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The past few decades have been very hard on Christians in Iraq. Economic and political uncertainty, coupled with large-scale persecution that culminated in the rise of the Islamic State, led to a massive exodus which reduced the Christian population from over 1 million to between 150,000 and 250,000 today.

“We are building the character of the students to be leaders in society, taking responsibility and developing a plan to remain in this country.”

The extremists sprayed anti-Christian graffiti on the walls of the nearby Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.The slogans, some in German, read: “O, you [expletive] slaves of the Cross, we will kill you all… You dirty people, you do not belong here.”

“So many Christians are leaving Iraq because of the uncertainty of the situation and the loss of confidence in the future. The roots and seeds of Christianity are in the East. Our prayers and our hope are that they will be watered and nurtured.”

“The kids were excited when they came to pick up their rosary. Then they all, about 90, gathered on the altar to pray a decade.”

“We wonder, who cares about us and our suffering, as we are citizens among the people of this country.”

“The decision to make Ankawa a separate district will, we hope, be an important step forwardfor the future of Christianity in Iraq.”

“It is definitely true that the mentality of ISIS still exists in Iraq and Syria among certain parts of the population.”

“Our goal was to offer young people a place of reconciliation and healing after being displaced by ISIS and living for so many years as refugees.”

“Our life is not without risk, but life won’t stop, risk or no risk. We have to keep going.”