS. ISIS is named as the The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in some sources; the difference is due to the fact that in Arabic ash-Sham can mean either Syria or the wider Levant.
---------------------------------
Website: www.meconcern.org
URL of this prayer request: <http://www.meconcern.org/index.php/en/prayer-requests/708-syria-restrictions-on-christians-in-raqqah-formalised>