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WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 13, 2009) International Christian
Concern (ICC) has learned that the body of a kidnapped
5-year-old Christian boy was discovered riddled with
gunshots in Iraq on May 11.
Tony Adwar Shaweel was kidnapped on March 5, 2009 by an
unknown group who demanded a ransom of $50,000.
In a statement to ICC, Juliana Taimoorazy, president of
the Iraqi Christian Relief Council, said, "/On Sunday,
May 10th, Christians in Chicago prayed in solidarity
with their brothers and sisters in Iraq for peace and
especially for the safe return of the kidnapped.
Unfortunately, the following day, on Monday, the
community was notified of the discovery of his body. The
Iraqi Christians in Chicago are mourning the loss of yet
another one of their own.
The identity of Tonys kidnappers and murderers is still
unknown. However, Christians in Iraq have been
increasingly targeted by criminal gangs, Islamic
extremists and other armed groups as part of a broader
strategy to drive the Iraqi Christian population from
country. Despite these appalling conditions, the media
rarely reports violence against Christians in Iraq
Taimoorazy said, "What we need is for the American
government to take notice of this dire situation. We are
demanding that the State Department work on passing
legislation which would ensure the protection of the
Chaldo-Assyrian Christians in their own homeland. We
want to live peacefully side by side with the other
citizens in Iraq. This situation has long gone
unnoticed. We implore the international community to pay
attention and unite in helping the sons and daughters of
those who gave so much to civilization over 6,700 years
ago.”
ICC's Regional Manager for Africa and the Middle East,
Jonathan Racho, said, "This latest unconscionable act
indicates the deteriorating situation for Christian
minorities in Iraq. It is also a clear sign of the
danger that all Iraqi Christians face in the country. We
call upon the Iraqi and the United States government to
put an end to the systematic extermination of Christians
from Iraq. Please pray for the family of Tony and all
the persecuted Christians in Iraq.
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