Increasing fear among Syria’s Christians, says priest
August 14, 2015
Christians in central Syria are increasingly fearful after forces of the Islamic State abducted 230 Christian and Muslim residents of al-Qaryatayn, a local priest told Aid to the Church in Need.
“Does ISIS intend to negotiate and let the people go free, or does it intend to kill them? We don’t know,” said Father Jihad Youssef. “Normally they give Christians three options: they pay the Jizya tax, they convert to Islam, or they must leave the place. The last option was evidently not offered, or the Christians would have left.”
“Many people are thinking of leaving their homes, or even leaving the country,” he added, as the Islamic State expands from northeastern Syria to the central part of the nation. “The fear is growing.”
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Further information:
- ISIS abducts as many as 160 Syrian Christians: 'fear is growing' (Aid to the Church in Need)
- Syria: Christians kidnapped, in flight as Islamic State advances (CWN, 8/1)
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