Islamic State destroys convent in Mosul

Last updated on: November 27, 2014 at 11:02 am by CNA Daily News

Islamic State destroys convent in Mosul 2014-11-27T11:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Mosul, Iraq, Nov 27, 2014 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Local media are reporting that on Monday, Islamic State militants blew up a convent and St. George's parish in Mosul, an Iraqi city captured by the Islamists in June.

A resident of Mosul said “that cries of Allahu Akbar ‘God is Great’ rose from many mosques in the city as Islamist militants blew up the church located in one of Mosul’s Arab neighborhoods,” Rudaw, a Kurdish media outlet based in Erbil, reported Nov. 24.

Abouna.org, a site run by Fr. Rif'at Bader of the Latrin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, reported that the convent was the Sisters of the Holy Heart's Monastery of Victory, in Mosul's Arab Quarter.

The nuns of the convent, also known as al-Nasir, had fled Mosul in June, according to the BBC.

Islamic State is a caliphate in portions of Iraq and Syria, which has persecuted all non-Sunnis in its territory – Christians, Yazidis, and Shia Muslims have all fled the area.

Thousands of Christians and other minorities fled Mosul after a July 18 ultimatum demanding they convert, pay jizya, or be killed. They went to other towns in Nineveh province and in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Prior to the destruction of al-Nasir convent and St. George's church, other non-Sunni places of worship and historical or cultural sites had already been destroyed.

Churches have been taken over for use by Islamic State, with their crosses removed, or they have been destroyed entirely. Shiite mosques have been demolished.

The tomb of the prophet Jonah, on which a mosque was built, was blown up by Islamic State in July.

According to Rudaw, Monday's destruction in Mosul is in retribution for recent military setbacks to Islamic State.

Both the Syrian regime and a US-led coalition frequently bomb Ar Raqqah, a prominent Syrian city held by Islamic State. Airstrikes killed nearly 100 people in the city on Nov. 25.

Islamic State has displaced well more than 100,000 Christians from their homes.

The Catholic charitable organization Aid to the Church in Need has launched a fundraising appeal “United in Faith” for the Christians of Iraq and Syria who have become refugees.

The British branch of the charity is hosting an Advent Carol Service at St Mary Moorfields Church in London on Dec. 2 in order to raise awareness of the suffering of Iraqi Christians and to offer prayers and donations.

Middle East - Africa

Previous Post

November 27, 2014

Pope's Philly trip could be a turning point on US marriage front

Next Post

November 27, 2014 Pope: don't be depressed – despite our ugly reality, we have hope

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Psalm prophesies the coming of the Messiah being rejected?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalm 137 Psalm 51 Psalm 1 Psalm 118