Faith
Christian Voices Silenced in Iraq’s Parliament
Faith Facts
- Iraq reserves five parliamentary seats for Christians, but a loophole allows non-Christians to decide their representatives.
- The Babylon Movement, though labeled Christian, is primarily Shia Muslim and supported by Iranian interests.
- The system change in 2009 opened minority seats to all voters, undermining genuine Christian representation.
The influence of powerful groups has left Iraq’s Christian minority without true representation in parliament. Seats meant to uplift Christian voices are now controlled by non-Christian interests.
Manipulation of the electoral process undermines Christian values and erodes the voice of believers longing for justice and freedom. This disregard for genuine representation violates both political and spiritual integrity.
“The quota has been snatched from us. In Mosul there is no competition within Christian parties because the candidates belong to the same party – to the Babylon Movement.
Even if 1,000 Christians vote, the party will bring another 3,000 votes from non-Christians and win. So non-Christians decide for Christians when it comes to their representatives.
It’s misery for us.”
“The outcome of the current elections is already known. The elections are only symbolic for the international community to show that it’s a democratic process.
After every election it is clear to us that the candidates and winners are agreed upon earlier. Most of the current representatives of Christians don’t represent us and the very few who are left don’t have any authority to make any change.
If the elections are corrupted and get the international community’s approval, this will again lead to another four years of theft, commissions and corruption.”
Christian believers must unite in prayer and action, upholding faith and justice for the persecuted church worldwide. Stand firm in the face of injustice, and advocate for the freedoms that God has granted to all His children.