Iraqi churches used as Islamic State prisons

The Iraqi city of Mosul was once a majority-Christian city, but is now an Islamic State (IS) stronghold, where militants have repurposed deserted church buildings as prisons.

Fides news agency reports that detainees were held at the ancient Chaldean Church of the Immaculate Conception in the eastern part of the city, having been blindfolded and handcuffed.

St George's monastery has also allegedly been used as a female detention centre.

Reports circulated last week that the nearby convent of the Chaldean Sisters of the Sacred Heart had been bombed by IS militants.

Several other Christian churches, Yazidi shrines and Shiite mosques have also been demolished by the group that has declared a caliphate in large parts of Iraq and Syria.

Almost all of Mosul's Christian inhabitants were driven out in June, given the choice of conversion to Islam or death.

related articles
ISIS makes Mosul\'s Christians pay $250 poll tax amid economic hardships
ISIS makes Mosul's Christians pay $250 poll tax amid economic hardships

ISIS makes Mosul's Christians pay $250 poll tax amid economic hardships

Key Iraqi Christian leader: \'ISIS is worse than Genghis Khan\'
Key Iraqi Christian leader: 'ISIS is worse than Genghis Khan'

Key Iraqi Christian leader: 'ISIS is worse than Genghis Khan'

France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians
France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians

France ready to offer asylum to Iraqi Christians

Iraqi Christians pray close to front line of Islamic State attacks

Iraqi Christians pray close to front line of Islamic State attacks

Global day of prayer to focus on Christians in prison for their faith
Global day of prayer to focus on Christians in prison for their faith

Global day of prayer to focus on Christians in prison for their faith

Prince of Wales condemns \'grotesque and barbarous assault\' on Middle East Christians
Prince of Wales condemns 'grotesque and barbarous assault' on Middle East Christians

Prince of Wales condemns 'grotesque and barbarous assault' on Middle East Christians

Islamic State destroys historic church in Mosul
Islamic State destroys historic church in Mosul

Islamic State destroys historic church in Mosul

News
What we can learn from Mary of Bethany
What we can learn from Mary of Bethany

Dear reader, what would it look like for you to be a Mary of Bethany in this day and age?

Why the world needs more women like Dullari
Why the world needs more women like Dullari

In the UK, gender equality conversations often focus on pay gaps or female representation in leadership, but in Nepal the struggle is far more basic. It is whether a girl can go to school, whether a woman can seek medical care without permission from her husband, and whether she can live in her own home without fear.

Fresh drive to reach 100,000 girls with anti-trafficking programme
Fresh drive to reach 100,000 girls with anti-trafficking programme

An international charity has committed to reaching 100,000 girls worldwide who are at risk of human trafficking. 

The story of the Bible’s female leaders
The story of the Bible’s female leaders

8 March is International Women’s Day. In the Bible we can read about the roles that many women played in leadership and ministry. This is the story …