Changing Christian Demographics by Iran

Dr. Farhad Rezaei is an Ex-Muslim Christian researcher and is currently a Senior researcher at the Philos Project, and teaches at York University in Canada. The Philos Project is a non-profit group that educates and supports the situation of Christians in the Middle East.

Rezaei, an Iranian Kurdish Christian convert, noted that since the 1979 revolution, Islamic leaders in Iran have described followers of religions such as Christianity and Judaism as "socially pollution" and have taken steps to put pressure on Christian and Jewish communities to make their communities smaller out of Iran.

Referring to his research, he said Iran was using demographic change strategies to drive out non-Muslims in neighboring countries such as Iraq and Syria, and that the plight of Christians in the Middle East was "really misunderstood by the West."

Rezaei said during a interview on February 22 that the narrative that only jihadists were involved in persecuting Christians in the Middle East was "too simplistic," and that the influence and actions of Iranian-backed militias against Christians in countries like Iraq had been ignored.

Rezaei noted that in Iraq, Iranian-backed Shiite militias have carried out numerous kidnappings, killings and rapes in recent years. They have also occupied large areas of Christian land, especially in the plain of Nineveh. In all, at least 200,000 acres of farmland have been burned, and militants have attacked at least 75 places of worship, with at least nine church reported uses as military bases.

Asked what the international Christian community could do in the face of the persecution, Rezai said resources should be considered to rebuild Christian communities. He stressed, the Iranian regime should be condemned and punished for its actions.

 

Source and Credit: CNA