The Yazidis have a monotheistic religion, where the Peacock Angel is the leader among seven divine creatures. At least 5,000 of them were ruthlessly slain, 6,000 women and children were enslaved, and hundreds of thousands were displaced between 2014 and 2017.

Iraq’s Assyrian Christians are members of a native Mesopotamian community comprising of early converts to a Syriac form of Eastern Christianity. The ancient Mesopotamian culture portrays a rich heritage of folklore, tales, songs, and crafts restored throughout centuries. Iraq’s national museums and libraries displayed the Assyrian Christian legacy throughout the 20th century. ISIS marked their homes in Mosul, and they were forced to either pay jizya – a tax that non-Muslims have to pay -or flee or be killed.

Every other Muslim group apart from Sunni Islam suffered severe persecution under ISIS, especially Shiites. They were considered heretics and murdered in large numbers. Even though Shiite Muslims are a majority in Iraq, they are a minority in Mosul and the northern part of the country, which Sunni Islam conquered.

ISIS destroyed churches and shrines, cultural establishments and ancient heritage sites, including the city of Nimrod. Terrorist leaders killed everyone who tried to preserve these ancient gems. Around 400,000 Yazidis and 200,000 Christians were also banished from the area between 2014 and 2017. The terrorists wanted to make sure that memories would be erased so future generations could not learn about them. Their destructive attacks left the Yazidi vulnerable, mainly because they had little written literature. Their traditions had been passed down orally, as most community members were illiterate. 

Iraq is trying to rehabilitate itself in collaboration with International Christian Concern. They help find displaced people, aid them in returning home, and rebuild their communities.

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com/