Horror: What Ex-Muslims in Iraq Face After Becoming Christians
Ex-Muslims in Iraq who convert to Christianity face consequences that could range from beatings to kidnappings — or even death. Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), recently joined CBN News’…
Ex-Muslims in Iraq who convert to Christianity face consequences that could range from beatings to kidnappings — or even death.
Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), recently joined CBN News’ “Newsmakers” podcast to explore the various levels of persecution believers face in the southwestern Asian country.
“It really depends on the level of fundamentalism,” King said of the persecution a Christian convert might face. “So, that’s really just the broad gauge. … If it’s a very fundamentalist family, it can be very typical that you are going to be kidnapped and beaten. That would probably be the lowest level, the lowest response.”
He continued, “And then you’d be tortured. It would go up to … weeks of torture and even murder. And it’s typically done, this is so hard for Westerners to understand, but it’s typically done by the family.”
Listen to King explain on the “Newsmakers” podcast:
📺 Embedded media — coming soon
Iraq is the 16th most dangerous country in the world for Christians, according to Open Doors’ World Watch List, which ranks countries by the level of intensity of persecution within their borders.
“Anyone who converts from Islam will likely face intense pressure from their families and communities,” an Open Doors explainer reads. “They can be threatened, abused, lose family members, pressured or even killed. Conversion can have practical consequences as well, including loss of inheritance and lack of opportunity.”