The rise of Christian persecution is making headlines around the world. Now, a conference at the United Nations aims to come up with viable solutions to the enemy’s murderous agenda.
“Not Peace but a Sword—The Persecution of Christians in the Middle East: A Threat to International Peace & Security” will set out to prove how persecution of Christians in the Middle East is a threat to international peace and security.
The Engr. Aja Eze Foundation is hosting the event on April 17. Speakers include Jonathan Cahn, Rick Scarborough, Bill Federer, Brigitte Gabriel, Lt. General (Ret.) William “Jerry” Boykin, Mario Bramnick and Kevin Jessip.
With the rise of ISIS, opposition to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection, and a civil war in Syria, all eyes are on the Middle East. Indeed, a wave of conflicts in the Arab world could have far-reaching consequences on Christianity.
The fate of the regions religious minorities is of grave concern. The mass exodus of Christians who have been an integral part of the Middle Eastern mosaic for centuries, is especially troubling.
“A century ago, Middle Eastern Christians represented about 20 percent of the population. Now they represent about 4 percent. In Iraq there were about 1.4 million Christians in 1990. Now there are about 200,000,” says Chris Mitchell, Middle East Bureau Chief for CBN and author of Destination Jerusalem. “The head of the Catholic Chaldean Church in Kurdistan said Iraqi Christians have ‘little time left.’ The personal stories are heart wrenching.”
In his letter to Christians of the Middle East, Pope Francis asked a pointed question: “How much longer must the Middle East suffer from the lack of peace?”
Francis went on to say: “We must not resign ourselves to conflicts as if changes were not possible. May the entire church and the International Community become ever more conscious of the importance of your presence in the region.”
The bottom line: Christians must address the persecution of fellow believers in the Middle East. Conference organizers believe today’s complacency is tomorrow’s captivity—and silence is not an option.
“We stand in solidarity with the Christians of the Middle East,” the Engr. Aja Eze Foundation said in a statement. “The aims and objectives of this panel discussion are to discuss the emergence of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and related intolerances as a threat to international peace and security; to highlight the mass genocide of Christians that is taking place in the Middle East; to bring it to the attention of the United Nations and to highlight the security implications of the emergence of ISIS to International Peace and Security and the role that education can play in building bridges of peace between the faiths.”
Of course, aims are one thing. Outcomes are another.
The Engr. Aja Eze Foundation expects this conference will lead to: the initiation of a resolutions by the United Nations Security Council; General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Protection of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East; the investigation by OSCE of the “Christianophobia” in the Middle East; the appointment by the president of the United States of America of a Special Envoy for the protection of Religious Minorities in the Middle East and an International Day of Prayer in solidarity with Christians of the Middle East.
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