Iraq Improves Security for Its Christian Minority and Its Churches

Iraqi authorities have ramped up security outside of Christian churches across Baghdad and in two Christian towns in the northern province of Nineveh as Iraq's Christians come under increased terrorist attack.

According to the Associated Press:

A series of church bombings targeting Iraq's Christian minority killed at least four people Sunday, including one that happened as worshippers were leaving Mass in eastern Baghdad. Iraq's Christians have often been targeted by Islamic extremists, and many have fled the country despite an overall drop in violence in the last two years.

Fearing car bombs, authorities imposed vehicle bans in Tilkaif and Hamdaniyah. Both are predominantly Christian towns near the northern city of Mosul, where an Iraqi soldier was killed Monday when a bomb attached to his private vehicle exploded, police said.

Curfews were also imposed in Tilkaif and Hamdaniyah, reports Agence France Press.

Since the United States' 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, Iraqi Christians have come under attack. Church leaders, according to AFP, estimate that 250,000 of Iraq's 800,000 Christians have fled Iraq for safer surroundings.

Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi has petitioned Iraqi Christians not to flee Iraq and has called on the international community to help protect Christians from extremists.

In the United States, Congress has moved to do more to protect houses of worship too. The Senate recently passed Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which included $20 million dollars to protect high-risk nonprofit organizations, such as Jewish groups, from attack. United Jewish Communities applauded the bill, saying nonprofits have experienced a rise in threats since 9-11.

The move to increase security resources for target-rich nonprofits comes after the deadly shooting at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the foiled plot to bomb two Jewish synagogues in New York City.

The appropriations bill is expected to pass after the House and Senate reconcile minor differences between the bill's two versions, reports HS Today.

♦ Photo of car bomb aftermath in Iraq by s1lang/Flickr