Iraqi legislation requires children to become Muslims if either parent converts to Islam

November 11, 2015

The Iraqi parliament has approved a new law that will require children in non-Muslim families to convert to Islam if one of their parents converts.

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako led protests against the new law, which he termed “unacceptable” and a flagrant violation of the Iraqi constitution. The Chaldean prelate led a protest meeting in Baghdad, attended by Christians and representatives of other minority faiths.

“Leaving aside the fact that a parent betrays his bond with his children, it is unacceptable that this implies the second party is deprived of the opportunity to fulfill the promise made and keep their religious faith,” the Patriarch said.

The new law is a threat to national unity, because is demonstrates a “total disregard for the values of the civilization of Iraq” and is an affront to some of the nation’s oldest communities, the Patriarch continued.

In October, Christian representatives in parliament suggested an amendment to the law, which would have allowed children to retain their original religious affiliation until reaching the age of 18, and then choose their own faith. That measure was defeated.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Baghdad, Christians and Muslims take to streets against the law Islamization children (AsiaNews)
• New Iraq law to force Christian children to embrace Islam (ACN)
• Large participation in the protest against the law on the Islamization of minors (Fides)