Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Al-Qaeda in Iraq threatens Kurdish Christians
Security, Religion
(Chawder) - A statement attributed to "Al-Qaeda" has warned Kurds against converting to Christianity or Zoroastrianism, the Kurdish weekly "Chawder" reported on May 14. The newspaper did not say whether the statement was issued by the Islamic State of Iraq. No insurgent group operating in Iraq uses the name "Al-Qaeda." The statement, circulated in towns in Al-Sulaymaniyah Governorate, said the group is "hunting down those who have converted" to the two religions "and destroying them." Local Christian leader Luqman Khadir Muhammad said the church "welcomes [Al-Qaeda's] decision if they decide to kill only us and not harm the people in markets and other places," the daily reported.
Labels: Al-Sulaymaniyah, Christianity, Kurds, Zoroastrianism
