Newsfeed
Kurdistan’s Christians attend first church services since lockdown lifted
Author: Bilind T. Abdullah
Publication Date: 18/5/2020
Source: Rudaw
Christians in the Kurdistan Region were able to attend their first Sunday services in almost two months after coronavirus containment measures imposed on places of worship were lifted earlier this week.
Mosques were immediately reopened when the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) lifted the restrictions on Monday, allowing Muslims to hold their first mass prayers of the holy month of Ramadan.
Christians 'afraid to return' to northern Iraq
Author: Madoc Cairns
Publication Date: 2/4/2020
Source: The Tablet
Although Islamic State has been defeated in northern Iraq, the “Islamist mindset” that persists in the region has made Christian refugees from the region “afraid to return”, according to one of Iraq’s most senior Catholic Bishops.
Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Najeeb Michaeel Moussa of Mosul and Akra told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need that although Christians in Iraq remain active and hopeful about the future, the ancient Christian presence in the region, already much diminished by years of war and persecution, is threatened by a resurgence of Islamic extremism.
ISIS tried to destroy this church, now Muslims and Christians join hands to rebuild
Author: Emily Judd
Publication Date: 17/5/2020
Source: Al Arabiya
As many churches around the world face dire financial straits and struggle to survive due to the coronavirus pandemic, one church is rising from the ashes in the most unlikely of places: former ISIS territory.
ISIS, which ruled the Iraqi city of Mosul from 2014 to 2016, damaged or destroyed every church in the city including the “Our Lady of the Hour” Church, also known as Al Saa’a Church.
Sisi congratulates Egyptian Christians abroad on Easter Sunday
Publication Date: 16/4/2020
Source: Egypt Today
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Thursday congratulated the Egyptian Coptic Christian communities abroad on Easter Sunday, which falls on April 19th. For Christians, it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Lebanon’s Christians return to Mass — under social distancing guidelines
Publication Date: 10/5/2020
Source: Crux Now
Lebanon’s churches have welcomed worshippers for the first time in nearly two months.
Most churches were closed to the public to limit the spread of coronavirus, but Lebanese authorities have started easing restrictions that were imposed in March.
Churches and mosques are now permitted to welcome worshippers for congregational prayers on Sundays and Fridays as long as capacities are limited and other safety guidelines including social distancing measures are respected.
Al-Azhar Sheikh says proud of Muslim-Christian ties in Egypt
Publication Date: 19/4/2020
Source: Egypt Today
Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Egypt’s highest Islamic authority congratulated Christians in the northeastern African country on Easter Sunday, and said he appreciates the bond of “brotherhood and love” between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.
Christians remain vital to Iraq, says U.S. lawyer who advises Chaldeans
Author: Dale Gavlak
Publication Date: 29/4/2020
Source: Catholic News Services
An American lawyer instrumental in aiding Iraqi Christians suffering from attacks by the Islamic State group said Christians remain a vital part of Iraq’s diverse society, despite their diminishing numbers.
Stephen Rasche is a recognized international expert on persecuted Christians and has served as counsel to the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Irbil, in northern Iraq, since 2010.
Muslims and Christians share Ramadan spirit in Cairo
Author: Mohamed El-Shamaa
Publication Date: 2/5/2020
Source: Arab News
CAIRO: Christians in Cairo have been sharing Ramadan traditions and rituals alongside their Muslim neighbors, including donating to charity and enjoying iftar meals at sunset.
Lebanese Christians and Their Role in the Middle East: A Conversation with Habib C. Malik
Author: Habib C. Malik & Robert Nicholson
Publication Date: 10/3/2020
Source: Providence
In a conversation with Philos Project President Robert Nicholson, Habib C. Malik discussed what makes Lebanese Christians unique, the country’s role in the Middle East, US foreign policy oversights, Christian engagement with Islam, and advice he would give to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Coronavirus forces Egypt’s Coptic Christians to celebrate easter at home
Publication Date: 19/4/2020
Source: Egypt Independent
As Egypt stems the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the country’s Coptic Christians and eastern orthodox churches have been forced to celebrate Easter on Sunday within their homes amid the closure of monasteries and churches.
