12/27/2019 Iraq (International Christian Concern) – The Catholic Church of Divine Wisdom in Baghdad was nearly invaded in a hostile takeover attempt yesterday.
Details remain scarce. Security footage of the invasion show that an Islamic leader was present amongst the invaders, who attempted to open the gate and remove the cross. Locals and security forces successfully prevented the invasion. According to Steve Nabil, a Christian Iraqi journalist, the invaders may not have been Iraqi as they were speaking in the Lebanese Arabic dialect.
The incident came the day after Christmas and amongst the midst of ongoing protests in Baghdad. Part of the protesters’ demands are an end to foreign involvement in the country which incite sectarian strife. The potential foreignness of the invaders would be an example of what the protesters are demonstrating against. But regardless, the incident shows how Christians must keep alert this Christmas season even as the protesters are calling for equal rights.
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