Religious Tolerance In Iraq Waning

December 12, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Middle East Times

http://www.metimes.com/Security/2008/12/12/religious_tolerance_in_iraq_waning/bcd1/

Iraq is turning into a hostile region for religious minorities as the country moves closer to becoming a Muslim nation, Christian leaders said.

Attacks in northern Iraq attributed to various agents hit the Christian minority community in early October, forcing nearly half of its population to flee to surrounding areas and nearby Syria.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki responded, dispatching national security forces to restore calm to the northern city of Mosul.

David Alton, a cross bench member of the British House of Lords, addressed a delegation of concerned Christians convened by Aid to the Church in Need. Alton noted he was calling on Iraqi leaders to do more to examine the violence against minority religious groups in the country, the organization said.